1629 North Salina
We are frequently asked "What did this building used to be?"
And while it has been home to The Exchange since 1991, the 5-story brick structure at 1629 North Salina has been many things over the course of its long lifetime.
It was the first building in Syracuse to have an elevator (still operational and used by us daily!)
It was constructed in 1889 by Emerson Joel Eddy, a prominent Syracuse citizen. Mr. Eddy was a Mason, and one of the originators of the North Side Business Men's Association. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.
E.J. Eddy's hardware store fabricated stoves and tinware, and carried crockery and many other useful items. The building also served as a storage warehouse. Emerson lived nearby on Park Street and walked to work daily. Eventually his son, George Washington Eddy, took over the family business and the name became Geo W Eddy Co.
In the 50s the building housed a department store, Whitehouse Supply Company - carrying appliances, water heaters, RCA Victor radios and record players, and many other items.
Photo of the building circa late 1990s, note the Whitehouse signage still partially visible on the side.