FALLBROOK - A BRIEF HISTORY

If you go down Thompson Road about two miles away from the college, you'll come to a beautiful clearing in the woods with a big house, a lovely old barn and a babbling brook off to the side near the bottom of a big hill.  Depending on what time of year you go, you might catch some bird-watchers, hikers, kids sledding, an outside barbecue or even a grand wedding.  This beautiful retreat is a recreational facility serving the State University of New York at Oswego and has fondly come to be known as Fallbrook.

In recent years, a network of trails has been constructed throughout Fallbrook's 188 acres for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.  Two of these trails connect with the trail system at neighboring Rice Creek Biological Field Station. Trail maps are available in the lobby of the ski lodge.  The Fallbrook grounds officially close at dusk.

Fallbrook is a designated "Wildlife Safety Area"; hunting, camping, fishing, trapping, motorized vehicles and guns are not permitted.  However, hiking, photography, nature study, and simple relaxation are encouraged!

The City of Oswego originally purchased the land and the Charity Commission of the city erected the large brick City Almshouse, a house endowed for the poor to reside.  The meadows to the north and south were farmed for crops and the red out buildings served as support structures for the residents who worked daily on the farm.  A dam was built on Rice Creek and a four acre pond was created to power a mill.  At the time, Thompson Road had not been constructed and was just a buggy path for the 1.5 miles from what would later be known as State Route 104.  In 1895, the Almshouse was destroyed by fire.  It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1898 and would remain a poorhouse until 1957.  The president of SUNY Oswego from 1952-1963, Dr. Foster Brown, purchased the farm and renamed it Fallbrook.  The buildings were then all remodeled and from 1961-1968 Fallbrook Hall was a men's dormitory.  The residents were cooked two meals a day by a woman employed by the college.  A shuttle bus transported the men the two mile route to the main campus.  In 1968, the west campus dorms were built and Fallbrook Hall was closed.

No longer functioning as a dorm or a barn, Fallbrook became host to the SUNYCO Equestrian Program.  The large metal pole barn was an enclosed riding arena with one dozen stalls.  The aged remains of several horse jumps are still visible in the north meadow.  For several years there was a motorized tow rope on the hillside providing students with a convenient lift for skiing and sledding in the snowy Oswego winters.  However, use of the tow rope was suspended in 1979 and the horses departed in 1980 due to complex liability concerns.  The SUNYCO Equestrian Program now functions out of Mexico, N.Y., but Fallbrook hill is still descended by thousands of sledding enthusiasts who are hearty enough to make the climb on foot. The radio tower at the top of the hill broadcasts WRVO throughout central New York.  It is a campus based PBS station.

The ski lodge was renovated in the late 1960's to serve as a comfortable meeting space for campus and community groups and is able to accommodate up to 50 persons.  In 1983, the large red barn was converted to serve as a rustic reception facility that can host 250 people.  With the addition of the covered deck on the barn's south side in 1993, Fallbrook has become a popular site for summer weddings, alumni reunions and other large gatherings.  Reservation inquiries may be made by calling the Auxiliary Services office, located at 506 Culkin Hall, at 312-2262.

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FALLBROOK - FACILITIES INFORMATION

Auxiliary Services owns and operates the Fallbrook Recreation Center located on Thompson Rd., Oswego, approximately 1.6 miles south of the campus.

What do the facilities consist of?
The Fallbrook facilities consist of a Ski Lodge and Barn, approximately 188 acres of scenic grounds, and 5 trails, 2 of which interface with Rice Creek Field Station.

The Lodge is open year round and has an occupancy limit of 50 people due to fire code regulations.  The Lodge is heated, has a fireplace, electricity, running water, 13 round tables, 37 wood and 15 folding chairs, stove/oven, refrigerator, campus telephone (312-7902) and restroom facilities.

The Barn is open from April 16 - October 31 and has an occupancy limit of 250 people due to fire code regulations.  The Barn is not heated, has electricity, 14 - 8' long picnic tables (each seat 6 comfortably), covered deck (2,013 sq. ft.), campus telephone (312-7970), and restroom facilities.

Who may use the facilities?
Facilities are available by reservation to both campus and non-campus affiliated individuals and organizations with the approval of the General Manager.

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FALLBROOK - RESERVATION INFORMATION

How do I make a reservation?
Anyone requesting use of the Fallbrook facilities must first contact Auxiliary Services at 506 Culkin Hall (312-2262) to secure the date(s).  Reservations are taken up to one year in advance of the month of the event, on a first come-first serve basis only.  All groups must complete a Reservation of Facilities Request Form generated by the Auxiliary Services' Accounting Office and obtain the appropriate signatures.  The signed Reservation of Facilities Request form must be returned to Auxiliary Services prior to the date of the event.

What if I need to cancel a reservation?
Should a reservation need to be canceled, please contact Auxiliary Services at 312-2262, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, please contact the Fallbrook Manager at 342-2557.  In order to obtain a refund in the case where a fee is charged for the use of the facilities, notice of cancellation must be made within 45 days of the event.

What are the hours of operation?
The Ski Lodge is available by reservation from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight everyday, excluding holidays.  The Barn is open April 16 - October 31 and is available by reservation from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight, excluding holidays.  The Fallbrook grounds officially close at dusk.

What else is available?
Cross-country skis/boots/poles, a volleyball net and ball and an outdoor cooking grill (users are responsible for providing charcoal and starter fluid) are available by request.

Can food and alcohol be brought on the Fallbrook property?
In accordance with SUNY Oswego's campus policy on alcohol, alcohol is not permitted to be consumed/served at the Fallbrook Recreational Facilities unless an event is catered by Auxiliary Services Campus Catering.  If there is a need for catering or alcohol, the user will be referred to Campus Catering at 312-2992.  The availability of Fallbrook does not guarantee that Catering will be available, and the availability of Catering does not guarantee that Fallbrook will be available.  It is the user's responsibility to contact both offices to coordinate their event.  Arrangements must be made with Campus Catering approximately 3 weeks in advance in order to obtain an alcohol permit.  An outside caterer cannot be used to serve an event at Fallbrook.  If there are no catering or alcohol needs, users are welcome to bring their own food to their events.

Can I have a wedding reception at Fallbrook?
The Fallbrook Barn can be reserved for weddings and receptions.  There is a user's fee of $200 for use of the Barn.  Weddings/receptions generally can be booked at Fallbrook during the summer when classes are not in session.  All weddings/receptions at Fallbrook must be catered by Auxiliary Services Campus Catering.  Please call for further details.

In case of emergency, users are responsible for contacting University Police at 312-5555.

This number is posted in both the Lodge and Barn and phones are available.

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FALLBROOK - CONTACT INFORMATION

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Fallbrook is located at 103 Thompson Road, Oswego, NY.  From the Main Entrance to campus, stay on Route 104 heading west, away from the City of Oswego.  Take the first left past the main entrance, onto Thompson Road.  Fallbrook is approximately 1 1/2 miles south on Thompson Road, on your right.

Click here (pdf 144k) to view map to Fallbrook Recreation Center.

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FALLBROOK FEEDBACK FORM

Click here to send feedback and comments regarding the Fallbrook Recreational Facility.  You may email nlittle2@oswego.edu with any questions.

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