PULASKI — The global group of manufacturing entities now known as The Fulton Companies had its beginning more than 60 years ago as Fulton Boiler Works, Inc. in a garage in Minetto. Louis J. Palm invented and manufactured the first vertical tubeless boiler in the garage of his home, and founded the company and the manufacturing facility to produce it in 1949.

GEDDES — Geddes Federal Savings and Loan Association had its start in an office in Pozzi’s Hotel — pretty trendy for 1949.

Frank Pozzi, the owner of the hotel/restaurant, was actually one of the original directors of the savings bank.

SYRACUSE — What does an accomplished violinist who plays with an orchestra do when he decides on a permanent vocation? He goes to work for a roofing company, and likes it so much that he starts his own roofing business. His grandson and namesake, William C. Van Derhoof (known as “Chip”), vice president of Van Derhoof Roofing Co., Inc. says, “He was really a phenomenal violinist.” He also was a good roofer since the company that bears his name celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2009.

OSWEGO - It's highly unlikely that James Fenimore Cooper gave much thought to a financial institution when writing "The Pathfinder" as part of the Leatherstocking Series.

But Fenimore Cooper's description of the journey from Fulton - or what was then called Oswego Falls - to Fort Ontario in Oswego was the influence for Oswego City Savings Bank's new name a decade ago, says Pathfinder Bank President and CEO Thomas W. Schneider.

SYRACUSE - John Dwyer, president of Syracuse Glass Company, may not know precisely how his company started, but he knows where it's going.

Syracuse Glass celebrated its 100th anniversary on Nov. 6 at a gala event held in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Syracuse. The company's official founding date was 1909, although it's unknown who originally started the business.