Syracuse, New York: Difference between revisions

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In [[1820]], the [[village]] of Syracuse was officially incorporated. Five years later, the [[Erie Canal]], which ran through the village, was created. In [[1839]], Syracuse merged with the nearby [[village]] of Salina to become the [[city]] of Syracuse.
In [[1820]], the [[village]] of Syracuse was officially incorporated. Five years later, the [[Erie Canal]], which ran through the village, was created. In [[1839]], Syracuse merged with the nearby [[village]] of Salina to become the [[city]] of Syracuse.


Along with the growing salt industry, Syracuse became a hot spot for the growing [[abolitionist]] movement. On [[October 1]], [[1851]], a freed slave known only as "Jerry" was arrested under the [[Fugitive Slave Law]]. The anti-slavery [[Liberty Party]] was holding its state convention in the [[city]], and when word of the arrest spread, several hundred [[abolitionist|abolitionists]] broke into the city jail and freed Jerry. The event came to be known as the Jerry Rescue. During the [[Civil War]], Syracuse was also a stop on the [[Underground Railroad]].
Along with the growing salt industry, Syracuse became a hot spot for the growing [[abolitionist]] movement. On [[October 1]], [[1851]], a freed slave known only as "Jerry" was arrested under the [[Fugitive Slave Law]]. The anti-slavery [[Liberty Party]] was holding its state convention in the [[city]], and when word of the arrest spread, several hundred [[abolitionist|abolitionists]] broke into the city jail and freed Jerry. The event came to be known as the Jerry Rescue. During the [[Civil War]], Syracuse was also a stop on the [[Underground Railroad]]. Well-known abolitionist Frederick Douglass made Syracuse his home for four years (1853-1857), and was the first African-American to be elected to a term on the city council.


The salt industry declined after the [[Civil War]], but a new manufacturing industry arose in its place. Throughout the late [[1800s]] and early [[1900s]], numerous businesses and stores were established, including the Franklin Automobile Company, which produced the first air-cooled engine in the world. By [[1920]], Syracuse had a population of more than 210,000.
The salt industry declined after the [[Civil War]], but a new manufacturing industry arose in its place. Throughout the late [[1800s]] and early [[1900s]], numerous businesses and stores were established, including the Franklin Automobile Company, which produced the first air-cooled engine in the world. By [[1920]], Syracuse had a population of more than 210,000.

Revision as of 20:14, 29 August 2004

Syracuse is a city located in Onondaga County, New York. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 147,306, and its metropolitan area had a population of 732,117. It is the county seat of Onondaga County.

Clinton Square in Downtown Syracuse
Syracuse University's stairway to the Hall of Languages. This is where the monument to the students and faculty lost on Pan Am Flight 103 is located.

History

Syracuse during its golden years. This photo is of South Salina Street around 1915.

Syracuse was initially settled by French missionaries in the 1600s. After the Revolutionary War, more settlers came to the area, mostly to trade with the Onondaga Nation. Salt was discovered in several swamps in Syracuse, which brought more settlers to the area, and gave the city the nickname "Salt City".

In 1820, the village of Syracuse was officially incorporated. Five years later, the Erie Canal, which ran through the village, was created. In 1839, Syracuse merged with the nearby village of Salina to become the city of Syracuse.

Along with the growing salt industry, Syracuse became a hot spot for the growing abolitionist movement. On October 1, 1851, a freed slave known only as "Jerry" was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Law. The anti-slavery Liberty Party was holding its state convention in the city, and when word of the arrest spread, several hundred abolitionists broke into the city jail and freed Jerry. The event came to be known as the Jerry Rescue. During the Civil War, Syracuse was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. Well-known abolitionist Frederick Douglass made Syracuse his home for four years (1853-1857), and was the first African-American to be elected to a term on the city council.

The salt industry declined after the Civil War, but a new manufacturing industry arose in its place. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, numerous businesses and stores were established, including the Franklin Automobile Company, which produced the first air-cooled engine in the world. By 1920, Syracuse had a population of more than 210,000.

Its population dropped after World War II, with many residents moving into the suburbs. Many of Syracuse's landmark buildings were demolished in the 1950s and 1960s, and several new museums and government buildings were built. In the 1980s, many immigrants from Africa and Central America moved to Syracuse, under the auspices of several religious charities.

The manufacturing industry in Syracuse began to falter in the 1990s. Many small businesses went out of business during this time, which contributed to an already increasing unemployment rate. In 2003, the Carrier Corporation announced it would close its Syracuse manufacturing facility the next year.

Geography

Aerial View from the USGS

Syracuse is located at 43°2'49" North, 76°8'40" West (43.046899, -76.144423)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 66.4 km² (25.6 mi²). 65.0 km² (25.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.15% water, with the major water body being Onondaga Lake.

The city is seen as the northeast gateway to the Finger Lakes Region.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 147,306 people, 59,482 households, and 30,335 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,266.8/km² (5,871.0/mi²). There are 68,192 housing units at an average density of 1,049.4/km² (2,717.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 64.26% White, 25.35% African American, 1.13% Native American, 3.37% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.23% from other races, and 3.61% from two or more races. 5.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 59,482 households out of which 27.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.5% are married couples living together, 19.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% are non-families. 38.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 16.8% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $25,000, and the median income for a family is $33,026. Males have a median income of $30,312 versus $23,997 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,168. 27.3% of the population and 21.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 35.1% are under the age of 18 and 12.4% are 65 or older.

Economy

File:Syracuse MONY.jpg
MONY is not one of the region's top ten employers, but the towers bearing its name are a prominent piece of the Syracuse skyline

Syracuse's economy has faced challenges over the past decades as industrial jobs have left the area. This trend continued into the 1990s and picked up speed again after September 11, 2001. Syracuse's top employers are now primarily in education and in the service industry.

