Rochester’s Main Street Bridge, 1904. (Rollover the image to zoom)
RochesterSubway.com offers reprints of this image
through Zazzle.com print service. Choose your print size, paper/media type,
and add extra oomph to your prints with custom-fitted frames and matting that
will turn any wall into your own personal gallery.
Old Photo of Rochester’s Main Street Bridge
One of America’s most historic bridges—Rochester’s Main Street Bridge—can now be yours. This photo, from the Library of Congress image collection, was taken in 1904 by the Detroit Publishing Co.
The present Main Street Bridge is the fourth bridge to occupy this site since 1812. Main Street is and has been throughout its history the primary commercial and business thoroughfare for the City of Rochester, thus this bridge has provided a crucial link in communication and transportation between both sides of the Genesee River.
Beginning with the second river crossing of 1824, a phenomenon occurred which was rare in the United States: buildings were gradually built over the river and connected to the bridge. This relationship between bridge and buildings continued with subsequent crossings. The buildings erected alongside the current Main Street bridge were demolished in the mid-1960’s. This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Like most postcards from this era, the illustration captures beautiful
detail from a distant time. The subway operated at peek capacity during
World War II. But within a decade it would quickly be undone by the
growing popularity of the automobile.
Add extra oomph to your prints with custom-fitted frames and matting that
will turn any wall into your own personal gallery.
Subway & Broad Street Bridge
This illustrated vintage postcard shows Rochester’s new Subway and Broad Street bridge. Postmarked 1938.
Typical Rochester Rail Equipment
This illustrated vintage postcard shows three of Rochester's trolley cars outside the E. Main St. Station. Postmarked 1941.
RTC Token (1948-1965)
Good for one city fare on all bus and trolley lines (including the Rochester Subway). Issued 1948. 16mm. White Metal, Copper-plated.
After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the “subway”) was built in
its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley
lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester
changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually
became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of
its route was converted into Interstate 490 — built to connect Rochester
with the New York State Thruway (I-90). Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.
RochesterSubway.com exists to help spark
public dialogue around how we can better connect the neighborhoods of Rochester
NY, surrounding communities, and their cultural offerings. Rochester’s
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.
