The early settlement of Onondaga Hollow was established near the marshes contiguous to Lake Onondaga to extract salt from the marshy brine. Large shallow pans were filled with marsh water and allowed to evaporate in the baking sun.

Salt was a valuable commodity. As upstate New York became settled and more land cultivated, cattle and pork production also increased. In the pre-refrigeration era of history, salt was essential for the preservation food, especially meat and fish.

The rise of the city is tied to the Erie of Canal which went through its center. Salt was shipped via the canal to points east and west, giving Syracuse the nickname Salt City.

During the winter the populace of the city used to enjoy skating on the canal in the square dedicated to the person primarily responsible for the canal—Dewit Clinton. The photo of Clinton Square shows a park with a reflecting pool located where the canal used to be. In the winter skating is still popular.