Wanderlust World Wanderlust World There is only one place in the United States where the green light is on the top and the red light is on the bottom--Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. The story goes that the local Irish population refused to accept that red topped their favorite color green. In a repeated act of civil disobedience, rocks would be hurled at the red light, knocking it out. Finally an agreement with the city made it legal for the light at the corner of Tompkins and Milton to be green on top and red on the bottom. Needless to say, this is the epicenter of Syracuse's Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.
Location: West side of Syracuse at the corner of Tompkins Road and Milton Avenue. Near Coleman's Tavern.
As you drive along route 81 north of downtown Syracuse, look for a red brick factory with the name "Penfield Manufacturing" on the side. Then look to the roof and you will see the Victorian home that has been a mystery to most who grew up in Syracuse. Built by the Moyer family when the factory was used to manufacture mattresses, the rumors about the house were that Mrs. Moyer refused to move to Syracuse when her husband opened a factory there, not wanting to leave her home. So, Mr. Moyer moved the house atop the factory, and they lived there. As romantic as it sounds, it is as untrue as all other variations of the tale. The truth is, the building houses pulleys and an elevator housing and is nothing more than an architectural gimmick. The best viewing spot is from the corner of South Salina Street and Wolf Street. Look north on Salina and up to the right.
Penfield Manufacturing Co. Inc.
1710 N. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY, 13208
Possibly one of the creepiest cemeteries in the country, this 18th-century resting place is dotted with some of the most ornate and unique mausoleums ever built. Located near Syracuse University, the cemetery is built through a rolling forest with maples, pines, ash, and hickory trees. Some of the tombstones are true works of art and an homage to the great stone-cutters of a bygone era. Look for Longstreet pyramid and the elaborate Gussman family mausoleum. Driving through the cemetery is permitted, but walking through is like walking through a museum.
Oakwood Cemetery
940 Comstock Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
(516) 665-0638
shadesofoakwood.com
Syracuse's long history as a transportation hub saw a period of time where major train lines ran right through the streets of the city. In an effort to reduce the traffic nightmare, the city had several of the railroads raised to run above the ground on an elevated track. Passengers boarding the trains would have to go upstairs to meet their connections. In the 1950s the tracks were moved out of Syracuse, bypassing the area, and the elevated tracks near Erie Boulevard became an elevated highway (route 690). Interestingly enough, the train station and the elevated platform remain to this day along side the highway. In recent years the building served as a Greyhound bus depot, and the train platform was permanently empty and only visible from the highway. Then, in the late 1970s, an artist obtained permission, and numerous plaster sculptures of people waiting for a train that would never arrive began to materialize.
This strange roadside attraction can only be seen on route 690 West as you approach downtown Syracuse before the Townsend Street off-ramp.
Coleman's Tavern on Tipperary Hill sits closest to the famous green light (see above). This historic Irish tavern has two entrances. The larger is for human beings, and the smaller door is for leprechauns. On Saint Patrick's Day, they say the door opens and closes several times, but no one's ever actually seen who enters or leaves.
Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub
100 South Lowell Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13204-2629
(315) 476-1933
www.colemansirishpub.com