Onondaga Creek
The settlement that became Syracuse arose in a forested swampy area at the creek outlet in the early 1800s as a result of the state of NY constructing the Erie Canal and developing salt production on the shores of Onondaga Lake. From this time forward, the natural meandering flood plain of the creek was periodically channelized and straightened to facilitate uncontrolled development of the creek-side and flood plain upstream towards the Onondaga Nation Reservation. A "progress"-based economic cycle involved land developers purchasing farmland and building in the adjacent rural towns, followed by flooding, sewage, water supply, and school crises. The city of Syracuse would then respond to petitions by the new homeowners and businesses to formally ask the state legislature to annex these lands. By the turn of the twentieth century, this cycle accelerated due to the city acquiring water rights to Skaneatles lake, and the development of street car lines.
Syracuse Transit Corporation
The former Syracuse Lines of New York State Railways were reorganized on November 22, 1939, as the Syracuse Transit Corporation (STC). This privately owned transit company inherited 27 transit routes serving the city and suburbs of Syracuse, seven of which were streetcar lines. By 1941, all lines had been converted to bus operation. All STC transit franchises were purchased by the public Central New York Regional Transportation Authority in 1972, continuing their operation as CNY Centro.