Liverpool,
New York, an
historic little village, sheltered on the shores of Onondaga
Lake, is known as the 'Central Park of Central New York'. Part of
the larger town of Salina,
this area was the original settlement that later grew into the city of
Syracuse. In
1797, the original borders of Salina extended one mile all around the
lake. By 1847, Syracuse would obviously grow into a major city, and
the town split off in order to ensure control its independence.
Today, Salina includes
five tiny suburban communities, which are Liverpool, Mattydale,
Lyncourt,
Galeville
and North
Syracuse. The village of Liverpool is the smallest with a Census
2000 population of 2,600. It covers only one square mile of land.
However, as one of the entrances to the Onondaga Lake Park, over
35,000 visitors can pass through Liverpool daily. The Liverpool
Village merchants enjoy a steady stream of traffic.
The town of Salina, NY
based its economy on the great salt flats found here. Liverpool,
settled by salt boilers, had its history forever altered when a local
named John Fisher wove his first willow basket in 1850. His first
basket sold for fifty cents. After contacting his family back in
Germany, Liverpool soon had quite a population of German
basket-weavers, taking advantage of the large stands of willow trees
surrounding the lake. In 1892, production had risen to over 1,000
baskets daily.
Liverpool's fascinating
Willow Museum,
housed in the elegant Gleason Mansion, commemorates this long-standing
industry. Liverpool is also the site of the area's Salt
Museum. Another unique building is the House
at 807. A renovated 1880's mansion, today it is the home of some
of Liverpool's elderly.
The close-knit Village
of Liverpool takes care of the needs of both its young and its old. Central
New York's very first concrete Skatepark
opened here in 2003, to the delight of local youths who helped plan
it. Wegman's
Good Dog Park is another regional first, an 800 square foot
enclosed park where dogs and owners romp free. A series of summer
concerts, known as 'Liverpool is The Place', delight residents of all
ages. Held on the Johnson
Park stage in the center of the village, these concerts are free.
Liverpool,
New York sets a
fine example of small community living at its best. Residents display
pride in their heritage and a strong commitment to honoring the
traditions of their forefathers.
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