Syracuse’s Birth and Growth

Syracuse, NY is the metropolitan hub of a 12-county region at the center of Upstate New York. This city and region have a rich history as a pioneer and leader in social movements and innovations, including: the establishment of the first democracy in North America (Haudenosaunee Confederacy in 1142), the transformational impact of the Erie Canal on immigration and commerce across the US (1825-1925), the rise of social justice movements including the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage in the US, as well as a myriad of technological innovations.

In the late 1700s, present-day Syracuse attracted immigrants who were drawn by natural springs of salt water. Salt production from brine became the region’s first commercial industry. This history is displayed today in The Salt Museum at Onondaga Lake Park. Syracuse, and all of Central Upstate New York was transformed by the construction of the Erie Canal, which was completed in 1825. This 363-mile-long engineering marvel from Albany to Buffalo connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, opening the U.S. Heartland to trade with Europe. Syracuse became a major port on the canal, which ran across the city along the present-day Erie Boulevard. Images and artifacts of the city’s early history are on display in the Erie Canal Museum housed in the 1850 Weighlock Building, the world’s last remaining canal tollbooth of that era.

Cities along the Erie Canal were hotspots for innovations during the Industrial Revolution. In the early 1900s, Syracuse was known internationally for manufacturing of gears, automobiles, and typewriters. In 1902, a 25-year-old mechanical engineer named Willis Carrier invented air conditioning in Buffalo. In 1937, Carrier’s company was recruited from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to fill an abandoned factory in Syracuse’s Near Westside neighborhood that previously had made automobiles.

Another signature strength of the Syracuse area is education. Syracuse University was founded in 1870. In 1911, New York established a state College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. These institutions helped to fuel the development of a strong regional cluster of firms with expertise in civil, environmental, and mechanical engineering.

Geography

The Greater Syracuse area is a region of rolling hills, flat plains, lakes and streams. The City of Syracuse is located on a rise at the southern end of Onondaga Lake. The gently rolling terrain stretches north of the city for 30 miles, where it meets Lake Ontario. The Finger Lakes begin 20 miles to the southwest and Oneida Lake is eight miles northeast.

City altitude ranges from 364 to 681 feet, while approximately five miles south of Syracuse, the hills mount to about 1,500 feet. Immediately to the west, the terrain is rolling and elevated 500 to 800 feet above mean sea level.

Natural resources in the area include hardwoods used in furniture making and abundant water of high quality used by local corporations such as Anheuser-Busch and Bristol-Myers Company.

Population & Transportation

Approximately 136 million people live within a 750-mile radius of Syracuse.  This radius includes the populations of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Montreal.  Within a 750-mile (1207 km) radius of the Greater Syracuse area, companies have access to more than 50% of all US business establishments, US and Canadian manufacturing facilities, and US wholesale sales.

More than 150 motor carriers and small package carriers service the Syracuse area. Air and rail terminals are just 15 minutes from downtown. Seven major airlines, along with affiliated commuter service, offer approximately 250 daily arrivals and departures. The region is also serviced by six major air cargo carriers.  In addition, rail carrier CSX operates an intermodal center in Dewitt/Manlius and Amtrak services rail passengers. The deep water port of Oswego and the New York State Barge Canal System provide access to the Great Lakes and overseas.