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Westcott Tract
Syracuse grew from a small trading town in the early 1800s. Back then, Westcott Neighborhood was farmland known as Westcott Tract, the Bastable Farm and Stanton Farm, which were served by trading roads, such as South Beech, a former Indian trail.
(Samuel Gruber, Program of the Third Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tour, "A Short History of the Westcott Neighborhood, 2002) -
Herman H. Stanton Buys A Large Area in Westcott East
Herman H. Stanton bought a large area in Westcott East Neighborhood from the State of New York. Stanton leased part of his farm - today's Harvard Place, Allen Street, Clarke Street and Westcott Street - to the Syracuse Driving Park Association. A half-mile track with stables was created.
(Samuel Gruber, Program of the Third Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tour, "A Short History of the Westcott Neighborhood, 2002) -
The Beginning of the University Neighborhood
Syracuse University Hall of Languages was the first University building constructed on 50 acres of farmland east of the University. It spurred the development of the University Neighborhood as a residential area that attracted middle-class professionals who built new homes on the formerly farmland lots.
(Samuel Gruber, Program of the Third Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tour, "A Short History of the Westcott Neighborhood, 2002) -
Number of Two-Family Houses Increases
Beginning about 1910, two-family houses were built in the neighorhood.
(Samuel Gruber, Program of the Third Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tour, "A Short History of the Westcott Neighborhood, 2002) -
University Neighborhood Housing Development
The portion of the University Neighborhood closest to Syracuse University was under intensive development.
(Samuel Gruber, Program of the Third Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tour, "A Short History of the Westcott Neighborhood, 2002) -
G.I. Bill
Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944—commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights provided veterans of the Second World War education and training, loan guaranty for homes, farms or businesses, and unemployment pay. From 1944 to 1952, VA backed nearly 2.4 million home loans for World War II veterans. (United States Department of Veterans Affairs) -
Westcott Neighborhood 68% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1950s, Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 68 percent owner-occupied households and 32 percent rentals.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009) -
Westcott Neighborhood 66% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1960s, Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 66 percent owner-occupied households and 34 percent rentals properties.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009) -
Baby Boom Generation
Veterans of the Second World War countrywide were able to find high-paying jobs due to the education provided by the G.I. Bill. Consequently, they had increased incomes and were able to raise larger families. Their babies were born mostly during the 1950s and 1960s. -
Syracuse University's enrollment increases
During the 1970s and 1980s, Syracuse University saw a large increase in its student enrollment. It was a similar social trend that offered education to young people as the study grant incentives offered to young men who returned from the battle fields of the Second World War.
(Harry Lewis, SEUNA treasurer who has lived in the Westcott neighborhood for the past 50 years) -
Westcott Neighborhood 52% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1970s. Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 52 percent owner-occupied households and 48 perecent rental properties.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009) -
Beginning of Syracuse University Expansion
Beginning with the 1970s and ending during the mid-1980s, Syracuse University's enrollment expanded, as well as the enrollment numbers of many other universities across the United States due to the growing baby boom generation.
(Historical Record of the Syracuse University Steam Station Office http://SteamStation.syr.edu/) -
Westcott Neighborhood 49% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1970s, Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 49 percent owner-occupied households and 51 percent rental properties.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009) -
End of Syracuse University Growth
(Historical Record of the Syracuse University Steam Station Office http://SteamStation.syr.edu/) -
Westcott Neighborhood 45% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1970s, Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 45 percent owner-occupied households and 55 percent rental properties.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009) -
University Neighborhood Service Agreement (UNSAAC)
Syracuse University and the City entered an agreement requiring the University to pay a fee of $250,000 annually to fund services addressing students' impact on neighborhoods southeast of the University. Increasing each year with the Consumer Price Index, the fee for 2007 is $352,581, bringing the University's total contribution to well over $3 million. By 2013, SU will have contributed over $6.5 million to these neighborhood districts. (Syracuse University Government and Community Relations) -
Westcott Neighborhood 41% owner-occupied residencies
During the 1970s. Syracuse Census Tract 45 (roughly the area covering Westcott neighborhood) had 41 percent owner-occupied households and 59 rental properties.
(Neighborhood Trends, SEUNA 2009)