Top employers

Here are the top employers in the Syracuse region and their workforce as of January 1, 2003:

-Source: 'Syracuse Post Standard'

Future

Despite negative news over the past year such as Carrier ceasing manufacturing in Syracuse, there has also been some good news. The Canadian Magna International Inc. bought the New Process Gear Division of New Venture Gear, saving it from being shut down by Daimler-Chrysler. Several smaller companies in the area continue to add a small number of jobs. In June 2004 the Bank of New York announced it would bring up to 800 jobs to Downtown Syracuse.

If the Pyramid Companies have their way, the Syracuse will be transformed into a extremely large tourist destination, anchored by their proposed five-billion-dollar DestiNY USA resort. Except for a ceremonial groundbreaking in 2002 the project has seen no construction since it was proposed over four years ago. Recently it was announced that construction is scheduled to begin in 2005.

Neighborhoods

File:SyracuseStrathmore.jpg
Syracuse's Strathmore neighborhood

The City of Syracuse officially recognizes 26 neighborhoods within its boundaries. Some of these have small neighborhoods inside of them. (Bold Indicates there is a non-stub article on Wikipedia)

Transportation

Public transportation

File:SyracuseOntrack.gif
OnTrack provides commuter train service

Syracuse is served by the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, or CENTRO. CENTRO runs several bus lines around Syracuse and into the suburbs.

OnTrack is the Syracuse commuter train line. Syracuse is the smallest city in the United States to have local train service. The line runs from Colvin Street on the city's South Side via Syracuse University and Armory Square to the Carousel Center. Financing was finally approved in April 2004 to build a bridge that will allow OnTrack to reach the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center, Regional Market, and P&C Stadium.

Bus & rail

The city lies on Amtrak's Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, and Maple Leaf lines. Greyhound and Trailways provide long-distance bus service. Both use the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center in the north of the city.

Air service

Syracuse is served by the Syracuse Hancock International Airport in nearby Salina, near Mattydale. The airport is served by 17 airlines (9 major), which provide non-stop flights to destinations as far away as Las Vegas, and Orlando, as well as several daily flights to important airline hubs and business centers such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, DC. Six cargo carriers also serve the airport.

Roads

Syracuse's four interstate highways link the city with its suburbs and other cities throughout the country.

Interstate 81 (Canada to Knoxville) runs north-south through Syracuse, and provides access to Canada, Pennsylvania and points south.

Interstate 90 (Seattle to Boston), also known as the New York State Thruway runs east-west, just north of the city. It provides access to Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and the north-south (Interstate 87) part of the Thruway which leads to New York City.

Interstate 690 runs east-west through the city, and provides access to Interstate 90, as well as to Syracuse's western and eastern suburbs.

Interstate 481 forms an eastern loop around the city and continues to the northwest as NY-481 to Fulton and Oswego, on the shore of Lake Ontario.

Government

Executive

The city is headed by an elected mayor who is limited to two, four-year terms. The incumbent is former Syracuse Common Council President Matt Driscoll, who first assumed the position in 2001 after the former mayor, Roy Bernardi resigned, after being given a job in the federal government. After serving the remaining term, Driscoll was re-elected that year.

Legislative

The legislative branch of Syracuse is the Syracuse Common Council. It consists of a president and nine members.

Judicial

The Onondaga County Supreme and County Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for Syracuse. It is also the administrative court for the Fifth District of the New York State Unified Court System. Judges for these courts are elected at-large.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York also has its chambers in Syracuse.

Media

Newspapers

Syracuse has one daily morning newspaper, the Syracuse Post-Standard. There is also a weekly free newspaper that focuses on events in Syracuse, the Syracuse New Times.

Up until 2001, Syracuse also had an evening paper, the Syracuse Herald Journal.

Television

Syracuse has eight broadcast TV stations:

Syracuse's cable television provider is Time Warner Cable, which, as a part of its regular and digital offerings, provides a 24-hour local news channel (News 10 Now), local sports channel, public access channel, and an additional PBS channel.

Religion

Buddhism

Buddhism has its presence in Syracuse with the Zen Center of Syracuse on the Seneca Turnpike.

Christianity

Syracuse has two cathedrals, the Episcopalian St. Paul's Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Both are home to their respective diocese, the Diocese of Central New York (Episcopalian) and the Diocese of Syracuse (Roman Catholic). In addition there are dozens of churches in Syracuse for virtually every kind of Christian, including Jehovah's Witness, Christian Science, and Metaphysical Christian. Complete List

Eckankar

The ECK Center of Central New York provides service for Syracuse-area Eckankar believers.

Hinduism

Hindu houses of worship include the Hindu Mandir of Central New York in Syracuse, and the Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, in Liverpool.

Islam

Islam is also has a presence in Syracuse, with the Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque on Comstock Avenue and Muhammad's Study Group on West Kennedy Street.

Judaism

There are several jewish houses of prayer in Syracuse, including the Temple Society of Concord, Temple Beth El, and Temple Adath Yeshurun.


Unitarian Universalist

There are three Unitarian Universalism churches in Syracuse.

A complete list of Syracuse's Houses of Worship

Sports

Main article: Sports in Syracuse

Professional

Syracuse was once home to the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Known as the Syracuse Nationals (1946-1963), they played seventeen seasons in Syracuse. The NBA's 24-second clock was invented in, and first came into use in Syracuse.

College

Museums and libraries

Colleges and universities

List of famous Syracusans

Syracuse in film and television

Sites of interest

File:Syracuse Marshall Street.jpg
Marshall Street, adjacent to the Syracuse University campus, provides outdoor shopping and is lined with many restaurants and bars.

Events

External links

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