In
the early days, Onondaga was one of the most important military posts
in New York State. In 1808, an act was passed authorizing
the Governor of the State to deposit five hundred stand of arms at
Onondaga,
for the defense of the frontier, and such quantities of ammunition and
military stores, as in his opinion would be necessary in case of an
invasion.
The Governor was also authorized and empowered to provide, at the
expense
of the State, a suitable place for the keeping of said arms and
military
stores, in good order, and fit for immediate service, and to appoint
keepers
of said places of deposit.
In 1809 Cornelius Longstreet deeded the land for the arsenal to the State of New York. Cornelius Longstreet was the father of Cornelius T. Longstreet, builder of Yates Castle.
In 1809 Cornelius Longstreet deeded the land for the arsenal to the State of New York. Cornelius Longstreet was the father of Cornelius T. Longstreet, builder of Yates Castle.
Building Erected in 1810.
The building was
erected in 1810 on a hill half a mile east of Onondaga Valley. It
was an Onondaga limestone structure two and one-half stories high, and
soon after its completion was filled with stores and ammunition sent
there by the secretary of war. It was built by New York State and
used by the United States. Limestone for the construction was
obtained from the quarries on what was part of the House farm. On
its roof were two huge wooden cannons which indicated the purpose of
the building.
During the war of 1812 Nicholas Mickles was commissioned by the government to cast shot and shells for the army and navy. These munitions of war were stored at the old arsenal and later sent to Sackett's Harbor and Oswego to be put into use. Jasper Hopper was a United States Commissary agent for procuring and distributing rations at the arsenal to the army on its marches to and from the frontier during the War of 1812. Captain Beebe owned and kept a tavern near the court house, and in the war of 1812 kept the arsenal at the valley.
It was abandoned in 1815 after the war of 1812 ended, when the necessity for its maintenance had passed, but the last time the arsenal was used by the State was during the Civil War when Brig. Gen. John A. Green of the National guard, stored a quantity of State arms there.
From Pioneer Times in the Onondaga Country, by C. E. Smith,
C. W. Bardeen, Publisher, Syracuse, NY, 1904, pg. 12
From The Syracuse Herald, 8 February 1914, pg. 22
Old Arsenal
The Old Arsenal - Built 1812 - Onondaga Valley, N.Y.
(from Onondaga County Library Postcard Collection)
The Old State Arsenal of Onondaga Valley, near Syracuse, NY
Onondaga County Arsenal
From Syracuse Herald American, 6 November 1988, pg. BB8
The northeast corner still standing, with a few pocked beams embedded in the Onondaga limestome blocks.
During the war of 1812 Nicholas Mickles was commissioned by the government to cast shot and shells for the army and navy. These munitions of war were stored at the old arsenal and later sent to Sackett's Harbor and Oswego to be put into use. Jasper Hopper was a United States Commissary agent for procuring and distributing rations at the arsenal to the army on its marches to and from the frontier during the War of 1812. Captain Beebe owned and kept a tavern near the court house, and in the war of 1812 kept the arsenal at the valley.
It was abandoned in 1815 after the war of 1812 ended, when the necessity for its maintenance had passed, but the last time the arsenal was used by the State was during the Civil War when Brig. Gen. John A. Green of the National guard, stored a quantity of State arms there.
From Pioneer Times in the Onondaga Country, by C. E. Smith,
C. W. Bardeen, Publisher, Syracuse, NY, 1904, pg. 12
From The Syracuse Herald, 8 February 1914, pg. 22
Old Arsenal
The Old Arsenal - Built 1812 - Onondaga Valley, N.Y.
(from Onondaga County Library Postcard Collection)
The Old State Arsenal of Onondaga Valley, near Syracuse, NY
Onondaga County Arsenal
From Syracuse Herald American, 6 November 1988, pg. BB8
The northeast corner still standing, with a few pocked beams embedded in the Onondaga limestome blocks.
With the old arsenal
in ruins, the only relic of the War of 1812 remaining in Onondaga
County are two graves and a monument at the top of West Seneca Turnpike
Hill. One grave is that of Capt. Benjamin Branch of the U.S.
Light Artillery, who died Oct. 14, 1813 in Onondaga Hollow as his
company was marching through that village. Capt. Branch's
company was encamped on what is known as
Academy Green when he was stricken with a fatal illness. He was
from Virginia. The other
grave is for Capt. Henry Crouch who died in the spring of 1814.
Frosts of winter, driving rains of spring and fall and suns of summer annually take their toll on the arsenal. Each year the ruins grow smaller.
Frosts of winter, driving rains of spring and fall and suns of summer annually take their toll on the arsenal. Each year the ruins grow smaller.
Submitted 2 February 2006
Updated 13 March 2006