Oneida, NY was originally inhabited by the Oneida Indians and developed around agriculture and the railroad industry. In the late 19th century, it became known as a silverware manufacturing hub due to Oneida Limited, though the company closed in the 1990s. Today, the Oneida Indian Nation is the largest employer in the area through its casinos, hotels, and golf courses, bringing over 4 million visitors annually and helping establish a new economic identity for the town centered around tourism and customer service.
1. A SENSE OF PLACE IN ONEIDA, NY Caitlin Heimbaugh
2. Oneida’s sense of place can be described as a small suburban town filled with family owned businesses, Victorian homes, surrounded by agriculture and united with home town pride. Sense of Place Description
3. History began with the Indians Oneida was first inhabited by the Oneida Indians. In 1794, the Canandaigua Treaty was signed, acknowledging the Oneida’s sovereignty, land rights and tax freedoms of the Indians.
4. Along came the Railroad In 1839, the first railroad known as the New York Central, was built and ran right through the center of the town creating the Oneida Depot. The development of the railroad increased the amount of trading stores and restaurants began to develop around the depot creating a town square.
5. A Silverware City In 1880, the community opened a metal and silverware manufacturing company, later known as Oneida Limited. This metal manufacturing company contributed and thrived throughout both world wars. However, in the late 1990s Oneida Limited, which was the largest employer in the area, closed its doors.
6. A New Economic Beginning In 1993, the Oneida Indian Nation opened the Turning Stone Casino. Today the Nation is the largest employer in the area. They now own three hotels, an expanding casino, a night club, a chain of tax free gas stations, and some of the most well known golf courses in New York. The Oneida Indian Nation brings in over 4 million people a year.
8. Architecture: Downtown Oneida The old side of town is also known as Downtown Oneida. Many of the buildings were originally built in the 1870s and have been restored over time.
9. Architecture: West Side The West side of Oneida is still considered part of the Old Town with a mixture of old Victorian homes and churches.
12. Elements to Experience: Climate Central New York is known for their hot humid summers, beautiful fall leaves and lake effect snow.
13. Cuisine.. Italiano! In a town that is only 15 miles wide, there are six pizzerias and three Italian restaurants. The Oneida area is most well known for its Chicken Riggies. A pasta dish with a vodka marinara sauce with chicken, peppers, onions, mushrooms and lots of parmesan cheese.
14. Culture The main source of employment in the community created and established a culture in Oneida. The job scope has now changed from manual labor and industrial assembly lines to customer service related positions. The dynamic and personality of the town has changed with its economic accomplishments.
15. Thank you for visiting Oneida New York. “A bit of America at it’s Best!”
