Downtown Oswego: the Evolution of a Small Town Business District

At 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Oswego’s Little White School Museum, museum director Roger Matile will recount the changes the village has undergone during the past 177 years with “Downtown Oswego: The Evolution of a Small Town Business District.”

Matile will use the wealth of historical photographs from the museum’s collections along with maps, and other historic documents to relate the evolution of the community’s historic downtown business district.

From the arrival of the community's first settlers in 1833 to its platting in 1835, Oswego served as the mercantile center for a large surrounding agricultural area. During its long history, the downtown business district has survived many challenges and changes, from the removal of the county seat to Yorkville in 1864 and the devastating fire of 1867 that destroyed the business district’s entire east side, to the lean years of the Great Depression, through growth and change as the community evolved during the fast-growth years at the end of the 20th Century. Today, the downtown remains a vital part of Oswego's character and a touchstone to its rich past.

Preregistration is not required, but it helps the museum plan ahead; walk-ins always welcome the evening of the program. When preregistering, ask for program 28847.