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Oneida, New
York, Madison County's only city, is a unique community with a colorful past and a bright future. Built on the banks of Oneida Creek, the city lies five miles south of beautiful
Oneida Lake, one of
Upstate New York's premier
fishing destinations. Anglers catch fifty-eight different species of fish from these waters, and call Oneida Lake “The Walleye Lake of New York State”.
Originally settled by the Oneida
Indians, who fought alongside the colonists during the Revolutionary
War, Oneida retains a large Native American population today.
In the 1830’s, New York began construction on its extensive canal
system, and Oneida became a canal trading post. The New York Central Railroad built a depot here in 1839, affirming Oneida’s place as the main center of commerce for rural Madison County.
In 1848, the Oneida Community began here as a Utopian religious commune known as Perfectionists, whose membership grew to more than 250 people. They constructed the
Oneida Community Mansion
House. This wonderfully rambling mansion and thirty-three acres of tailored lawns and gardens remains, though the commune is now gone. The house serves as a non-profit museum, and rents thirty-five luxurious apartments within the mansion to help provide upkeep. The commune supported itself through agriculture and the manufacture of
Oneida
Silverware, which continues to be made today. Oneida Limited is a thriving local corporation with an international reputation.
From its beginnings as a vital commercial hub, Oneida has undergone many changes. New York’s modern canal system and the
Thruway both bypassed the city. By 1980, the rail service ended also. The population peaked in 1970, and then saw some decline. Census 2000 recorded the population as 10,987. While many residents commute to nearby
Syracuse and
Utica for work, Oneida remains a major employment center for
Madison
County. It also serves as the banking, health-care and shopping hub for this predominately rural and agricultural region. The enterprising Oneida Indian tribe opened a number of
casino resorts in Oneida and the surrounding area.
Seventeen colleges and universities lie within a forty-mile radius of Oneida, offering residents a wide array of educational opportunities. Oneida’s
public school system ranks high, a combined effort of its excellent teaching staff and volunteer contributions by dedicated parents. Community involvement is one of the things that make Oneida so special. Strong family values and a deep sense of commitment show in their numerous
civic organizations and clubs.
Oneida community involvement creates an outstanding arts program, held at the
Kallet Civic
Center. The Oneida annual block party draws 25,000 people from surrounding towns. The
Madison County Hops Festival celebrates the tradition of beer manufacturing, complete with the crowning of a Hop King and Queen. The
Madison County Historical
Society, located in an 1849 Greek Revival Villa, hosts many other events, including the Historical Crafts Days.
Oneida,
New York reflects the tenacity and dedication of the people that call it home. Residents claim as their motto: “A bit of America at its best”.
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