“Iconic Syracuse” opened today – a large scale installation at the intersection of West Fayette and Fayette Streets.  Playing on “connections,” the 12-part series features iconic historic photos of Syracuse from along the Connective Corridor, paired with original paintings by Syracuse University students inspired by those scenes.

The project embodies “scholarship in action” and community engagement – the two key goals of the Connective Corridor.  It is also designed to be a gateway beautification project, adjacent to the newly landscaped entries to Armory Square and the Warehouse, also recently completed through the Connective Corridor.

The first installation features a historic photo of Fayette Park with an ornate, Victorian cast-iron fountain which was installed in Fayette Park in the 1871 as a gift to the city from John Crouse, benefactor of Syracuse University’s Crouse College.  The fountain featured a series of mythical sea creatures including “King Neptune” at the very top with his trident.  It was removed around the time of World War II.

Student artists who are creating original large scale oil paintings inspired by the iconic scenes curated by OHA include Greg Mawicke and Jesse Handelman, both Industrial and Interaction Design students working with Professor Denise Heckman.

Mawicke painted the image that accompanies the photo of Fayette Park.

Images for the series were curated by Dennis Connors, Curator of History at OHA, who also provided the contextual background.  Other featured OHA images in the series will include:

805 Genesee Street

This building once served as a Pierce-Arrow auto dealership in the 1920s.  In this 1952 view it was a retail space for construction equipment. Later years saw it selling sports gear and then medical supplies.  It now houses the Community Folk Art Gallery.

University / Grace Episcopal

A pre-auto, snow covered University Avenue is seen in this late 19th century photo as a useful opportunity both for children to play and a sleigh to maneuver.  This view shows Grace Episcopal Church, built in 1876, in the foreground.

Genesee and Forman Park

East Genesee Street, between Fayette and University Avenue was primarily a residential district until the advent of the automobile in the early 20th century began to alter it into a commercial corridor.

This c1930 scene shows a Victorian house converted to a gas station at the northeast corner of Genesee and Forman Avenue.

Firehouse

This mid-19th century building in the 500 block of Eat Genesee Street may have once served as a livery stable.  It was later acquired by the city in the 1890s to use as a firehouse for a piece of equipment known then as a “water tower,” which allowed firemen to elevate their hoses several feet into the air.

Fayette Park

The intersection of State and Fayette streets about 1930 shows the ongoing transition of the Fayette Park area from residential to commercial.  The park, itself, features a few of the majestic elm trees that once graced the city, while the nearest corner is occupied by a “smoke shop,” a once ubiquitous retail establishment in downtown.

Fayette and Warren

A view from around 1912 looks east down Fayette Street from Warren.  A streetcar approaches and the landmark steeple of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral towers over the scene.

University Club / The Valentine Family Home on Fayette Park

This classic Greek Revival home once stood on the present site of the Central New York Philanthropy Center, the former University Club building.  It was torn down to allow for construction of the clubhouse in 1917.

East Fayette and South State Street

The ornate, mid-19th century home of John Crouse, donor of Syracuse University’s Crouse College, stood at the northeast corner of State and Fayette streets.  It was eventually overshadowed in 1887 by the adjacent construction of an outrageously flamboyant stable by his son, Daniel, a lover of fine horses and sumptuous surroundings.  Both buildings have long been demolished.

Fayette and State Street

A city streetcar, headed for Syracuse University, moves south on State Street in 1903, passing by the site now occupied by the One Park Place office building.

Genesee and State Street

This 1920 photo documents the 19th century residences that once faced the south side of Fayette Park.  All have since been demolished.

Railroad Plate Girders

The construction of an elevated route for the trains of the DL&W Railroad was completed on the west side of downtown in 1940. The erection of the bridge over West Fayette Street, seen here, created what is now a landmark gateway to the Near West Side.