Historic Preservation

The Oswego & Syracuse Railroad Freight House

Located at 20-24 West Utica Street, Oswego, the freight house is one of the oldest standing railroad bridges in New York State. The Heritage Foundation assisted the owner with getting the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places by funding the application. Heritage has recently learned that the Pomeroy Foundation has approved an historic marker for the site. The freight house was used to unload and store freight brought to the City by rail. It could then be loaded into other conveyance for transportation to its final destination. The building is important for its step gabled limestone and timber construction.

Richardson Bates House Museum

This 19th century Italian Villa was build in 1867 for Maxwell Richardson, who was a local attorney, real estate agent, and two term Oswego City Mayor. The architect was Andrew Jackson Warner and the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house and 90 percent of its furnishings were donated by the family to the Oswego County Historical Society and is known to be one of the most complete house museums in New York. Most recently the Oswego County Heritage Foundation provided grant funding to help pay for the front door restoration at this historic home.

Oswego City Hall

Designed by Horatio Nelson White and build in 1870, City Hall is a two-story masonry mansard structure with a central clock tower. It is a 2 story masonry mansard structure with a central clock tower. The structure was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Pratt House and Historical Museum

This home was built in 1861 in the Italianate style and listed on the National Register of Historic places. It currently houses local history exhibits and is managed by the Friends of History in Fulton, NY.

Oswego County Courthouse

This two-story cruciform plan building of masonry and limestone was also designed by Horatio Nelson White. It was built in 1859-1860 with alterations in 1891 and 1962. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

George B. Sloan House

This is a 19th century American Italianate built of Ithaca limestone from 1866-1870. The Italianate style was popular for its irregular lines and natural colors and could be mimicked by the wealthy and “ordinary” people. The Sloan property also exhibits a large Stick Style carriage house. The Stick Style highlighted the wood construction with wood overlay on the exterior that echoed the interior wood framing. It was popular for its inexpensive way of looking elaborate without the use of stone or brick.

Walton & Willett Stone Store (aka Cahill Fish Building)

This building was largely saved by the grassroots efforts of Save Oswego Historic Sites and the City of Oswego. Local developer Anthony Pauldine purchased the building and began the delicate task of removing and cataloging the stone to allow a proper rebuilding of the south wall along with other significant efforts to save this historic building on the Oswego River. The property is now ready to be reopened as Cahill Landing. The Heritage Foundation is proud to have nominated this building and Anthony Pauldine for a Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS at their annual awards event in 2019.

The Heritage Foundation of Oswego is proud to have worked with Save Oswego’s Historic Sites and further increased this collaboration by having members of this local group become vital board members of our organization.