The escalator in the rear of Woolworth’s five and dime in downtown Utica.

Employees at Savage Arms in Utica receiving the prestigious Army & Navy “E” flag during World War II.

Dancing in the streets of downtown Utica on V-J (Victory over Japan) Day that officially marked the end of World War II.

The popular White Tower restaurants in downtown Utica and in the city’s Uptown section.

Photos of the above are part of the 32-page pictorial book just published and released by the Oneida County Historical Society.

 “Utica Remember When” – written by society volunteers Carl Saporito and Frank Tomaino – contains 66 photos of Utica in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Its cost is $9.99 plus tax and all proceeds will go to the Oneida County Historical Society.

The book is available at the historical society’s bookstore at 1608 Genesee Street. If you live out-of-town, use our order form.

The release of the book gives society members and non-members an opportunity to achieve three goals with one ten-dollar bill.

• They can add a history book to their private library.
• They can set aside the book and give it as a gift this upcoming holiday season to friends and relatives who might enjoy a trip down memory lane.
• And most important, by buying the book they are supporting the historical society with its operating expenses and in fulfilling its mission  - since 1876 – of collecting and preserving the history of Oneida County and Central New York.

Some of the topics covered in the book are: “Utica Goes to War” … “A City Treasure Gone Forever” (Utica’s old City Hall) …”Woolworth’s and Its Neighbors” … “Uticans Go to the Movies” … “Welcome to North Utica” … “Houses of Hot Dogs ‘n’ Hams” … and more.

The book is only the first in a series of pictorials that Saporito and Tomaino hope to put out to benefit the historical society. Others will feature other sections of Oneida County – its picturesque towns and villages –and more.