|
|
| Officers
of the Oswego Town Historical Society |
| President:
Margaret Mahaney
|
| Vice
President: Laurie Johnson
|
| Secretary:
Joseph Oleyourryk Jr.
|
| Treasurer:
Theresa Cooper
|
| Publicity:
Ed Demm
|
Town
Historian: Justin White |
|
|
The first
Town Hall was built on March 30, 1892, next to the Oswego
Center United Methodist Church. |
The Town
of Oswego, situated in the northwest comer of the county and
lying wholly within the old Military Tract, was erected from
the Hannibal Township in April 1818. Since its inception several
changes have signifcantly altered its size and shape. This geographic
surgery began in 1836 when a small triangular tract of land
near the present area of Minetto was annexed to the Town of
Oswego from the Town of Granby. The next case occurred when
the village of Oswego was incorporated as a city in 1848, thus
removing it from the jurisdiction of Oswego Town. Up to this
time the Township of Oswego extended all the way to the Oswego
River.
The Township again lost territory when Minetto was formed in
the early twentieth century. The Town of Oswego was originally
covered with dense forests with much heavy timber. In fact,
this situation provided the first form of employment for many
sturdy pioneers as there was a growing demand for lumber in
the tiny village at the mouth of the river. Early settlers told
of the heavy forest cover that existed between the village and
what is now known as Fruit Valley.
Soon after the first settlers had settled in, roads were cut
leading to the village but several more years elapsed before
passable thoroughfares were surveyed and opened. The first highway
in the town was the road leading from Oswego up the river through
Minetto to Oswego Falls (Fulton), which was opened in 1811.
The Fifth Street Road was laid out by William Moore, the first
surveyor, in 1813. The first bridges were made of logs. Thus,
from these humble beginnings, the thriving Town of Oswego emerged.
Charles V. Groat, Ph.D.
Past Oswego Town Historian |
Mary
Edwards Walker
Above And Beyond
 |
 |
Historical
Society is embarking on a campaign to create a lasting
memorial in recognition of native citizen Dr. Mary E.
Walker. More than 170 years ago, Dr. Walker was born
on the Walker family farm on Bunker Hill Road in the
Town of Oswego. Today she is nationally recognized as
the first and only woman ever awarded the Congressional
Medal of Honor for her heroic services during the American
Civil War. Dr. Walker lived her life in the moment and
never stopped her tireless efforts to create equality
and civil rights for women. Although she was a pioneer
female physician, she was mostly known for her crusade
in the suffrage movement, dress reform and social equality
for all people.
Dr. Walker was born, raised, lived, died and is buried
in the Rural Cemetery in the Town of Oswego. She was
a world traveler, and spent much of her time in Washington,
D.C., fighting for the causes she believed in. However,
Oswego Town was always her home and she never lived
away for long from her beloved farm on Bunker Hill Road.
Sadly, the historic family farm burned more than half
a century ago. A New York State historical marker marks
the spot. The Oswego Town Historical Society has conceptualized
a plan to create a memorial in honor of Dr. Walker in
front of the new Oswego Town Hall in the near future.
The Oswego Town Historical Society is asking for your
support to create this lasting commemoration in honor
of Dr. Walker. If you have any questions, ideas or concerns,
please contact committee chairperson Theresa Cooper. |
If interested please
contact Theresa Cooper.
Office Phone: 343-2586 or E-mail: records@twcny.rr.com |
|
| Oswego
Town Historical Society links |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
