Long ago, the land we now call Oneonta was filled with forests, rivers, and Native American trails. The name “Oneonta” comes from the Iroquois word "Onëontáh," which means “place of open rocks”—a perfect name for a place surrounded by hills and natural beauty!
In the 1800s, people started building homes, schools, and shops here. Life was simple, and most folks traveled by horse and buggy. Then something big happened—the railroad came! Oneonta became a super busy stop for trains.
There were train yards, factories, and even a roundhouse where steam engines got cleaned and turned around. Families moved here for jobs, kids went to school, and downtown Main Street grew into a lively place.
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