Erie Canal Aqueduct in Downtown Rochester NY, (circa 1905)
Erie Canal Aqueduct in Downtown Rochester NY, Vintage Postcard (Rollover the image to zoom)
A tiny window onto Rochester’s storied past.
This vintage view of downtown Rochester NY is truly remarkable. Looking northwest
from South Avenue at the Erie Canal and Aqueduct crossing over the Genesee River,
this scene is recognizable, yet incredibly different than it is today.
15 years after this image was captured, the Aqueduct bridge would no longer carry
the water of the Erie Canal through Rochester. 25 years later subway cars would race
over its arches and beneath a new road deck known as Broad Street. And 30 years later
this view would be obstructed by the new Rundell Memorial Library, built in 1934.
Rollover the image to the left and see the stunning detail for yourself. Many of the
business names on the buildings in the background can be read... bookbinding, printing &
publishing, manufacturing, and law firms were a few of the many businesses that flourished
in Rochester.
The personal handwritten message reads:
“
Dear Hattie,
Just a line. Are you in Brockport yet? We will be away the 30th & 31st of Mar. Come and see us when you can.
M.C. Spinf-?”
This is an original, one-of-a-kind item — once it’s gone it’s
gone. And we’re in no rush to let it go. If you’re interested in owning this
piece of history please email us or you can order a reprint.
For a closer look at this postcard
rollover the image to the left.
This postcard gives a stunning impression of what it may have been
like to take a walk along the Erie Canal in downtown Rochester 100 years
ago. The walkway, railings, and buildings can all be seen in great detail.
Before email and text-messages, postcards were used for many forms of everyday communication.
The sender of this card wanted Hattie to know she’d be out of town March 30th & 31st.
We hope she had a nice trip.
1928 Rochester Subway Map
Map of the Rochester Subway, Railroads, and Streetcar Lines! This large, 24"x36" poster shows the Rochester Subway as it was in 1928 with stations, suburban rail lines, and connections.
1928 Rochester Subway Poster + DVD Combo
An exclusive offer from RochesterSubway.com and Animatus Studio! Purchase “The End of the Line - Rochester’s Subway” DVD and the 1928 Rochester Subway Poster together for just $45... That’s a 10% savings!
City Hall & Subway
This illustrated vintage postcard shows Rochester’s old City Hall and the Broad Street Subway entrance. Postmarked 1942.
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. We believe Rochester’s
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.
