Syracuse, New York was named after the Greek city located on the Italian island Sicily because of the abundant salt here, hence the nickname “Salt City.” Once established, the Erie Canal followed closely behind being built only five years later expanding the city’s reputation. All of the manufacturing and engineering businesses along the canal improved so much that Syracuse got its second nickname, “The Heart of New York” in 1845. Today it is still one of the top five cities to live in the United States.
