Walking tour explores Utica’s historic shoe district

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Walking tour explores Utica’s historic shoe district

UTICA — Many people do not realize that Utica once had a thriving shoe manufacturing industry, producing as many as 2,000 pairs daily. The factories were located within a few blocks of each other, near the train station.



The public is invited to find out more on Saturday, Aug. 5, on a walking tour of Utica’s historic shoe district with the Oneida County History Center. The tours start at 10:30 a.m. and noon from the history center table inside the REA wing at the Oneida County Public Market, 321 Main St.



Admission to this program is free for the general public; donations are encouraged.



The first shoe factory in Utica was opened in 1837 by John Cantwell. Large-scale factories flourished in the 1870s and 80s when Utica made 1,500 to 2,000 pairs of shoes daily. Nearly all the factories there made high-quality women’s and children’s shoes.



In their heyday, Utica shoes had a reputation for quality throughout the United States and were readily sold. The shoe factories expanded, multiplied, and employed more than 2,000 people in Utica by 1880.



Shortly after, however, troubles began with organized labor, whose demands were such that it became impossible to manufacture shoes at a profit in Utica. By 1893, many of these prosperous shoe factories had closed their doors or moved away from the city. The Hurd Shoe Company building still stands as the last vestige of the shoe industry in Utica.



For more information, call the history center at 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.


romesentinel.com/stories/walking-tour-explores-uticas-historic-shoe-district,190980?cb=1690898867

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes.....

[Clipper]

I had the pleasure of knowing David Hurd of the Hurd Shoe family. He used to charter buses for the Utica Curling Club to travel to tournaments. There was also the Allegro shoe factory in Little Falls and that lasted until the 70's I think. I knew a lot of folks from the Newport/Middleville area that worked there. they made women's shoes. There was also a shoe factory in Newport but I am not able to find any history of it or when it ceased operation.

Hurd shoes were high quality. I once had a pair of Hurd dress shoes that my parents purchased at Shaheen's Shoes on Columbia Square. Are they still in business? The last purchase I remember making at Shaheen's was a pair of Timberland insulate boots to wear hunting back in the late 70s.

[clarencebunsen]

Following that link to the link to the Oneida County History Org was interesting. I wonder if my grandkids would be interested in any of their programs.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

I was talking to a kid last week who is attending Utica University and from Saudi Arabia ( using the Bus as transportation he needed direction) and he asked me about where his father could locate history about the area so I gave him the historical society link which I carry on me just in case. I gave the information out to a man and his wife who moved to Utica from Syria. I seem to attract some interesting folks from out of town.....