Otisca Building / Old Thomas Ryan Brewery
Another look at the Otisco Building. This rambling complex (a block long) is comprised of two and three story red brick industrial buildings and dates from the Ryan Brewery expansion in the 1880s. It was once more ornate with Beaux Arts decoration and a prominent towered upper story on the corner. Some of the Beaux Arts medallions are still affixed to the brick facade. The brewery made a beer called Onondaga Lager among others. It is said when they were cooking hops you could smell it on the North Side. Ryan's Brewery was one of about ten that flourished in Syracuse mostly on the north side during the city's heyday in the late 1800s. Ryan's went under in 1924. This building was also home to the Jay Gere Corp. That company sold plumbing and heating supplies. Otisca Industries, a company that made fuel from coal slurry, purchased the building in 1979. They went out of business a decade later. The building has been vacant since 1989. It has become extremely rundown with bricks and shattered glass falling from the building and landing on sidewalks and in the yards of nearby neighbors. Located at the corner of North McBide and Butternut Streets in Syracuse, NY. (26) UPDATE: The City of Syracuse has demolished the entire complex. They will be construction apartments on the site.
Otisca Building / Old Thomas Ryan Brewery
Another look at the Otisco Building. This rambling complex (a block long) is comprised of two and three story red brick industrial buildings and dates from the Ryan Brewery expansion in the 1880s. It was once more ornate with Beaux Arts decoration and a prominent towered upper story on the corner. Some of the Beaux Arts medallions are still affixed to the brick facade. The brewery made a beer called Onondaga Lager among others. It is said when they were cooking hops you could smell it on the North Side. Ryan's Brewery was one of about ten that flourished in Syracuse mostly on the north side during the city's heyday in the late 1800s. Ryan's went under in 1924. This building was also home to the Jay Gere Corp. That company sold plumbing and heating supplies. Otisca Industries, a company that made fuel from coal slurry, purchased the building in 1979. They went out of business a decade later. The building has been vacant since 1989. It has become extremely rundown with bricks and shattered glass falling from the building and landing on sidewalks and in the yards of nearby neighbors. Located at the corner of North McBide and Butternut Streets in Syracuse, NY. (26) UPDATE: The City of Syracuse has demolished the entire complex. They will be construction apartments on the site.