the first newspaper was the "oswego register". it was created in 1868 by e.r. trask. the first church was the congregational, which was created in may 1868. the presbyterian church was created in july 1868. the first school was created in 1867. the public library association was created in 1877. it still exists as oswego public library, which is a carnegie library. the telephone system was put in operation in 1882; the waterworks in 1887; and the first electric lights were turned on on july 12, 1888. the lights were turned off a few months later.