Elmwood Park (Syracuse, New York)

Elmwood Park is located in the southwestern portion of Syracuse, New York.^[2] The park was originally built and opened as a privately owned park in 1893. It is significant as an example of such parks from the Pleasure Ground Era. After the site was purchased by the city of Syracuse in 1927, bridges, embankments, walls and stairs built of wood and stone were added, making the park also representative of the Reform Park Era. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.^[1]

History

Earliest records from 1796 show transfer of land title from Elliot Herrin to Comfort Tyler. Dating back to 1806, a furnace was constructed on the site to cast shot and shells and the park was the location of a battle in the

In May 1896, Pardee sold the resort to Billy McGlory, a saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York City. McGlory renamed the place " “Elmwood Elysium" and attempted to run it from May 1896 but finally closed it on June 21, 1899. McGlory faced intense backlash from the temperance crowd and was driven away after relentless opposition from the locals.^[4] After his left, the park was briefly reopened as Dreamland Park, but that failed, and it was left to grow wild. In 1909, a fire burned down many of its old buildings.

In 1927, the city purchased the land and Elmwood was developed into a park, with stone bridges, walls, and stairs to enhance the natural features.

• 
  1830s stone mill
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  Furnace Brook Dam
• 
  One of two remaining stone bridges over Furnace Brook
• 
  The second remaining stone bridge
• 
  One of many stone retaining walls
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  One of thirteen stone stairways
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  Another stairway
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  Another stairway
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  Gateposts at east entrance

References

External links

• Official website