Write a commentThe Heritage Foundation of Oswego County and Oswego City Historian, Mark Slosek have announced that a ceremony to unveil and dedicate a historic transportation marker for the City of Oswego Harbor Rail-Trail Bridge will take place on Wednesday, July 17th at 5:00 p.m. at the west entrance of the bridge.
A brief presentation will be made by Historian Mark Slosek along with comments by distinguished guests including the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and local elected officials. The public is cordially invited to attend this dedication ceremony and those planning to attend are requested to assemble at the west entrance of the Harbor Rail-Trail Oswego River Bridge behind Dunkin Donuts.
The railroad bridge was originally constructed in 1875 by the John Hunter Company, owner of Hunter Arms of Fulton, NY & opened in April 1876. The bridge was rebuilt between 1912 & 1914 by the Phoenix Bridge Company. After the last train crossed the bridge in 1983, the City of Oswego worked to acquire the bridge which they accomplished in 1986 with the intention to open it to the public. In July 2001, the Harbor Rail-Trail Oswego River Bridge was officially completed & opened. In 2022, a decorative lighting project was completed by the City of Oswego with the assistance of a State grant.
The historic marker was awarded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation through its Historic Transportation Marker Grant Program after extensive research was completed to demonstrate that the inscription is historically accurate. The Foundation established the Historic Marker Program in 2006 because Bill and Sandra Pomeroy felt that the history of our towns and villages is important to preserve. They also believe it serves to educate the public and fill a need gap, as New York stopped funding roadside markers in 1939.
