City Market, Syracuse

The Salt City Market will occupy all or part of the footprint of the Hotel Mowry, site of at least two historical fires. Salt City Market: 484 South Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13202 Hotel Mowry: 496-498 South Salina Street Syracuse marches quickly onward to the 120th Anniversary of the first fire, which occurred March 1899. On that day, Hamilton S. White left a concert, probably organized by his wife Adelaide, and met his assistant, who brought White's fire gear and outfit in a wagon kept ready for the purpose. With the help of White, the ninety guests of the Hotel Mowry were saved. White, unfortunately, did not seek adequate medical attention for his chest pains. His memory is honored by a sculpture in Fireman's Park near the Hamilton S. White house. That makes an extraordinary story. However, the White family might be one of the sources of leadership in Syracuse Philanthropy, carried on by the Allyn Family Foundation. A Wikipedia article probably tells only an inkling of their good works. So many questions could be answered from our archives. What was the concert program on the night Hamilton S. White answered the fire bells? Did White REALLY invent the brass fire pole? Where are the houses that White made available to families displaced by fires? How should we honor this unique convergence of events, the fire's anniversary and the phoenix that arises from the ashes of that hotel? Maybe this is a moment around which our community can gather?