Utica is situated in the Mohawk Valley in Oneida County, between Syracuse and Albany in upstate New York. This small city has a rich and interesting history.
Before Europeans arrived, the Utica area was inhabited by the League of Six Nations, later known as the Iroqouis League. The town of Utica is on the site of Old Fort Schuyler, the first European fort in the area.
Construction started on the Eagle Brewing Company building in 1888. It was the first building in the region with a mechanical refrigeration system. Well-known Philadelphia architect A.C. Wager designed the building.
Built in 1960, the brand new Utica Memorial Auditorium in 1960 allowed Utica to host large popular events. Residents no longer had to travel to New York City. Singer Paul Anka played at the new auditorium just three months after the auditorium was built. Over 3,000 teenaged fans paid $1.90 for tickets. The 4 Dimensions, Santo and Johnny, The Counts, Bobby Comstock also performed.
Many historic landmarks were demolished during the urban renewal movement from the 1960s to the 1990s. These included Old Utica City Hall. This loss of architectural history lead to the creation of Utica's Scenic and Historic Preservation Commission, and designated historic districts.
