Oswego, NY Has It All, In All Seasons!

If you haven't been to Oswego, you might want to put it on your list of places to visit in Central New York.

Oswego City Hall

Oswego has it all, in all seasons! Fishing year round, boating, historic sites, parks and recreation, farmers market in the summer/fall, super-modified racing, and other activities for all ages.

The City of Oswego is also known at The Port City of Central New York. Oswego is in Oswego County and is located in northern-central New York on Lake Ontario. The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego is located on the lake just west of the City.

History: The British established a trading post in Oswego in 1722 and it was later called Fort Ontario. Fort Ontario is now a State Historical Site. The Fort is currently open to the public and is now undergoing renovations.

The Fort also houses the Safe Haven Museum.
"Safe Haven was the only Official U.S. Government activity to Rescue Jewish refugees during the Second World War, for victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The refugees were brought from Italy, but deliberately only from other parts of Europe. They were all fleeing from the Nazis. They were deliberately chosen so that some were non-Jewish to allay anti-semitic fears.

They were placed in Fort Oswego, behind barbed wire, and given no official status, and were told they would be returned to their homelands after the war, and would have no rights as regards entering the United States. In fact, due to political pressure, at the war's end they were allowed to stay in the U.S.A."  

. . . From Wikipedia

"The Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum is dedicated to keeping alive the story of the 982 European refugees who were allowed into the United States as “guests” of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Holocaust in World War II. They were temporarily housed at Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York from August 1944 – February 1946."

. . .From the Safe Haven Museum Website

The Oswego Canal connects the Erie Canal at Three Rivers (Oneida, Seneca and Oswego Rivers) to Lake Ontario at Port Ontario.

Lock in the City of Oswego. The Oswego River has seven locks.

Oswego Public Library

The Oswego Public Library was built in 1855 with funds that were donated by Gerrit Smith, who was an abolitionist, prohibitionist, and businessman. The library is on the National Register of Historical Places and the building is one of the oldest libraries built in New York State to serve continuously as a library.

The War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden is at the Leotta-Seaway Trail Park and the gateway to the Oswego Harbor Rail Trail. There is a pedestrian bridge and trail that crosses the Oswego River and Harbor. The park includes benches to enjoy the view, and there are panels to read about the history of Oswego and the War of 1812. The colors of the flowers reflect the local schools' teams colors: Orange and green for SUNY Oswego and red geraniums in honor of the sacrifices made by the Oswego Patriots.

Oswego is also home to the Port of Oswego which was also once a major railroad hub for several major railroads (the New York Central Railroad, the Deleware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and the New York, Ontario and Western Railway. The tunnel from the former Ontario and Western Railway is used as a rail trail.


Fishing anyone?

And SNOW!!!

One of the highlights of the year in Oswego is Harborfest. Harborfest is an annual free four day event that occurs the last full weekend of July. They have amusement rides, live music, entertainment, and art and crafts for children, and other venues as well. Check their webpage for the schedule and events.

Fireworks in the Harbor. Photo by Robert  J. Clark. Printed with permission 

The fireworks again will be presented by world renowned Fireworks by Grucci: Fireworks by Grucci.

And a visit to Oswego would not be complete without at stop at Rudy's on the Lake on the west side of SUNY  Oswego for a fish sandwich or hamburger hots or hot dog hots.

Websites:
City of Oswego
Oswego Speedway is a nationally known racing facility.
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego)
Visit Oswego, NY
Safe Haven Museum
Oswego, NY (Wikipedia)
Oswego Public Library
Oswego Canal
War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Oswego NY

Hope you get a chance to visit Oswego in the upcoming months!

Feel free to leave a comment. . .