Welcome to Bagg’s Square

History. Culture. Rebirth.

History has been brewing in Utica

Utica has a long history with brewing. Since 1801, Utica has seen 44 different breweries. Of these 44 breweries, two have lasted over 100 years. Oneida Brewing Company operated from 1932 to 1942. F.X. Matt Brewing was incorporated in 1888 and still exists today. New York’s canal system and hop production is what allowed breweries to flourish early on. During the mid 1800’s Central New York was the hop capital of America, in 1855 New York State was producing 3 million pounds yearly of hops.

Doyle Hardware Building

Bagg’s Square Brewing Company is located in the Doyle Hardware building, inside the Bagg’s Square district of Utica NY. The Doyle Hardware Building is a historic factory building located at 330 Main Street. It was the work of Utica architect Frederick H. Gouge. The Doyle Hardware building was constructed in three sections between 1881 and 1901. Built originally as a clothing factory, in 1934 it became a factory for the manufacture of spark plugs, in 1947 it became home to Utica Distributing Company, and then later Doyle Hardware. Besides for being home to BSBC, the Doyle Hardware building also houses a few other commercial spaces as well as loft style apartments.

Bagg’s Tavern

An interesting feature of Bagg’s Square, and the basis for its name, is the Bagg’s Tavern. Bagg’s Tavern was founded by Moses Bagg in 1794. The tavern would host a number of historical figures including General George Washington, General Lafayette, Henry Clay, and General Ulysses S. Grant. Bagg’s Tavern would eventually become Bagg’s Hotel and then Northern Hotel until its demise in 1870 due to a fire.