Oswego History
For more information please visit www.oswegohistorian.org
Oswego boasts a heritage that stretches back beyond
written history. Indians, of course, lived in the area for several thousand years,
possibly as long ago as 7,000 B.C., following the retreat of the last glacier.
The Iroquois represented the final period of Indian culture, migrating here from
the Mississippi River region in the 13th and 14th centuries.October, 1615 marked the beginning of recorded history with the arrival of the first European, Samuel de Champlain. The British and Dutch established a settlement at Oswego in 1722 to facilitate fur trade with the Indians. During the French and Indian War era, five local forts were built to protect the British supply route from Albany to Oswego. Three of these (Forts George, Oswego, and Ontario) were located within the present city limits.
In 1796, a full 12 years after the conclusion of the American
Revolution, the British withdrew from Fort Ontario and, finally, settlers from
New England and eastern New York immigrated into Oswego. Fort Ontario fell to
the British in 1814 but, with the coming of peace and with the political support
of the newly created Oswego County (1816), Oswegonians moved to build roads and
bridges and to improve the navigation of the river. The Oswego branch of the Erie
Canal opened in 1829 and, from the 1830's to the 1870's, Oswego boomed. By shipping
flour, grain, lumber, iron, salt, and cornstarch both by canal and rail, businessmen
flourished. Evidence of the wealth of Oswego's past can still be seen today in
the many stately historic homes that grace our
city.Today, throughout the county, 19th and 20th century buildings, cemeteries, bridges, canal locks, railroad and numerous other man-made structures give us a glimpse into our rich history. Oswego is also blessed to have several fine museums that allow us to relive many aspects of the city's past. The County Historical society's Richardson Bates House Museum is the meticulously preserved residence of one of the city's powerful businessmen, the John D. Murray Firefighters Museum tracks the City's over 200 years of firefighting history, the H. Lee White Marine Museum highlights the history of Oswego's inseparable link to the sea, and at The New York State Historic Site Fort Ontario, costumed interpreters recreate the lives of the officers, men, and civilians at the Fort from 1868-9.
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