Many places in Oswego County have had two or more names in the past. Usually the original names of the towns were derived from local settlers, land patent owners, or explorers. As time went on and the original families or settlers left or sold out the towns were often renamed. Other locations were renamed when it was found a similar name was being used elsewhere in the state. The establishment of a local post office changed many town names. Occasionally a town’s name was altered when the person after whom the town was named, committed an indiscretion that embarrassed the local community.

When the railroads started delivering mail several town names were altered for more accurate delivery. Years ago I wrote the Oswego County Genealogy Society Newsletter and worked with fellow Minetto Historian Charles Sweeting on town names.

Some of the name changes follow: Altmar-Sand Bank; Caughdenoy-Northport; Central Square-Loomis Corners; Colosse-Mexico Four Corners; Daysville-Sand Hill; Fernwood-South Richland/Holmesville; Fruit Valley-Union Village; Granby Center-Williams Corners; Hinmansville-Six Mile Creek/Horseshoe Rifts; Lacona-East Sand Bank-Sandy Creek Station; North Boylston-Spruce; Orwell-Moscow; Oswego Center-Fitches Corners; Pekin-Molino; Pineville-Salmon River.

Town of Sandy Creek - Villages of Sandy Creek and Lacona - Doctors* Optometrists* Dentists has been published and is available through the Town Clerk’s office or Historians Office.