Geddes, New York
Encyclopedia
Geddes is a town
in Onondaga County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside
of Syracuse
. The town is a western suburb
of Syracuse.
in 1848. It is named after James Geddes
, a prominent early settler who settled at the head of Onondaga Lake in 1794 and developed the salt industry.
There also was an Old Geddes Village which included part of the west side of Syracuse
and Tipperary Hill
, the village square being located near St. Mark's Circle. The village of Geddes (incorporated in 1832 and 1837) was annexed to the City of Syracuse on May 20, 1886 with a population of nearly 7,000. Today the town of Geddes still includes the Village of Solvay
, which operates independently, and the hamlets of Westvale
and Lakeland
Geddes is the youngest town in Onondaga County.
on March 18, 1848. It lies upon the west bank of Onondaga Lake
with level surface in the north and rolling hills in the south. In the southwest of the town, are several isolated, rounded drift hills (or knolls).
The Seneca River
forms the north border and Onondaga Creek
formed part of the eastern boundary. Nine Mile Creek flows east through the center of town.
The soil is clay
and sandy loam. In 1859, the town contained two churches, both Protestant, an Episcopalian
and Methodist Episcopalian.
. In the southeast section of town, there were extensive stone quarries.
There was also a brewery and distillery, and a large number of salt works within the town limits. The population was 950.
In 1841, W. H. Farrar, who had recently arrived from Vermont
, started a small pottery business in the town of Geddes, New York called Farrar Pottery for making salt-glazed stoneware, an American
ceramic product around since colonial times. During 1868, Farrer sold the business to a group who formed the Empire Crockery Manufacturing Company.
On July 20, 1871, several local businessmen purchased the struggling local pottery, incorporated, capitalized the company for $50,000, and began to expand its lines to produce white earthenware for table and toilet use. At that time, the name changed to Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P.Co.). The company name was officially changed to Syracuse China
in 1966. They specialized in the manufacture of fine china and commercial ware.
During 1874, Ashton Salt Mill was operating in the town of Geddes, on the western edge of the city and Saginaw Salt Works was located southwest of the city in the town of Onondaga
. That same year, several other salt producers were operating within the city limits including; G. A. Porter & Company, Haskin's Salt Mill and J. W. Barker & Company.
In 1878, Geddes was the home of Western Coarse Salt Company, Turk's Island Coarse Salt Company, Geddes Coarse Salt Company, Union Coarse Salt Company, Cape Cod Coarse Salt Company, W. & D. Kirkpatrick of No. 7 Wieting Block, Draper & Porter, W. B. Boyd, Mrs. S. O. Ely and J. F. Paige. The Onondaga Coarse Salt Association were manufacturers of coarse or solar salt including; dairy, table, common, fine and fertilizing salts. Thomas K. Gale was president, W. H. H. Gere was vice-president and Lewis A. Hawley was recording secretary.
By 1879, there were several manufacturers in the town including Onondaga Iron Works and Sterling Iron Ore Company both operated by J. J. Belden, president. W. H. H. Gere and A. J. Belden were secretary and treasurer of the companies.
was located in the eastern section of town, near the original border with Syracuse
on Geddes Street. The facility was located on Wilbur Avenue on the southeast border of Tipperary Hill
. The site selected was about a mile southwest of Syracuse, in the town of Geddes, and was "one of the finest that could have been found in the State of New York." The building was constructed of brick, "plain but substantial, and admirably fitted for the purpose for which it is designed."
The institution was located upon the eastern slope of the range of hills in the western part of the city and about 1-1/2 miles south of the head of Onondaga Lake
. The asylum grounds covered an area of about sixty-five acres, immediately adjacent to Burnet Park
, the most of which was high land, overlooking the city and lake. The principal group of buildings, which were clustered around the original structure, facing the western extremity of Seymour Street, accommodated about 450 individuals.
, the town has a total area of 12.2 square miles (31.6 km²), of which, 9.2 square miles (23.8 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) of it (24.28%) is water.
Geddes is on the west shore of Onondaga Lake
.
