Welcome... to Geddes New York!

The Town of Geddes was established in the year 1832. It has an estimated population of 18,000 people, and an approximate size of 12.7 miles. It is located on the west side of Onondaga Lake. The main route of travel is State Route 690. Within the Town is the World famous New York State Fairgrounds. It is divided into three communities, Lakeland, Solvay and Westvale. In 1793, a school teacher from Pennsylvania named James Geddes came to this location, and a year later, started his salt works industry. After 1820, when the Erie Canal connected Buffalo, Geddes and Rome, industries grew and so did the local population. In 1881, the now famous Solvay Process was built, and wasresponsible for much of the areas growth. In the late 1800’s, Geddes was mainly a farming community, supported by close to 60 farms. Residents enjoyed Onondaga Lake for its many resorts, and received boat transportation from the Geddes Pier, to and from these resorts. The Government of New York selected Geddes as the permanent site of the New York State Fair held every August.

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