Oswego, New York

Oswego is a city in the United States, located in Oswego County, New York. It is the county seat. The city is where the Oswego River meets Lake Ontario.

Oswego has an old history. 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.

Today, Oswego's economy relies on making things and providing services. The city is led by a mayor and a city council. Nearby, there is SUNY Oswego, a college. 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 later taken by American troops. 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 safe place for people who needed to find safety. 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. 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 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. About 20% of residents were under 18 and 18% were aged 65 or older.

In 2010, the city had 18,142 people, 7,486 households, and 3,896 families in 8,258 housing units. Most people were White, with small amounts of African American, Native American, Asian, and other groups. Hispanic or Latino people made up a small part of the population.

The per capita income was $21,139. Some people lived below the poverty line.

Politics

The city has a leader called a mayor. The current mayor is Rob Corradino. There is also a board with seven aldermen. The aldermen are chosen by people who live in the city's seven wards.

Sometimes, the city's leaders face difficult decisions. In 2024, they decided to raise property taxes to solve money issues. This 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, and George Barnard, a pioneer in photography. Joey Belladonna is a singer for the band Anthrax, and Erik Cole played hockey for the NHL and in the Olympics.

Al Roker, the weather anchor on NBC's Today show, grew up in Oswego. Other notable individuals include Mary E. Walker, a doctor, and Morgan Robertson, an author. 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 with music and fireworks. The festival began in 1987 and has grown into a big event that attracts many visitors.

Media

Oswego has several newspapers such as The Palladium Times and Oswego County Today, along with student-run papers like The Oswegonian. The city has radio stations WRVO, WSGO, WNYO, and WMVN. There is a television station called WTOP, run by students at the State University of New York at Oswego. 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 has the Oswego City School District. It has one high school for students in grades 9 to 12, one middle school for grades 7 and 8, and five elementary schools for grades K to 6.

Other schools nearby include Trinity Catholic School for PreK to 6, and Oswego Community Christian School for PreK to 8. The State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) also has part of its campus in the city.

Electric power facilities

Oswego generating station

In 1999, NRG Energy bought the Oswego generating station. This power plant can make up to 1,803-megawatt of electricity. It uses steam from boilers that are heated by fuel oil, with natural gas as a backup. The plant started working in 1976 and 1980.

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