The Iroquois Confederacy was headquartered at the present day site of Syracuse. The Confederacy, a powerful union of 5 Indian nations, dominated the northeastern area of North America for two centuries, beginning in the 1500s. Salt springs at the edge of Onondagas Lake were a source of trade for the Indians and later the French.
When Syracuse was founded in 1805, its business was still salt. The growth of manufacturing in the area coincided with Syracuse's location on the Erie Canal. Rob Sterling (The Twilight Zone) was born here.