Overview

Tucked away in New York's storied Mohawk River Valley, Utica has worn many hats since Europeans first settled during the late 18th century. Before Anglo-Saxons came, the land was the stomping grounds of the Oneida Tribe, part of the mighty Iroquois Nation. Dutch, English, and French settlers took little time realizing the potential profit of the Mohawk Valley, and in 1758, Fort Schulyer was constructed to control fur interests and serve as the region's link to East Coast markets � the Mohawk River was easiest to ford here. By the start of the 19th century, permanent houses had sprung up and work had begun on the Erie Canal, giving Utica increased importance as a hub between eastern and western New York. Trains began regular runs between Utica, Schenectady, and Albany by 1836. Prior to the Civil War, Utica established itself as the state's � if not the nation's � textile capital, and its river banks were alive with the sound of steam-driven looms. Although the town's role as a textile center would fade in the 1940s and 50s (when many larger mills relocated south), city and county leaders were able to attract new businesses like General Electric, Bendix, Utica Drop Forge and Tool, and Univac. While today's Utica bears little resemblance to that 19th-century textile town, its economy is still strong. Utica College, established by Syracuse University in 1946, and the prestigious Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute give Utica a young feel and help make it Oneida County's center for arts and culture. Visitors should make sure to check out the Oneida County Historical Society Museum on Genesee Street, Utica Zoo and its resident sea lions, and FX Matt Brewing Company � where tasty Saranac ales and pilsners are brewed and then sampled by guests at the 1888 Tavern.

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