Onondaga County, Administrative county in central New York, United States
Description
Onondaga County is an administrative unit in central New York that spreads around the city of Syracuse and includes urban neighborhoods, farmland, and wooded hills. The landscape shifts from dense residential areas near the city center to open fields and forests farther out, crossed by rivers and smaller lakes.
History
The county was formally established in 1792 with Syracuse as its administrative center after European settlers moved into the area. It grew during the 19th century through salt mining and later industry, drawing workers from many countries.
Culture
The Onondaga Nation, part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, keeps deep roots in this area through their language, ceremonies, and their land south of the city. Visitors can sense their presence in place names, cultural events, and community centers that reflect their centuries-long connection to the territory.
Practical
The county is easiest to explore by car, as many towns and rural areas beyond Syracuse have limited public transport connections. Buses operate mainly in and around the city, while rural roads link smaller communities.
Did you know?
Onondaga Lake at the northern edge of the county has gone through a long history as a polluted waterway and has been undergoing cleanup for decades. Today you can bike or walk along its shore and watch birds and fish returning as the restoration continues.
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JMA Wireless Dome
5.9 km
Green Lakes State Park
19 km
Niagara Mohawk Building
5.8 km
Alliance Bank Stadium
8.2 km
Hancock Field Air National Guard Base
12.9 km
Everson Museum of Art
5.8 km
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
3.9 km
Old Erie Canal State Historic Park
23.4 km
Clark Reservation State Park
8.8 km
Labrador Hollow Unique Area
27.9 kmSainte Marie among the Iroquois
9.2 km
Hotel Syracuse
5.7 km
Hall of Languages, Syracuse University
6.2 km
State Tower Building
6 km
Hendricks Chapel
6.1 km
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology
5.5 km
Oncenter War Memorial Arena
5.7 km
Erie Canal Museum
6.2 km
Onondaga Park
3.6 km
Crouse College
6 kmBeaver Lake Nature Center
25.3 km
Burnet Park
3.6 kmJames Pass Arboretum
3.8 km
Light Work
5.8 kmThe Warehouse
5.5 km
The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti
6.2 km
Round Lake National Natural Landmark
19 km
Syracuse Air Defense Sector
14.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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