HISTORY
According to the 2000 census, the city population was 147,306, and its metropolitan area had a population of 732,117. It is the county seat of Onondaga County and the economic and educational hub of Central New York, a region with over a million inhabitants.
The Heart of New York
It was location that made Syracuse such an important part of the canal route--the city is located smack dab in the geographical center of New York State--and location continues to be a major factor in this city’s appeal. Syracuse is easily accessible from every direction because it stands at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-90 (the New York State Thruway) and I-81. It is within a 350-mile radius of every major city in the Northeast. Unlike many other metropolitan area’s airports, Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport is just minutes from downtown. The new William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center provides bus and train service while the city’s Centro buses and Ontrack commuter trains offer first-rate public transportation. In other words, Syracuse is easy to get to, easy to get around in, and is easily one of the most conveniently located cities in the Northeast.
Early history
Erie Canal at Salina Street, SyracuseThe Syracuse area was first seen by Europeans
when French missionaries came to the area in the 1600s.
The mission was short lived, as the Mohawk Nation hinted to the Onondaga that they
should sever their ties to the French, or the Onondaga's guests would suffer some
horrible fate. The men in the mission caught wind of this and left under cover of a
cold night in March. Their entire stay was less than two years.
Salt was discovered in several swamps in Syracuse, which brought more settlers to the area, and eventually gave the city the nickname "Salt City".
19th century: industrial growth
In 1825, the Village of Syracuse was officially incorporated. Five years later, the Erie Canal, which ran through the village, was completed.
The opening of the canal caused a steep increase in the sale of salt, not simply due to the improved and lower cost of transportation, but because the canal caused New York farms to change from wheat to pork, and curing pork required salt. As salt production climbed, the processing became increasingly mechanized, and local industry became more generalized; population grew to 5,000 by 1850, from 250 in 1820, making it the twelfth largest city in the Union.
Abolitionism and the Underground Railroad in Syracuse
Syracuse became an active center for the abolitionist movement. was known the "great central depot on the Underground Railroad".
Climate
Syracuse is known for its snowfall. Boasting 115.6 inches (293.6 cm) on average, Syracuse continually wins the Golden Snowball Award, among Upstate cities. Its record so far is 192.1 inches (487.9 cm).
One notable blizzard was the Blizzard of 1993, during which 42.9 inches (109 cm) fell on the city within 48 hours, with 35.6 inches (90.4 cm) falling within the first 24 hours. Syracuse received more snow than any other city in the country during this storm, which shattered a total of eight local records, including the most snow in a single snowstorm.
For more information on Syracuse, go to our city's website here: City of Syracuse
S Y R A C U S E
IGBO MY 2009: Syracuse
