In February 2003, the Oneida Public Library dedicated its fourth Winter Jubilee of special programming to America’s Jazz Age, a period of boom and bust in the City of Oneida as in the rest of the country. Dubbed When the Twenties Roared: America in the Jazz Age, the Winter Jubilee offered special programs on the architecture, literature, music and dance of the 1920s. Included was an exhibit of vintage photographs of Oneida in the Jazz Age, made available to the library by the Madison County Historical Society, Oneida, N.Y. These photographs have been digitized. and they are presented here with the descriptions provided for the exhibit by Matthew Urtz.
Click on any of the images below to see them with their description.
Trolley Ride (c. 1920s) When automobiles were still rich men’s toys and had yet to transform the cityscape, workers commuting to the factories of Oneida Ltd. could enjoy a trolley ride over Oneida Creek in Kenwood. The trolley made regular runs from the main factory, down Sherrill Road and behind the Mansion House. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1474)
Main Street (c. 1925) The view of main Street in Oneida, looking south along the old feeder canal at Washington Avenue. The old Erie Canal feeder took water from Oneida Creek, ran parallel to Main Street in Oneida and entered the old Erie Canal near Lake Road just west of Durhamville. The City began filling in the feeder soon after this picture was taken. In the 1930s, the City built Triangle Park between Washington and Stone streets. Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.60.10)
Madison Street, Looking East (c. 1930) Madison Street, as viewed from James Street, is busy with window shoppers on their way to the Grand Union or stopping to get a bite to eat at the Madison Hotel. Some may be in the market for a haircut at Joseph Flint’s barber shop or Mrs. Maude Everrett’s beauty parlor. When the day is done, Oneidans might catch a double-feature at the Madison Theater. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1406)
Employees of Powell & Goldstein (c. 1920) The employees of Powell & Goldstein’s Cigar Factory take time out of their ten-hour work day to pose for a picture. The company was located on the corner of Madison and Main streets above what is now Napoleon’s cafe. The cigar business was eventually sold off in 1943. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1468)
Oneida Steel Pulley Company (c. 1918) The Oneida Steel Pulley Company, located at 129 Cedar Street, was taken over by Dodge Steel Pulley Co. The building also housed A. F. Ryan and Sons for more than 35 years. The building burned down in 1972. The City is now attempting to rehabilitate the area for new construction. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1573)
Old Troop D Barracks and Stables (c. 1925) In 1919, Troop D of the New York State Police built its barracks and stables at 240 Genesee Street. By the late 1920s, the stables had been transformed into a garage to house the latest in patrol cars and the troopers’ favorite horsepowered vehicle, the motorcycle. The barracks was razed in 1985, but the stables remain as part of Weldon Motor Sales. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1473)
Railroad Freight House (c. 1928) The New York Central Railroad’s Freight House in Oneida was located east of Main Street. This photograph was taken from the south side of the tracks. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society)
Surgery at the Broad Street Hospital (c. 1920s) Broad Street Hospital was a private hospital founded by Dr. Eugene H. Carpenter in 1907. He expanded the hospital seven years later with 50 new beds as well as a nursing school. He then turned the hospital over to a not-for-profit corporation. In 1937, a new hospital was built behind it, the Broad Street Hospital was razed, and its site turned into lawn for the new hospital. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #95.22.05)
Oneida Free Library (1924) On April 30, 1924, Miss Nellie Mirick unlocked the door to this room in the old Chamber of Commerce Building on Lenox Avenue and opened the Oneida Free Library to the public for the first time. (Oneida Public Library Archives)
Elks Lodge (c. 1920s) Lodge 767 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, founded in 1902, bought their current home at 191 Main Street from the Mott family. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society)
Chapman House (c. 1920s) This house at 218 Broad Street was first built for B. F. Chapman in 1880. He was a lawyer who moved to Oneida from Clockville. He also operated a hosiery mill on the property. It was sold and became the Odd Fellows Lodge before being turned into apartments in 1940. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #82.76C)
Maxon House (c. 1928) This house, once located at 317 Main Street, was the home of the Samuel A. Maxon family for over 50 years. The family built the house in 1875 and lived in it up until Mrs. Sylvia L. Maxon died. The property was sold and the house razed in 1929. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.2185)
Oneida High School Sophomore Class (1926) The Sophomore Class poses in front of the Oneida High School located at 457 Main Street. It became the Junior High School in 1928, closed in 1972 and was demolished in 1973. It is now a vacant lot. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #00.1366)
The Basketball Heroes (1927) Menzo Root (l.) and Charles French (r.) were teammates on the Oneida High School basketball team during the 1926-1927 season. Menzo, a junior, was a guard on the team while Charles, a senior, played a forward position. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #86.125.4)
Art Class at Oneida High School (c. 1930) An art class paints while younger students observe their work in the new Oneida High School gymnasium, located at 452 Elizabeth Street. (Courtesy Madison County Historical Society, #88.45)