Utica, New York

Utica city is located in Central New York State and is considered as the principal seat of the Oneida County. It is strategically located in the region that is commonly referred as Mohawk Valley and runs along the New York Barge Canal and the Erie Canal. As the city is just 500 miles away from the top 17 of the 50 US markets, it has several attributes that makes it the perfect location for businesses and raising a family. According to 2010 U.S Census, the city is home to 62,235 residents which is an increase of around 2.6% when compared with the 2000 census.

Historically known as the socioeconomic hub for Oneida County, Utica offers its people and visitors a small-city charm, affordable housing, abundant industry, and countless recreational opportunities and above all, a diverse ethnic and cultural community. Ideally located at the foothills of Adirondacks Mountains, the city is an hour's travel to several streams, rivers and lakes such as Blue Mountain Lake, Raquette Lake and Fulton chain of lakes. The city is also a home to many parks, with summer and winter sports facilities.

Utica along with some neighboring cities of Rome is considered as the principal cities of New York Metropolitan Statistical Area including Herkimer and Oneida Counties and Utica-Rome.

Utica is a great place to live in. The city also has a bustling nightlife, various places to eat, places to see and can also offer you a great shopping experience. It is also an area of history and culture.

Utica History

Europeans were the first people who settled in Utica in 1773 on Fort Schuyler site. Later, it was abandoned in the French and Indian war and was destroyed completely during the American Revolution by Native Americans and Tories. A road was constructed in 1794 to Albany, New York which got extended to Genesee River. The creation of Seneca Turnpike marked as an important factor in the development of the city as it became the relocating and resting place on Mohawk River for people and goods which were moving to Western New York.

Moses Bagg, who was a blacksmith, built a tavern to accommodate the travelers. After few years, this tiny shanty tavern was reconstructed to a pub & inn and was named as "Baggs Hotel". In 1798, the city was incorporated as a village and subsequently extended its borders in 1805 and 1817.

Migration to America occurred between 1880 and 1920 and Italians, especially Dr. John B. Marchisi was the first person to outline the borders of the Utica city in 1817. While the immigrants found jobs in local industries, many entrepreneurs began small businesses in the city. Soon, the county reflected an Italian life culture in itself and the community grew into political prominence which played a leading role in Utica Politics.

Utica also witnessed the settlement of the largest and influential Welsh community in the US. As the city suffered from poor harvests during 1789 and 1802, the Welsh community adapted traditional agricultural methods and introduced dairying in their region. Welsh butter soon became a valued product in New York market. The Welsh-American community played a vital role in the City's economy by establishing a printing industry.

Located on Erie Canal, Utica stirred its industrial development. Canals were created at the each end of the Erie Canal. The first portion was created in the middle section in 1820. Later, the Chenango Canal that connects Binghamton and Utica was opened in 1836. With these creations, it made the town a perfect stop-over center for many travelers and businesses. By 19th century, the city became the hub for transportation and commercial activities. Investment from local entrepreneurs helped the city's textile industry to expand their business. However, by the 20th century all textile mills were closed and were migrated to South America.

Local entrepreneurs and city leaders tried their best to build the city losses. The improvements in the last years were unprecedented and large number of private and public buildings were erected with the view to enlarge and improve the city. Museums were built and the notable Stanley Theater got expanded making it a vibrant neighborhood again. The reputation of Utica College also attracted many people to downtown.

About Utica, New York

According to U.S Census, Utica has an area of 16.6 square miles, out of which 0.3 square miles is water and 16.4 square miles is land. The city experiences a continental climate and is characterized by moderate summers and cold winters.

The diverse attributes of the city provides the residents and visitors an exceptional quality of life. Natural History, Children's Museum of History and Science & Technology museum offers a hands-on display of exhibits detailing on environmental science, local history, space science and arts that attracts global visitors. Some of its popular and interactive exhibits include an LED dance floor, life-size wooden train, a real airplane in which kids can explore, live weather and radio rooms and many more. Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art has almost 20 galleries that feature 25,000 European and American 18th, 19th and 20th-century paintings and decorative arts. Some of the other museums in the city include Oneida County Historical Society, National Distance Running Hall of Fame and New York State Twirlers Hall of Fame

The Stanley Center for the Artists is a Mexican-baroque movie palace, designed by Thomas Lamb who was a prolific theater architect. Owned and managed by Central New York Community Arts Council (CNYCAC), this museum is an important piece of regional arts scene and is a home to Broadway Theater League, Great Artist Series, Utica Symphony Orchestra and touring shows. The Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area that is spread across 213 acres is a home to tremendous variety of animals, birds and plants. It offers countless outdoor recreational opportunities such as bike and walking trails, water control dikes, pavilion and boat-launch site for Mohawk River. Utica also has a great park system and is a home to 18-hole golf course, 18 championship tennis courts, a downhill, two municipal pools, a Parkway Recreation Center or Ski Chalet, cross country ski complex and recently build half pipe, especially for snow board enthusiasts.

Utica hosts some notable events such as the Boilermaker 15K Road Race where you can participate or watch more than 10,000 runners go by. This event is considered as the largest road race in U.S. The city organizes the largest winter festival known as "Snowfari" where it draws more than thousands of recreational enthusiasts and at the same time raise funds for Utica Zoo.

The city is home to the Utica College and the higher education options in the city are numerous, giving education an importance for the bright future of the city. Utica has an assortment of ethnic cuisines in its numerous Italian-American restaurants. Piggy Pats Pickled Pig Pub is their famous restaurant which offers barbeque and live band in a very entertaining and casual setting.

About Oneida County, New York

Located in New York, the county seat of Oneida is Utica. According to 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Oneida Country is 234,878. The county was named in the honor of an Iroquoian tribe, known as Oneida who formerly occupied that region. Located in the central position of New York, it lies west of Albany and east of Syracuse. According to U.S Census Bureau, the total area of the county is 1,257 square miles, out of which 44 square miles is water and 1,213 square miles is land.

Its cities, towns and also villages offer a very wide variety of events, attractions and adventures all-year round. The County offers many outdoor festivals, multitude of attractions, bocce ball tournaments, art exhibitions, boating, harness racing and various other recreational activities. Their golf courses are known to be the best in New York. You can even take a joyous ride in Adirondack Scenic Railroad to take you from the Oneida County to Adirondack Mountains.

Lakes and Beaches in the county such as Verona Beach State Park, Delta Lake State Park, Sylvan Beach and many more offer endless recreational opportunities. From Baroque halls of historic Stanley theater to Modernist architectural of Museum of Art, the County has literally everything from old masters display to Broadway hits. Art-lovers can spend their time in numerous museums that the county hosts. The county also caters to golfers by offering them to choose from their 28 fine golf courses. It is also a home to many historic sites such as Fort Stanwix National Monument, Steuben Memorial, Oriskany Battlefield, Erie Canal Village and many more where you experience the history and culture of the its original inhabitants.

You can also experience world-class entertainment, accommodations and restaurants that suit everyone's taste. The County hosts countless activities and events for couples and kids, gamers and golfers, art lovers and history buffs, snowmobilers, sports enthusiast, shoppers, bird watchers and everyone. Notable locations in the county that draw global visitors include Steuben Memorial State Historic Site, Fort Stanwix, Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site and Griffiss Air Force Base. There are also endless opportunities in the field of Education as the county has got best universities and colleges in New York.