Historical Markers in
Oswego County, New York

12 Unknown Revolutionary Soldiers 1809 State Road African Troops at Fort Ontario Age of Iron Horses Alfred House Asa Rice Audrey Munson Bicentennial Peace Garden Birthplace Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Blount Lumber British Invasion Casimir Pulaski Centralization Commanding the Forces Corporal Harry C. Adriance U.S.M.C.-Oswego, NY Curtis F. Shoup Dempster Grove Dr. Mary Walker Early Shipping Fort Brewerton Fort George Fort Ontario Fort Ontario State Historic Site Fort Oswego Frenchman’s Island From the Hearth of America Come the Heart of America Historic Church Holocaust Survivors Jerome I Case John Bernhard John Holmes Kempwyk Log House LT-5 TUG M-60A1 Patton Tank Mary E Walker Near This Spot Oliver Stevens Oliver Stevens On This Site Open Water = Winter Birds Oswego Harbor Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse Oswego West Side Forts People of the River Pioneer Settlers Prideaux's Campaign Pulaski Court House Pulaski Historic District Pulaski Korea Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pulaski Revolutionary Heroes Memorial Pulaski World War II Veterans Memorial Revolutionary War Patriots Monument Richardson - Bates House Museum Richland and Pulaski Civil War Soldiers Monument Richland World War I Monument River Industries Roosevelt Church Rural Cemetery Salmon River Samuel De Champlain Seaway Trail Selkirk Lighthouse Silas Towne Site of Log Tavern St. Leger’s Army Starr Clark Tin Shop The Academy The Fur Trade The O & W Railroad Pedestrian Promenade and Bikeway The O & W Railroad Pedestrian Promenade and Bikeway The O&W Railroad The Oswego Canal The Post Cemetery Those Buried At Fort Ontario Trinity Episcopal Church Underground Station War for Empire Wreck of the David W. Mills
The Hudson River School of painting, which was a 19th-century art movement that focused on landscapes and the natural world, was founded in New York State. Some of its most famous artists, such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, lived and worked in the Hudson River Valley.
Oswego County, located in the state of New York, has a rich history that spans over centuries. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Iroquois and the Algonquin people, who relied on the area's abundant natural resources for their sustenance and trade.

The arrival of Europeans in the 17th century brought significant changes to the area. French explorers were the first to discover the region, followed by Dutch and English settlers. The site where the city of Oswego now stands became an important trading post, attracting fur traders and leading to the establishment of Fort Oswego in 1727. The fort played a crucial role in the French and Indian War, as well as the American Revolution.

During the early 19th century, the construction of the Erie Canal brought economic prosperity to Oswego County. The canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, making Oswego a vital transportation hub for goods and people. The development of the canal also fueled the growth of industry in the county, particularly in the city of Oswego, which became a major center for shipping, manufacturing, and commerce.

In the 20th century, Oswego County's economy shifted towards manufacturing, particularly in the steel and automotive industries. The construction of power plants along the Oswego River, including the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, brought new job opportunities and bolstered the county's energy sector. Today, Oswego County continues to thrive as a center for tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy production, with attractions like the Oswego Harborfest and the Salmon River Fishing Derby drawing visitors from near and far.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Oswego County, New York.

  • 1792: Oswego County is established as one of the original counties in New York State.
  • 1796: The city of Oswego is incorporated, becoming an important port on Lake Ontario.
  • 1816: The construction of the Oswego Canal begins, connecting the city of Oswego to the Erie Canal.
  • 1828: The city of Fulton is incorporated, becoming a center for manufacturing and commerce.
  • 1836: The town of Pulaski is formed, named after the Polish general Casimir Pulaski.
  • 1850: The city of Phoenix is incorporated, known for its involvement in the salt industry.
  • 1861: Oswego County supports the Union during the American Civil War.
  • 1902: The city of Oswego experiences a major fire that destroys a significant portion of the downtown area.
  • 1950s: The St. Lawrence Seaway opens, providing access to the Great Lakes and boosting trade in Oswego County.
  • 1998: The county celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.
  • 2010: The county experiences population growth, driven by economic development activities.