GEDDES⁵ -- was formed from Salina, March 18, 1848.  It lies upon the w. bank of Onondaga Lake, a little N. of the center of the co.  Its surface is level in the N. and rolling in the S.  In the S. E. part are several isolated, rounded drift hills, or knolls.  Seneca River forms the N. boundary, and Onondaga Creek a part of the E.  Nine Mile Creek flows E. through near the center.  The soil is a clayey and sandy loam.  Near the S. W. extremity of the lake are several salt wells.⁶  The New York State Asylum for Idiots is in the E. part, near the line of Syracuse; and the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. coal depot is on the canal.  In the S. E. part are extensive stone quarries.  Geddes, (p.v.,) in the S. E. part, was incorp. April 20, 1832.  It contains 2 churches, a brewery and distillery, and a large number of salt works.  Pop. 950.  The first settlement was commenced by James Geddes, in 1794.⁷  The census reports 2 churches; Prot. E. and M. E.

⁵  Named from Hon. James Geddes, first settler.

⁶  The first salt well was dug by James Geddes, in 1796.  The Indians claimed the springs W. of the lake; but they adopted Mr. Geddes into their tribe, and allowed him to go on with his works.  There are now in town 46 fine salt works, and 7,442 coarse salt covers.  See page 479.

⁷  Among the other early settlers were Freeman Hughes and James Lamb.  Nancy Root taught the first school, in 1803; James Lamb kept the first inn, in 1803; and Noah Smith built the first sawmill, in 1825.

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1 May 1997

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