Interstate 690
intersects both New York State Route 695
and Interstate 90
(New York State Thruway
) in Geddes. New York State Route 5
, West Genesee Street, is an east-west highway in the town. New York State Route 297
is a short north-south highway.
of 2000, there were 17,740 people, 7,262 households, and 4,807 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,920.3 people per square mile (741.3/km²). There were 7,620 housing units at an average density of 824.8 per square mile (318.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.48% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 7,262 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,852, and the median income for a family was $51,609. Males had a median income of $40,688 versus $26,575 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $20,986. About 6.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside
Far Westside, Syracuse
The Syracuse Far Westside is one of 26 recognized neighborhoods by the City of Syracuse, USA. Until this area joined the city in 1886 it was known as the village of Geddes.-History:...
of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The town is a western suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Syracuse.
History
The town was formed from the Town of SalinaSalina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
in 1848. It is named after James Geddes
James Geddes (engineer)
James Geddes was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and was a prominent engineer, surveyor, New York State legislator and U.S. Congressman who was instrumental in the planning of the Erie Canal and other canals in the United States...
, a prominent early settler who settled at the head of Onondaga Lake in 1794 and developed the salt industry.
There also was an Old Geddes Village which included part of the west side of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
, the village square being located near St. Mark's Circle. The village of Geddes (incorporated in 1832 and 1837) was annexed to the City of Syracuse on May 20, 1886 with a population of nearly 7,000. Today the town of Geddes still includes the Village of Solvay
Solvay, New York
Solvay is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, and a suburb of the city of Syracuse. According to the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 6,845...
, which operates independently, and the hamlets of Westvale
Westvale, New York
Westvale is a suburban community in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,166 at the 2000 census.Westvale is in the Town of Geddes, lying east of Fairmount and southwest of Solvay...
and Lakeland
Lakeland, New York
Lakeland is a hamlet in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,852 at the 2000 census. The community name is derived from its location next to Onondaga Lake....
Geddes is the youngest town in Onondaga County.
Background
Geddes was formed from SalinaSalina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
on March 18, 1848. It lies upon the west bank of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
with level surface in the north and rolling hills in the south. In the southwest of the town, are several isolated, rounded drift hills (or knolls).
The Seneca River
Seneca River (New York)
The Seneca River in central New York flows from west to east, from Seneca Lake, through the Montezuma Marsh at the north end of Cayuga Lake to the Seneca's confluence with the Oneida and Oswego rivers at the Three Rivers area north of Syracuse. Much of the river has been channelized to form part...
forms the north border and Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek is a major tributary of Onondaga Lake which is located in Onondaga County, New York. The headwaters of the creek originate south of the city of Syracuse near the hamlet of Vesper, New York...
formed part of the eastern boundary. Nine Mile Creek flows east through the center of town.
The soil is clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
and sandy loam. In 1859, the town contained two churches, both Protestant, an Episcopalian
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
and Methodist Episcopalian.
Early industry
By 1859, several salt wells were located near the southwest extremity of the lake. The S.B.& N.Y.R.R. coal depot was situated on the Erie CanalErie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
. In the southeast section of town, there were extensive stone quarries.
There was also a brewery and distillery, and a large number of salt works within the town limits. The population was 950.
In 1841, W. H. Farrar, who had recently arrived from Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, started a small pottery business in the town of Geddes, New York called Farrar Pottery for making salt-glazed stoneware, an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ceramic product around since colonial times. During 1868, Farrer sold the business to a group who formed the Empire Crockery Manufacturing Company.
On July 20, 1871, several local businessmen purchased the struggling local pottery, incorporated, capitalized the company for $50,000, and began to expand its lines to produce white earthenware for table and toilet use. At that time, the name changed to Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P.Co.). The company name was officially changed to Syracuse China
Syracuse China
Syracuse China Corporation, located in Syracuse, New York, was a manufacturer of fine china. Founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company in the town of Geddes, New York, the company initially produced earthenware...
in 1966. They specialized in the manufacture of fine china and commercial ware.
During 1874, Ashton Salt Mill was operating in the town of Geddes, on the western edge of the city and Saginaw Salt Works was located southwest of the city in the town of Onondaga
Onondaga, New York
Onondaga is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the town had a population of 21,063. The town is named after the native Onondaga tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy....
. That same year, several other salt producers were operating within the city limits including; G. A. Porter & Company, Haskin's Salt Mill and J. W. Barker & Company.
