OSWEGO. A city, port of entry, and the county-seat of Oswego County, N. Y., 36 miles north by west of Syracuse; the terminus of the Oswego Canal. on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Oswego River, and on the New York, Ontario and Western, the Delaware. Lacka wanna and 'Western, and the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroads (Map: New York, 2). It is finely situated at a slight elevation above the lake. and is laid out with regular and broad streets. Fine drives skirt both sides of the river and the shore of the lake. There are six public parks. Oswego is the seat of a State normal and training school, and has the Gerritt Smith Library. Other prominent structures are the city hall, court house. United Stales Govern ment Building, and the State Arsenal. A United States life-saving station is here: and the old French fort possesses an historic interest. Fort ()Mario defends the harbor, which consists of an outer and an inner haven, protected by break waters and accessible for large steamers. There are three immense trestles that facilitate the ex tensive coal trade carried on by the port. Con siderable of grain and lumber also are handled. The foreign commerce of Oswego in consisted of exports valued at $2.092.000, and imports to the amount of $044,000. The city has excellent water power, and is noted for its manu factures, which include starch, knit goods, shade cloth, ear springs, boilers and engines, malt, yarn. matches, oil-well supplies, etc. In the census year of 1900 an aggregate capital of $7,323,00o was invested in the various industries, which had a production valued at $8,138,000.
I uder the elmrter of 1806, the government is vested in a mayor, elected biennially, and a cynnton council. The members of the department of lire and police are chosen by popular vote. Appointments to other important offices are con trolled by the Mayor, whose nominations to some departments are made, however, subject to the consent of the council. Oswego owns and operates the water-works. Population, in 1890, 21,842; in 1900, 22,199.
Established as a military station and trading post about 1724, Owego was incorporated as a village in 1828, and was chartered as a city in 1848. Owing to its location, it was an exceed ingly important post in King George's War and the French and Indian War. In 1755 Colonel Mercer built two strong forts here, and in August, 1756, General Slontealm attacked and captured the place, and demolished the works, 30 men being killed or wounded on each side, and 1700 English prisoners being taken. In 1759 Oswego was the centre of military operations in this part of the country, and the point from which General Amherst with 10,000 men started to meet Wolfe at Quebec. In 1766 Pontiac here met Sir William Johnson and formally submit ted to the English. On May 6, 1814, a strong English force captured the fort after a sharp en gagement. Consult Churchill, Smith, and Child, Landmarks of Oswego County (Syracuse, N. Y., 1895).