Oswego County 543 



the country occupied by the Five Nations as far west as Oswego. 

 About twenty years later a trading house was built at this point 

 under the direction of the New York colonial government and a 

 considerable trade was carried on by the English between Oswego 

 and Albany through the Oswego River, Oneida River and Lake, 

 Wood Creek, and the Mohawk. 



When the English built a fort on the west bank of the river 

 in 1727, the French, who also claimed this territory, remonstrated 

 against the action of the English. In 1756 it was captured by the 

 French under Montcalm, and the fortifications were demolished. 

 Two years later it was rebuilt by Colonel Bradstreet. In 1760 

 Lord Amherst embarked here with a powerful army, and from 

 this time Oswego became the most important post on the frontier. 

 It continued in possession of the British until 1796, when it was 

 surrendered under the provisions of Jay's treaty. 



In 1790 George Scriha, a merchant of ^New York City, pur- 

 chased 500,000 acres of land lying between lakes Oneida and 

 Ontario for the sum of $80,000. Fnder his management a few 

 settlements were made at various points previous to 1800, but 

 immigration did not take place rapidly for a number of years. 

 In common with other frontier settlements, the growth of this 

 region was seriously retarded by the War of 1812. 



During May, 1814, Oswego was taken by the British. After 

 the return of peace the history of this section became one of con- 

 tinued progress. The opening of the Erie and Oswego canals 

 in this state and of the Welland Canal in Canada greatly in- 

 creased the commercial importance of Oswego and stimulated 

 manufacturing interests throughout the county. Steam naviga- 

 tion was opened in Lake Ontario in 1816, and this, together with 

 general improvements of navigation, caused Oswego to make a 

 remarkable growth. 



DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY 

 As soon as the land was cleared stock raising was given con- 

 siderable attention. At about 1860 dairying became of paramount 

 importance and still continues to be the leading industry. Fruit 

 raising is one of the chief industries, including berries, currants, 

 pears, peaches, apples, and grapes. Oswego County is especially 



