![Rochester Subway, Broad Street tunnel construction. c.1925. [IMAGE: Rochester Municipal Archives]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-broad-street-construction-01.jpg)
Today’s Fun Foto Friday is this 1920′s view of the Erie Canal aqueduct looking east. You’re looking at the covering over the old canal which would soon become Broad Street and the Rochester Subway beneath. In the background (center) is the Osburn House hotel. Eventually Broad Street would be extended eastward, right through that hotel. The stairwell to the City Hall subway station can be seen at the street corner. And next to the stairs, notice the construction site…
1920′s Photo of Rochester Subway Construction
December 6th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester Subway, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
Tags: Broad Street, Exchange Boulevard, Exchange Street, Genesee Valley Trust, history of Rochester, James Field Company, Osburn House, Rochester history, Rochester Subway, Times Square Building
Filling In: 446 Genesee St.
December 5th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
![Matthew Denker looks at the feasibility of filling in this empty lot on Genesee Street. [IMAGE: Google Maps]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-446-genesee-street-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
Submit your story today.
Welcome back, readers. It’s been a while. Today I’d like to look at a project that we could bring into the pipeline almost immediately. I say could, because there are almost assuredly zoning issues with what I’m proposing. That said, we could still get rolling on it immediately, because the site happens to already be on the market for $10,000! Let’s see what we’re getting for our money, what we’re building, and some numbers on the whole thing…
Tags: American Foursquare, architecture, cargo container architecture, Charleston Single, City of Rochester, Craftsman, development plans, Filling In, Genesee Street, Matthew Denker, Plover Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, vacant lot, Victorian
Hide Your Kids, Krampus is Coming to Rochester
December 3rd, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
![A FREE community event, 'Breakfast with Krampus' will bring subversive holiday humor to Rochester. [PHOTO: Provided by Eric Rezsnyak]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/breakfast-with-krampus-2013-01.jpg)
Are you sick of the crass commercialism of Christmas? Looking to add a little edge to your holiday festivities? Here’s a free event you won’t want to miss. On Saturday, December 7, at MuCCC (142 Atlantic Ave.) snag breakfast with everyone’s favorite holiday demon, Krampus, and help some needy kids at the same time.
Who the hell is Krampus? I’m glad you asked…
![A greeting card featuring Krampus. [IMAGE: Wikipedia]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/krampus.jpg)
Krampus 
is a creature from Eastern European folklore. While St. Nicholas would go around handing out gifts and fruit to well-behaved children, his pal Krampus—covered in fur, long slithering tongue, horns and hooves like a goat—would take the bad children, put them in a sack, and beat them with sticks. If they were particularly naughty, he’d put them in a basket and drag them to hell.
![The Kramplings, a group of friends/idiots in Rochester, are eager to bring Krampus to Western New York. [PHOTO: Provided by Eric Rezsnyak]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/breakfast-with-krampus-2013-02.jpg)
Krampus is making a comeback in Europe and becoming popular around the world now too. Here in Rochester, a group of friends who call themselves the Kramplings, are eager to bring Krampus to Western NY.
“We don’t in any way encourage child beating – far from it. We see Krampus as a cautionary tale, a tool to help modern-day kids behave around the holidays, because the Santa threat no longer works,” the Kramplings said in a press release. “Those kids know they’re getting presents no matter what they do. But bad behavior equals getting spanked by a demon? That’ll motivate them to clean their rooms and stop kicking their brother/sister.”
To spread the bad word of Krampus, the Kramplings have put together Breakfast with Krampus, a FREE community on Saturday, December 7 from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Come down to MuCCC with a new, unwrapped toy to donate to less-fortunate kids. Krampus himself will be on stage. If he likes your toy, you’ll get a free breakfast treat of your choosing. If he doesn’t, he’ll publicly harass you. And if you’re particularly bad, he might just drag you to the underworld.
But that’s not all!
In addition to a visit with Krampus, you can also:
- Get your photo taken with the holiday demon (for a nominal fee)
- Check out an educational display on Krampus and other disturbing, archaic holidays icons
- Make crafts with Krampus
- Shop an alternative arts & crafts fair and bake sale
- Buy Krampus merchandise (t-shirts, buttons, greeting cards, music, etc.)
- Take in a live performance by The Bloody Noes and other special guests
Admission to Breakfast with Krampus is totally FREE — however the event is intended ONLY for ages 16 and up. (We don’t want to scare any children – that’s your job.) All toys donated at the event will be given to a local charity. All funds raised at the bake sale and arts and crafts fair will be kept by the local artists and crafters.
Event Details:
WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
WHERE: MuCCC – 142 Atlantic Ave. (map )
WHAT: FREE community event. Learn about the stick-wielding European anti-Santa who terrorizes bad children. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to needy kids. If Krampus likes it, you’ll get a treat. If not, he’ll publicly harass you. PLUS: Get your photo with Krampus (nominal fee), make crafts, shop a local arts & crafts fair, buy Krampus merchandise, and take in a live performance by The Bloody Noes.
WHO: Open to everyone 16 and older
For more information on Breakfast with Krampus contact Eric Rezsnyak at ericrezsnyak@gmail.com or 585-748-1247. Or visit breakfastwithkrampus.com . Krampus can also be found on Twitter or Facebook .
Tags: Eric Rezsnyak, Krampus, Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), Santa, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, The Bloody Noes
Historic Rochester in 3D Stereoscope
November 25th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 3 Comments »
![3D Stereogram of High Falls (c.1885) [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/high-falls-rochester-1885.gif)
From the 1850′s to the 1930′s stereograms were considered cutting edge home entertainment technology. Two photos taken at the same time from slightly different angles would be view together using a special set of lenses called a stereoscope. The result would be an ever so subtle (yet mind-tingling) simulated 3D view…
Tags: Academy Building, Athenaeum Library, Chapin's monument, CJ Hayden monument, High Falls, Lake Avenue, Lower Falls, Monroe County Court House, Mount Hope Cemetery, old photos, old photos of Rochester, old photos of Rochester NY, Pitkin monument, Pitkin vault, Powers Building, Rochester, Rochester City Hall, Rochester Free Academy, Rochester NY, Sibley Building, Sibley's, Sibley's Department Store, Sibly Lindsay & Curr Co., stereogram, stereoscope, stereoscopic views, vintage views, West Main Street
Happy Holidays! Save on Rochester Subway Posters and Framing
November 24th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Gifts | No Comments »
![Get 20% off the Rochester Subway or Rochester Neighborhoods maps, then take it to Black Radish Studio for 25% off a custom framing job! Happy Holidays! [PHOTO: Black Radish Studio]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-frame-by-black-radish-01.jpg)
If you’re camping outside some big box store in the freezing cold waiting to get trampled in an attempt to grab a “Black Friday deal,” here’s something that may just save your life.
Now thru next Saturday, you can take 20% off the 24×36 Rochester Subway Map, 1928 Rochester Subway Map or the Rochester Neighborhoods Map. But wait, there’s more…
Tags: Black Radish Studio, gift idea, