Syracuse is a city in New York State. Founded in 1820 and officially incorporated as a village in 1825, Syracuse has long been a significant place in Central New York. The early growth was fueled by the construction of the Erie Canal, which transformed Syracuse into a major transportation hub. Its strategic location and its thriving salt industry earned it the nickname Salt City, as it supplied much of the nation’s salt throughout the 19th century.

In the mid-19th century, Syracuse continued to expand with the coming of the railways, and it developed further as an industrial powerhouse. Syracuse became known for its manufacturing and engineering prowess, producing everything from typewriters to automobiles. Despite the decline of its traditional industries in the late 20th century, Syracuse has reinvented itself as a center for education and other industries, home to institutions like Syracuse University and a diverse range of businesses.

Downtown Syracuse is the busy heart of the city with South Salina Street as the main north-south street and Jefferson and Fayette Streets as the major east-west. The downtown area is great to explore with its mix of historic contemporary buildings, and you can start at Clinton Square, which formed the original town center. The Erie Canal was once flowing here until filled in 1925, and you can see Soldiers and Sailors Monument from 1911 on the square. It is a beaux-arts monument commemorating the men, who served in the Civil War.

On the east side of Clinton Square you can see the four bank buildings: The Third National Bank Building from 1886, the Syracuse Savings Bank Building from 1875, the Gridley Building from 1867, and the Onondaga County Savings Bank Building from 1897. The Erie Canal was east-west between them at the present Erie Boulevard. To the west is the Clinton Exchange in Syracuse, which was built in 1928 as a US Post Office and federal building.

Close by to the east of Clinton Square, you can see the art deco State Tower Building. It was constructed as the highest building in Syracuse in 1927-1928. And if you walk behind the Clinton Exchange Building, you arrive at the Niagara Mohawk Building, which is a true masterpiece from the art deco era. It was built in 1932 as headquarters for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, and it is adorned by a stainless steel statue called The Spirit of Light which depicts a winged figure representing of the spread of electricity. Another notable site is the 1924 Hotel Syracuse, now known as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. It stands as a grand hotel from the booming 1920s.

There are several museums and cultural venues in the city too. The Landmark Theatre with its elaborate Oriental-style architecture is a must-see. It was opened as the Loew’s State Theater, designed by Thomas W. Lamb, and it is the city’s only surviving example of the opulent theatrical venues of the 1920s. A few blocks away is the Museum of Science and Technology with numerous interesting exhibitions in many fields of science. The museum is located in the former Syracuse Armory. Just south of the museum you can see a piece of the Berlin Wall, and to the north is the Shot Clock Monument which includes a 24-second shot clock.

East of South Salina Street is the square called Columbus Circle with architectural sights around it. You can see the Onondaga County Courthouse from 1904-1906 with its impressive Beaux-Arts design, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The church was completed in 1874 and is the seat of the Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse. Close to the square you will find the Everson Museum of Art, which was designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei. The museum houses an extensive collection of American art.

One of the major sights in Syracuse is the campus of Syracuse University, founded in 1870. The university’s architectural heritage includes notable buildings such as the Hall of Languages, the oldest building on campus, which features a distinctive Second Empire style. Another significant structure is the Crouse College, designed in the Romanesque Revival style, which houses the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. The campus also includes modern architectural marvels like the Newhouse School of Public Communications, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei.