Early salt production near Onondaga Lake. (Courtesy of Vintage Views)

Early settlement and development of the Onondaga Lake region was connected to development of the area's natural resources, including the lake itself.

Early History

Man appeared in Onondaga County in 8000 BC, following the retreat of the last glaciers. Before the American Revolution, the hills surrounding Onondaga Lake were the center of the Iroquois Confederacy. Onondaga Lake was an extremely important waterway for the Onondaga Indians, one of the six tribes of the confederacy. In 1654, the Onondagas revealed the presence of salt springs on the shores of the lake to the French. Commercial salt production on the lakeshore began in 1793. During the late 17th and early 18th century, European settlers, mostly trappers and traders, followed Jesuit missionaries and French explorers into the Syracuse area. The Lake and its related river systems served as transportation routes into this area of the country.

Development of the Salt Industry

Salt wells near Onondaga Lake,

circa 1900 (Courtesy of Vintage Views)

After the completion of the Erie Canal in the early 1800s, the interior of upstate New York was opened to increased European settlement. The Erie Canal was known as "the ditch that salt built" because salt was a major cargo transported on the canal. Syracuse is still often called "Salt City." Some of those settlers were attracted to Syracuse by its newly developing salt industry and the related industries that developed around the packaging and shipping of the salt to other areas of the country.

By 1822, the Lake's water level was lowered after its outlet to the Seneca River was dredged and the low lying swampy area that is presently the northern end of downtown Syracuse was drained. Although this eliminated the wetlands which we now know serve as an important eco-system to the Lake, it was effective in greatly reducing the threat of malaria to the residents of the growing City.

Syracuse Resort Industry

Yacht Club on Onondaga Lake, circa 1900 (Courtesy of Vintage Views)

People traveled from as far as New York City to enjoy this beautiful landmark. Several hotels were constructed on the banks of the lake so that visitors would have a place to stay. It was regarded by many as an extravagant resort area.

By the turn of the 20th century, the shoreline of Onondaga Lake was dotted with major tourist attractions including hotels, restaurants and amusement parks. People traveled from as far as New York City to enjoy this beautiful landmark. It was regarded by many as an extravagant resort area. Onondaga Lake fish were served at restaurants around the state. One of the larger amusement areas was the “Iron Pier” resort which occupied the lake shoreline near the present site of the Carousel Center shopping mall. In addition to a variety of recreational activities featured at the Iron Pier's 600-ft resort pavilion, steamboat services were provided to other resorts around the lake.

Population Growth and Industrialization

Solvay Process Works, circa 1900 (Courtesy of Vintage Views)

As Syracuse grew, the lake's western shoreline became increasingly industrialized. During the industrial revolution, various industries developed in the area based on the availability of natural resources and transportation routes. The presence of salt brine and limestone in abundance in the area were the key raw materials needed for the production of soda ash by the Solvay Process Company which would later become Allied Chemical and now Allied-Signal Inc. In 1884, the Solvay Process Company began production of soda ash, and in 1918 began production of organic chemicals. Sewage disposal and industrial discharges into the lake also increased during this period, and as a result, the quality of the water began to suffer. To learn more about the Lake's pollution problems, see Onondaga Lake Pollution.

Although steps were taken to address sewage-related problems in Onondaga Creek and Harbor Brook, pollution of the lake from municipal as well as industrial sources led to reduced use of the lake for recreation. With industries blossoming before the establishment of any modern day environmental laws, the lake was used as a depository for all kinds of industrial waste including mercury.

By 1940, the lake was declared unsafe for swimming and by the 1970s, fishing was banned on the Lake.

1970s: Onondaga Lake Restoration Efforts Begin

The 1970s marked the beginning of the restoration of Onondaga Lake. Enactment and enforcement of various environmental laws including the Federal Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and state and federal Superfund regulations, have brought about improvements in the lake. Scientific studies have been conducted relating to the impact of industrial wastes, combined sewer overflows, and treated sewage wastes discharged to the lake. A variety of cleanup efforts are underway today. To learn more, see Cleaning Up Onondaga Lake.