1898 Map of Syracuse

About this map

Syracuse sits at the heart of a dense industrial and transit hub during the late nineteenth century, defined by the convergence of the Erie Canal and the Oswego Canal. The city's landscape is heavily influenced by its manufacturing identity, particularly evident in the extensive Salt Sheds near the shores of Onondaga Lake and the specialized Solvay Process Co's R. R. serving the nearby industrial works. To the north, the terrain transitions into the sprawling Cicero Swamp, while the southern hills are marked by prominent burial grounds like Oakwood Cemetery and St. Agnes Cemetery. This survey captures the region just before the widespread modernization of the canal systems, showing the intricate web of competing rail lines like the Central and Hudson River R. R. and the West Shore R. R. that fueled the area's growth.