Obituary of 301 Onondaga Avenue

Circa 1890-2021

This westside home passed away on December 2, 2021 after being left neglected for nearly 20 years. Located near Onondaga Park, this house was originally constructed at the end of the 19th century. Around 1940, the house was purchased by Paul and Ruth Wicker. Paul and Ruth were born in Scranton, PA but moved to Syracuse in 1939 as Paul pursued a career in the railroad industry. From that time until the early 1990s, the house was the homestead for many of the Wicker family relatives - celebrating holidays, weekends, and sharing countless memories inside these walls. The Wicker family kindly shared the pictures you see above. The building has suffered from many years of prior disregard, having been vacant since at least 2000, resulting in severe deterioration. Attempts to find a new owner were unsuccessful with renovation costs nearing $300,000. Eventually, the house was deemed structurally compromised and unfit for renovation or reoccupation. Any remaining architectural pieces of value were removed.

In remembrance of this home, we encourage individuals (city residents) to have a free tree planted in your right-of-way by contacting the city arborist at SHarris@syrgov.net or visiting hocpa.org and supporting a tree planting initiative in Oakwood Cemetery. 

For more, visit http://instagram.com/syracusehistory