Jewell, New York facts for kids

Jewell is a small community called a hamlet in Oneida County, New York. It's located in the Town of Vienna, right on the northeast side of Oneida Lake. You can find it close to the border of Oswego County. Jewell is on State Route 49, about a 30-minute drive from Syracuse to the west and Utica to the east.

The Story of Jewell

How Jewell Got Its Name

The first person believed to settle here was Eliphalet Jewell. He owned land in this area around 1814. Silas Jewell might have arrived at a similar time. Silas later moved away for about five years, then came back to Jewell around 1822. For a long time, this community was known as "West Vienna." But in 1921, its name was officially changed to "Jewell." This change honored the Jewell family, who were early settlers.

A Lively Past

Jewell used to be a very important town. It was on a main road that followed the shoreline of Oneida Lake. In the past, Jewell was a busy place. It had a store, a hotel, and even mills. Industries like boat-building and lumber were also important here. A small community Church still stands in the center of Jewell today. It reminds us of a time when people lived differently. There were watermills, farms, and places where maple sap was collected. Jewell was also home to the Idel Wild Land, which was famous in the 1820s. Later, in the late 1900s, a beautiful French-style log mansion was built here. It was made like an old French fort, showing how this lakeside community was coming back to life.

From Railroad to Trail

The New York, Ontario & Western railroad once served towns along the north side of Oneida Lake. Jewell was one of these towns. However, the railroad tracks were removed in 1957. Now, this old railroad path is a fun recreational trail. People use it for riding horses and snowmobiles. To the west, in Oswego County, it's called the Oswego Recreational Trail. But in Jewell's Oneida County, it doesn't have a special name.

Local Legends

Jewell is also known for some interesting local stories. These include legends about an Oneida Lake Creature and a great Indian Treasure.