In the early year 1828, with a population of under 2,500, the village produced its Partnenon, a structure which was probably never surpassed in its close simulation to the eight-columned Temple of Athena. Perfectly and precisely Greek are the four steps, the Doric columns and in fact, the entire facade. Typically Greek Revival are the windows, the chimneys and the fretted iron work.

Built of Onondaga gray limestone by the state, this temple housed the Salt Superintendent, the Salt Inspector, and the latters deputies appointed to insure against impure salt and to collect the state taxes of four cents a bushel. Here too, was the Oswego Canal Collector's Office.

As a business structure this is unique, for the majority of commercial houses in Syracuse were little bothered with the columns choosing to retain the plain inner structure as the outer form. We are therefore fortunate that the god Salt demanded a temple on North Salina Street.

Figure 1 from E. Q. Williams collection