In 1878, Geddes was the home of Western Coarse Salt Company, Turk's Island Coarse Salt Company, Geddes Coarse Salt Company, Union Coarse Salt Company, Cape Cod Coarse Salt Company, W. & D. Kirkpatrick of No. 7 Wieting Block, Draper & Porter, W. B. Boyd, Mrs. S. O. Ely and J. F. Paige. The Onondaga Coarse Salt Association were manufacturers of coarse or solar salt including; dairy, table, common, fine and fertilizing salts. Thomas K. Gale was president, W. H. H. Gere was vice-president and Lewis A. Hawley was recording secretary.
By 1879, there were several manufacturers in the town including Onondaga Iron Works and Sterling Iron Ore Company both operated by J. J. Belden, president. W. H. H. Gere and A. J. Belden were secretary and treasurer of the companies.
Institutions
The New York State Asylum for IdiotsSyracuse State School
The Syracuse State School was a residential facility in Syracuse, New York for mentally disabled children and adults. Founded in 1851 in Albany, New York as the New York State Asylum for Idiots, acting upon a recommendation contained in the 1846 annual report of the New York State Asylum for...
was located in the eastern section of town, near the original border with Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
on Geddes Street. The facility was located on Wilbur Avenue on the southeast border of Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
. The site selected was about a mile southwest of Syracuse, in the town of Geddes, and was "one of the finest that could have been found in the State of New York." The building was constructed of brick, "plain but substantial, and admirably fitted for the purpose for which it is designed."
The institution was located upon the eastern slope of the range of hills in the western part of the city and about 1-1/2 miles south of the head of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
. The asylum grounds covered an area of about sixty-five acres, immediately adjacent to Burnet Park
Burnet Park
Burnet Park is the largest park in Syracuse, New York, USA, covering an area of . It is located on the west end of the city, in the Far Westside in a neighborhood called Tipperary Hill.-History:...
, the most of which was high land, overlooking the city and lake. The principal group of buildings, which were clustered around the original structure, facing the western extremity of Seymour Street, accommodated about 450 individuals.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 12.2 square miles (31.6 km²), of which, 9.2 square miles (23.8 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) of it (24.28%) is water.
Geddes is on the west shore of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
.
Interstate 690
Interstate 690
Interstate 690 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway that extends for through the vicinity of Syracuse, New York, in the United States. It is a spur of I-90 that travels southeast from Thruway exit 39 in Van Buren to I-481 in DeWitt...
intersects both New York State Route 695
New York State Route 695
New York State Route 695 is a short state highway located west of Syracuse in the towns of Camillus and Geddes in Onondaga County, New York. The number of the highway was derived from the two highways that NY 695 links, Interstate 690 and NY 5...
and Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
(New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
) in Geddes. New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5 is a state highway that extends for across the state of New York in the United States. It begins at the Pennsylvania state line in the Chautauqua County town of Ripley and passes through Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, and several other smaller cities and...
, West Genesee Street, is an east-west highway in the town. New York State Route 297
New York State Route 297
New York State Route 297 is a state highway in the western suburbs of Syracuse, New York, in the United States. It is signed as north–south; however, it follows more of a southwest–northeast alignment for through the towns of Camillus and Geddes. The southern terminus of the route is at an...
is a short north-south highway.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 17,740 people, 7,262 households, and 4,807 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,920.3 people per square mile (741.3/km²). There were 7,620 housing units at an average density of 824.8 per square mile (318.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.48% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 7,262 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,852, and the median income for a family was $51,609. Males had a median income of $40,688 versus $26,575 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $20,986. About 6.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Geddes
- LakelandLakeland, New YorkLakeland is a hamlet in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,852 at the 2000 census. The community name is derived from its location next to Onondaga Lake....
– A hamlet in the northwest part of Geddes. - Lakeside – A location north of Lakeland.
- Lindbergh Lawns – A location in the northern part of the town.
- SolvaySolvay, New YorkSolvay is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, and a suburb of the city of Syracuse. According to the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 6,845...
– The Village of Solvay is in the southeast part of Geddes. - WestvaleWestvale, New YorkWestvale is a suburban community in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,166 at the 2000 census.Westvale is in the Town of Geddes, lying east of Fairmount and southwest of Solvay...
– A hamlet south of Solvay.