OHA Museum Lecture on March 11th: Springs Lakes & Reservoirs: A History of Syracuse’s Water System

Onondaga Historical Association curator of history Dennis Connors will present an illustrated lecture on Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m. in the OHA Museum auditorium that will trace the intriguing story of Syracuse’s efforts in the 19^th century to secure an adequate and healthy water system. The Museum is located at 321 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse.

 

The program will explore some of the various early sources tapped by the citizens of Syracuse before eventually setting their sights on the clear waters of Skaneateles Lake. And the decision to use Skaneateles was not easily transformed into reality, as there was opposition from mill operators who worried about the impact of lower water levels in the Lake and Skaneateles Creek. There was the struggle with the old private water company over acquisition of the existing distribution system. And then there was the engineering challenge of constructing an underground conduit system nearly 20 miles over rough terrain. There was even controversy over the massive construction of the new Woodland Reservoir with charges, tinged with racism, that contractors were importing African-American and Italian laborers from out-of-town who would work for less.

 

The earliest sources for Syracuse water were often natural springs. But even the waters of Onondaga Creek were used for a time, although the high level of polluted effluents flowing into the Creek was a known fact. In addition to the health concerns, a major impetus for finding a better water source was the reoccurring problem in 19^th century Syracuse of enough municipal water to fight the roaring fires that regularly plagued downtown.

 

Admission for the lecture is $5 at the door, $3 for OHA members.