LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the
Village of Jordan, New York, to be celebrated on May 17, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the purpose of this Legislative Body to now
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Village of Jordan, in Onondaga
County, New York, to be celebrated on Monday, May 17, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Jordan is located in the central part of New
York State along the western edge of Onondaga County; the village lies
north of the main east-west road (Route 5) and is somewhat isolated due
to a series of steep hills which separates them; from these hills, the
village spreads north along the beautiful plains of the Seneca River;
the Skaneateles Creek runs north and south through the village and was a
source of water power for some of Jordan's early industries; and
WHEREAS, In 1797, Zercas and Owen Wright built the first house within
the present boundaries of the village of Jordan; by 1800 a mill had been
erected on the bank of the Skaneateles Creek which runs north through
the village; in 1805 the Seneca Turnpike (Route 5) and the Cherry Valley
Turnpike (Route 20), two major east-west highways, were constructed
south of the village; despite this, Jordan became a major transportation
center after one of the earliest sections of the new Erie Canal was
constructed through the village in 1819; and
WHEREAS, The Jordan Feeder, which fed the canal via Skaneateles Creek,
had its source in Skaneateles Lake, located about twelve miles south-
southwest of the village; several dams were erected along the creek to
regulate flow into the canal and to provide water power for Jordan's
expanding mill industry; and
WHEREAS, The Jordan Feeder provided a tremendous impetus to the
village's early nineteenth century growth; by 1825 there were three
mills; a post office opened in 1831 and the first local newspaper, the
JORDAN COURIER, was published; commerce and industry expanded and flour-
ished during the next decade, and by 1836, the year after the village
was incorporated, Jordan had three grist mills, three saw mills, a sash
factory, a distillery and a clothing shop as well as five taverns, seven
general stores, two drug stores and five grocery stores; and
WHEREAS, Several distinct architectural examples dating from this era
remain substantially intact and are included in the Jordan Village
Historic District; the White mill is the sole surviving mill from this
early development; the former grist mill is still used as a grain and
feed store and retains its simple Greek Revival detailing and some
original equipment; the mill's setting is also remarkably intact with
the millrace and millpond located to the southeast; and
WHEREAS, Other examples of early commercial structures include two
hotels which were built to accommodate canal travelers; the Jordan Hotel
was only two stories high when first constructed in 1820; located close
to the canal, the hotel enjoyed excellent business and added a third
floor and a rear wing when the canal was enlarged; the Old Tavern (16
North Main Street) served as an inn, meeting place and social center for
stage and canal travelers as well as for local residents; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Jordan experienced a second period of economic
expansion between 1870-1890 due to improvements made on the feeder canal
and the advent of rail transportation; the originally small and narrow
Jordan Feeder (section at Jordan) was widened and deepened in 1860;
between 1865 and 1885 the old canal was eliminated altogether, the canal

bed was straightened, a new double lock was constructed west of the
village and a larger aqueduct over Skaneateles Creek was built; and
WHEREAS, The extant masonry foundations of the wooden aqueduct in the
east end of the canal park date from this period; by 1855 the New York
Central and Hudson River Railroad had been extended to Jordan with the
tracks running north of the Jordan Village Historic District
and.parallel to the Erie Canal; in 1885 a second line, the West Shore
Railroad, arrived, continuing to aid in Jordan's prosperity; and
WHEREAS, The majority of North Main Street was developed during this
period and the street is a cohesive collection of late nineteenth centu-
ry building styles; the Italianate houses on Lawrence Street, built as
speculative housing, represent the prosperity of this period in Jordan's
development; and
WHEREAS, Jordan's economy suffered in the late nineteenth century when
the importance of the Erie Canal as a major transportation mode and rail
transportation declined; however, the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern
Electric Train Co. had a line to Jordan providing easy access to Syra-
cuse for commuters; the trolley station has now been adapted to a garage
but serves as a reminder of the line which was popular until the 1930s;
and
WHEREAS, The creation of Canal Park also occurred in the 1930s; the
canal had been drained in 1917, and as part of a W.P.A. community devel-
opment project the canal bed was converted into a landscaped park; the
limestone walls and aqueduct were carefully incorporated in the design
and the entire park serves as a reminder of the catalyst of Jordan's
development and transportation history in the state; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Village of Jordan remains a small village where
the air is clean, the surroundings are scenic and the neighbors are
friendly; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Village of Jordan continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the Village of Jordan's rich history and
enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited town upon the occasion of its
175th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Village of Jordan, New York, to
be celebrated on May 17, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Village of Jordan.