In 1944 President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his plan to create a free port at Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York. Under this plan 982 refugees from eighteen different countries were transported from Italy to an emergency shelter at Fort Ontario. These buildings still exist today, and now contain among other things, a holocaust museum.
Grandpa H., photograph by Jonathan.
The irony of this photograph is so very striking. These four gentlemen, dressed in period garb and perched atop the outer wall of the fort happened to be sitting directly above an advertisement for a local television station. You can also see some sort of radio antenna on the far left. I think the little girl (who is not in period garb) actually looks much more appropriate.
The breakwall at sunset
The lighthouse and breakwall at sunset.
another view of the sunset from the fort.
Close-up view of the lighthouse.
As we were walking to the Fort to find a perch overlooking the Harbor to view the fireworks, we happened to see this odd looking vehicle. I have no clue what it is.
View from Fort Ontario, overlooking the Oswego Port Authority.
the family :^)
another view of the harbor, lighthouse and breakwall at sunset. This was a spectacular evening for color, and an amazing sunset.
Every year, the Grucci brothers put on a fireworks display. One of the most unique things I've seen is the smiley face bursts. They also did the letters USA and a few sombreros as well.
They have a barge in the harbor they set off the fireworks from, as well as all along the breakwall.
A rather spectacular display of color.
Water Street, after the fireworks. Every year the city closes it off completely to vehicle traffic, and it is wall to wall people. The building in the background is Old City Hall, which now houses one of the several bars in town as well as a few other shops.
