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The Gilded Age on Syracuse’s James Street

 

“Without doubt, this is the most significant work of Syracuse history written in a generation. It will remain a written monument to lost architectural monuments, and those who built them.”—Samuel D. Gruber, President, Arts and Crafts Society of Central New York

 

Cover of The Gilded Age on Syracuse's James Street by Dennis Connors

Step through time into the manors of Gilded Age Syracuse

From the 1890s to 1930s, stately mansions lined Syracuse’s James Street, their elegant gardens, architecture, and streetscapes a point of city-wide pride. The Gilded Age on Syracuse’s James Street combines newly published photographs with histories of the mansions and people that once occupied Syracuse’s most fashionable street. More than just beautiful facades, the mansions and people who inhabited them represented the cultural life, political leadership, industrial growth, and social reform that animated Syracuse and the nation during this period of opulence. Tracing the origins and reveling in the splendor of these famous homes, The Gilded Age on Syracuse’s James Street offers a rare glimpse back in time to a lost era in Syracuse and American history.

Available April 15, 2025

 

From The Gilded Age on Syracuse’s James Street

The James Street of old will never return. Its evolution over the years is part of Syracuse’s history; the changes result from several factors and forces. Central New Yorkers today can enjoy exploring that past and its stories, but also should be emboldened to consider what value lies in the many historic buildings and landscapes which still exist. Once gone, they can never be brought back. As someone once lamented, “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.”

In the case of how this community reflects on the James Street of old, it might just be a fitting epitaph. In 1962, a member of Syracuse’s old guard once described the James Street of years past, thusly: “It was a sight for the gods.”

 

“Connors’ work is a significant contribution to the literature on urban and architectural history, offering insights that extend beyond Syracuse. His eye for detail and deep understanding of historical forces make The Gilded Age on Syracuse’s James Street both a compelling read and a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolution of American cities.”—Anne Mosher, author of Capital’s Utopia: Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, 1855-1916