It might be a small community on the map, but Mattydale has a large buzz. Though fewer businesses exist presently, Mattydale continues to be known for its commerce and neighbors on and off Route 11.

"It's certainly a heavily traveled main road and there have been a lot of families that have made their homes and families here throughout the years," said Mark Nicotra, Salina Town supervisor.

The hamlet, consisting of just two square miles of land, was mainly farmland in the early 1900s — around the time wealthy cooper Francis Victor Matty would purchase and move to 90 acres of the land from Syracuse.

"It became Frank Matty's farm. Matty also had a racetrack, raised horses, grew corn, pumpkins, you name it," said Raymond Leonard, Mattydale historian.

Matty would make a home on Route 11 where the Family Dollar store is currently. He would sell plots of his land that would be developed into homes and businesses along with a popular theater. 

Over time, Matty — who had a strong interest in education — would help start an elementary school before his passing in 1939. Another highlight Mattydale is known for is being the one time home of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L-Frank Baum. 

Although Baum was born in Chittenango, he and his family would reside for a number of years where Roxboro Road Middle School sits now. 

"Some of the Wizard of Oz historians can pinpoint items in the book that can be placed back to his time right here so, it's probably a fact people don't necessarily know about Mattydale but I think is certainly an important part of the history," Nicotra said.

Aside from history, many people have always known Mattydale to be a popular place to shop. Presently, many popular stores still exist like those in the Northern Lights Plaza. Still, things are not quite like they used to be. 

"Northern Lights Plaza was WT Grants, you had Chappels Department Store, you had Franklin Furniture, Wilson's Jewelers. We had Acme Grocery Store in there, we had A and P Grocery Store in there, we had a lot of things going over there," Leonard said.

"It's kind of fallen off a bit but those were some of the places that were attractive to not only businesses but for the residents and people who were coming through to do some shopping and what not," Nicotra said.

But if it is still shopping or perhaps something else that brings you to Mattydale again, it's likely you'll be welcomed with open arms.