Oswego, New York

Oswego is a city in the United States, located in Oswego County, New York. It is the county seat and had a population of 16,921 as of the 2020 census. The city is found where the Oswego River meets the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, about 40 miles northwest of Syracuse and 74 miles east-northeast of Rochester.

Oswego has a rich history, beginning with a British trading post set up in 1722. It became a village in 1828 and a city in 1848. During the War of 1812, British forces took the city but were later defeated nearby. The building of canals along the Oswego River helped the city grow, and it became an important place for trains in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Today, Oswego's economy relies mainly on making things and providing services. The city is led by a mayor and a city council. Nearby, there is SUNY Oswego, a college that plays a big role in the community. Oswego is also known for its Oswego Speedway, where car races are held.

History

The British set up a trading post in Oswego in 1722 and built a fort called Fort Oswego. Later, Fort Ontario was built in 1755 by the British.

Fort Ontario changed hands many times. It was destroyed by the French during the French and Indian War. The British built it again, but it was destroyed by American troops during the American Revolution. The British took it back but finally gave it to the United States in 1796.

Oswego became a village in 1828 and a city in 1848. Railways helped it grow, with many trains stopping there until the mid-1900s.

Fort Ontario was rebuilt between 1839 and 1844. After World War II, it became a refuge for about 982 Jewish people escaping the Holocaust. They lived behind barbed wire until they could apply for U.S. citizenship. Today, Fort Ontario is a historic site where visitors can learn about its past.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Oswego has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²). Of this, 7.7 square miles (20 km²) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) is water.

Oswego is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Oswego River. It is about 35 miles north of Syracuse and 69 miles east of Rochester. The nearest city is Fulton, located south of Oswego.

Oswego often gets a lot of snow because it is near Lake Ontario. Some winters, the city receives over 300 inches of snow. In 2007, a big snowstorm brought about 130 inches of snow in just two weeks.

Oswego has warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is known for its snowy weather, which comes from the lake effect. The lake also helps keep temperatures a bit milder than areas farther inland.

Transportation

NY 481 (from I-81) runs north–south to Oswego from Syracuse and Fulton. NY 104 runs east/west from Rochester to Oswego.

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority provides service within Oswego and connections to Fulton and Syracuse. Oswego County Public Transit offers service between Oswego and smaller communities in Oswego County.

Demographics

Oswego had a population of 16,921 as of the 2020 census. The median age was 37.7 years, with 20.1% of residents under 18 and 18.4% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males age 18 and over.

In 2010, the city had 18,142 people, 7,486 households, and 3,896 families in 8,258 housing units. The racial makeup was 94.1% White, 2.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up 5.1% of the population.

The median household income was $39,867, and the median family income was $57,324. Males working full-time earned a median income of $50,074, while females earned $33,211. The per capita income was $21,139. About 24.2% of the population and 14.4% of families lived below the poverty line.

Politics

The city is led by a mayor, who is currently Republican Rob Corradino, and a board of seven aldermen. These aldermen are chosen by voters from the city's seven wards.

In the past, there have been some challenges in city government. In 2024, leaders made a decision to raise property taxes to help with money problems, which made many people unhappy.

Notable people

Oswego has been home to many interesting people who have achieved success in different fields. Some of these include Neil Bancroft, a soldier in the Black Hills War, and George Barnard, a pioneer in photography during the Civil War. Joey Belladonna is a singer for the heavy metal band Anthrax, and Erik Cole played hockey for the NHL and in the Olympics.

Al Roker, the well-known weather anchor on NBC's Today show, also grew up in Oswego. Other notable individuals include Mary E. Walker, one of the only women to receive the Medal of Honor for her work as a doctor during the Civil War, and Morgan Robertson, an author who wrote The Wreck of the Titan: Or, Futility. Many more accomplished people have called Oswego home, contributing to various areas such as politics, science, sports, and the arts.

Culture and recreation

Oswego has a rich history dating back to the 1400s. Visitors can explore the city's past at museums such as the H. Lee White Marine Museum, The Richardson-Bates House, and Fort Ontario. The city has many historical landmarks, including sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places such as the Derrick Boat No. 8, Kingsford Historic District, and Market House.

People enjoy many activities in Oswego, like boating, fishing, hiking, and ice skating. The city hosts Oswego Harborfest each year, a free festival that celebrates the city's maritime history and includes music and fireworks. The festival began in 1987 and has grown into a big event that attracts many visitors.

Media

Oswego has several newspapers like The Palladium Times and Oswego County Today, along with student-run papers such as The Oswegonian. The city is also home to radio stations WRVO, WSGO, WNYO, and WMVN. There is a television station called WTOP, run entirely by students at the State University of New York at Oswego, and Oswego High School has its own station, WBUC. The city is part of the Syracuse TV market. In the past, Oswego had a newspaper called the Oswego Daily News.

Education

Oswego is home to the Oswego City School District, which includes one high school for grades 9–12, one middle school for grades 7 and 8, and five elementary schools for grades K–6.

Other schools in the area include Trinity Catholic School, which offers classes for PreK–6, and Oswego Community Christian School, which serves PreK–8. The State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) also has part of its campus within the city limits.

Electric power facilities

Oswego generating station

In 1999, NRG Energy officially took ownership of the Oswego generating station after winning an auction. This power plant can produce up to 1,803-megawatt of electricity. It uses steam from boilers that are heated by fuel oil, with natural gas as a backup for one unit. The plant began operating in 1976 and 1980.

In 2017, the plant supplied about 39.7 GWh of electricity to the grid. This amount is a small part of what the area uses each year. The plant’s electricity is sold in a market managed by the NYISO. Because it doesn’t run all the time, most of its money likely comes from being ready to produce power when needed.