Onondaga
Hotel
Text Source: Syracuse and Its Environs, by Franklin H. Chase, Lewis Historical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL, 1924, pg. 322
The Onondaga was formally opened August 20, 1910. Then was seen what a concerted movement of business men could accomplish in supplying a city's need - a need for better and more efficient hotel accommodation. The Onondaga was incorporated in 1908, and by January 17, 1909, the Dawson Brothers were found making borings to see the necessities for foundations. Notwithstanding an estimated first cost of $800,000, the Syracusans moved rapidly in the sale of stock and bonds. The hotel was built upon the site of the old MacDougall homestead and the MacDougall apartments in Jefferson Street. So successful was the hotel proposition, and so quickly did it become a social center, it was expanded by the building of the annex on South Warren Street in 1914-15. The addition, which then made it the largest hotel in the State outside of New York City was opened August 16, 1915. Quarters for the Automobile Club were provided in this annex. May 18, 1920, the magnificent cafe, also in the annex, was opened as a cafeteria. The Onondaga is under the direction of the United Hotels of America, the managers being Proctor C. Welch and Joseph E. Grogan.
Photo and Text Source: Syracuse Convention City, Printed by Hyde-Baumler, Inc., Syracuse, NY
The Onondaga Hotel located in the business, theatrical and social center of downtown Syracuse, convenient to both the New York Central and D., L. & W. railroad stations, is one of the famous chain of hotels, the United Hotels Corporation of America. Its 500 rooms are modern are fire-proof and have every convenience for the most exacting guest.
Utility of space nowhere in the hotel comes before beauty of arrangement or fitting. Spaciousness and convenience are first considerations, not only in the guests rooms and suites but also in accessory departments of the hotel. Lobby, banquet halls, restaurants, library, lounges, ball room and social floor are commodious.
The principal convention facilities are the Ball Room, 42 feet x 99 feet, which has a banquet seating capacity of 450 and a meeting capacity of 650, also suitable for light exhibits. Connecting with this, by folding doors, is the Louis XV Room which adds considerably to the seating capacity of the Ball Room. On the same floor is the Hiawatha Room with a seating capacity of 200 and several smaller private dining rooms and parlors. The Roof Garden of the hotel, seating 225, is also an excellent meeting room.
The Onondaga has for many years acted as host to conventions in a most satisfactory manner and the management is always ready and anxious to co-operate with convention organizations.
Submitted 3 April 2006 by Pamela Priest