Officers of the Oswego Town Historical Society
President: George DeMass
Vice President: Tom Czerow
Treasurer: Theresa Cooper
Trustee: Margaret Mahaney
Trustee: Douglas Malone
Trustee: Justin White
Publicity: Carol Haynes

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
Click Here for the Genealogical Research and Applications
Click Here for Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Statue Fund Form
Oswego Town Historical Society links
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