"Westvale" as an identity probably evolved in the early 20th century; it refers to the area west of Wescott Reservoir, accessed by, but mostly south of, West Genesee Street (since the Village of Solvay was to the north). Farther west was Fairmount, which developed earlier than most of Westvale, where the land was held off the market. The "Avery Tract" lay between the reservoir and the City of Syracuse. The Avery Tract became part of the Village of Solvay. The core of Westvale was farmland retained by a major landowning family of New York State, the Schuylers. he branch holding title to much of the property was the Parsons, recalled by Parsons Drive, a centerpiece residential boulevard with a grassy median, off West Genesee Street.