Mining the OHA Archives: A Treasure Hunt Through Three Centuries of Central New York History
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Historic Buildings & Areas
Downtown Syracuse has the greatest concentration of buildings with
historic, architectural, and aesthetic merit in Central New York. In
recent years, public and private sectors have worked together to
protect, preserve and renew the historic resources of downtown. There
are two lists of historic buildings and districts maintained for this
purpose: the National Register of Historic Places and the list of
buildings governed by the Local Landmark Preservation Ordinance.
The National Register was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Buildings placed on the National Register are nationally recognized for their architectural or historic significance. An environmental review is required if any change is proposed to a building in the register. National Register buildings also qualify for tax benefits if the property owner undertakes a substantial rehabilitation of the building.
In 1975, the zoning regulations of the City of Syracuse were amended to include a preservation ordinance. The ordinance allows for the designation of historic and architecturally significant properties as protected sites or collectively as preservation districts. Once designated, significant changes to these structures must be approved by the Landmark Preservation Board. There are three major National Register Historic Districts within downtown Syracuse.
Hanover Square Historic District
The Hanover Square Historic District includes buildings along the 100 blocks of East Genesee and East Water Streets, as well as the Grange Building, State Tower Building, and City Hall Commons along South Warren Street.
Hanover Square was the site of the village well and Syracuse's first commercial district. It was the main recruiting area during the Civil War, and the site of a spectacular bonfire made from recruiting booths at the War's end. In 1871 a huge crowd gathered here to witness the first recorded hot air balloon ascension in the Syracuse area.
Recently designated a Historic District on The National Register of Historic Places, the Square contains a variety of 19th century buildings, some dating back to 1834 when a fire leveled the original Square. The structures on the north side of the Square were originally canal loft “double-enders.” This allowed merchants to hoist goods up into their stores from barges on the Erie Canal and then lower the goods by pulley and tackle into wagons in Hanover Square. Extensive renovation of the Square was completed in the Spring on 1981. Hanover Square now boasts a variety of retail shops, restaurants, bars and real estate.
Montgomery Street - Columbus Circle Historic District
The Montgomery Street - Columbus Circle Historical District consists of the buildings along the Montgomery Street Corridor from Washington Street, across from City Hall, to the architecture surrounding Columbus Circle.
Armory Square Historical District
The Armory Square Historical District is the area bounded by South Clinton Street, West Jefferson Street, West Fayette Street, and Onondaga Creek. A former warehouse and industrial area, the neighborhood began a renewal in the late 1970s, when “urban poineers“ began to locate in old, unused warehouses and establish new businesses. Today, an interesting mix of uses abound in Armory Square, including offices, retail stores, restautants and night spots, and apartments and condos. At the heart of the Armory Square Historic District is the Museum of Science and Technology, located in the renovated New York State Armory.
- For information on specific buildings, please click on “Historic Buildings & Landmarks“ on the left sidebar.
- To download a printable tour of these locations, please click on “Historic Walking Tour“ on the left sidebar.
The National Register was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Buildings placed on the National Register are nationally recognized for their architectural or historic significance. An environmental review is required if any change is proposed to a building in the register. National Register buildings also qualify for tax benefits if the property owner undertakes a substantial rehabilitation of the building.
In 1975, the zoning regulations of the City of Syracuse were amended to include a preservation ordinance. The ordinance allows for the designation of historic and architecturally significant properties as protected sites or collectively as preservation districts. Once designated, significant changes to these structures must be approved by the Landmark Preservation Board. There are three major National Register Historic Districts within downtown Syracuse.
Hanover Square Historic District
The Hanover Square Historic District includes buildings along the 100 blocks of East Genesee and East Water Streets, as well as the Grange Building, State Tower Building, and City Hall Commons along South Warren Street.
Hanover Square was the site of the village well and Syracuse's first commercial district. It was the main recruiting area during the Civil War, and the site of a spectacular bonfire made from recruiting booths at the War's end. In 1871 a huge crowd gathered here to witness the first recorded hot air balloon ascension in the Syracuse area.
Recently designated a Historic District on The National Register of Historic Places, the Square contains a variety of 19th century buildings, some dating back to 1834 when a fire leveled the original Square. The structures on the north side of the Square were originally canal loft “double-enders.” This allowed merchants to hoist goods up into their stores from barges on the Erie Canal and then lower the goods by pulley and tackle into wagons in Hanover Square. Extensive renovation of the Square was completed in the Spring on 1981. Hanover Square now boasts a variety of retail shops, restaurants, bars and real estate.
Montgomery Street - Columbus Circle Historic District
The Montgomery Street - Columbus Circle Historical District consists of the buildings along the Montgomery Street Corridor from Washington Street, across from City Hall, to the architecture surrounding Columbus Circle.
Armory Square Historical District
The Armory Square Historical District is the area bounded by South Clinton Street, West Jefferson Street, West Fayette Street, and Onondaga Creek. A former warehouse and industrial area, the neighborhood began a renewal in the late 1970s, when “urban poineers“ began to locate in old, unused warehouses and establish new businesses. Today, an interesting mix of uses abound in Armory Square, including offices, retail stores, restautants and night spots, and apartments and condos. At the heart of the Armory Square Historic District is the Museum of Science and Technology, located in the renovated New York State Armory.
- For information on specific buildings, please click on “Historic Buildings & Landmarks“ on the left sidebar.
- To download a printable tour of these locations, please click on “Historic Walking Tour“ on the left sidebar.
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The Downtown Neighborhoods
Armory Square • Downtown East • Hanover Square • Heart of Downtown
