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Syracuse, New York

April 24, 2021

I should stop being surprised that cities I never considered visiting would offer such interesting sites. In the case of Syracuse, the art deco fortress that was home to Niagara Mohawk for decades (and is now a historic landmark) captured our attention for a long time today.The building itself is closed to the public for now, but there was plenty of signage in the windows to tell the story - it was once the largest electric utility in the nation, the main spire features a metal figure called the "Spirit of Energy" and all of the exterior features are "shiny aluminum or steel that surrounds glass and scalloped stonework." Within a couple of blocks are some other gems: Clinton Square where the Erie Canal once ran and, in addition to a nice seating area, is now an outdoor ice rink in the winter and marketplace in the summer. (Today, it was neither, but still interesting) Hanover Square, the original village of Syracuse which boasts some beautiful 19th century architecture, a part of the Freedom Trail of sites that were part of the city's abolitionist movement - and a  clever don't litter campaign on its trashcans. Downtown, where we at dinner at the Salt City Market.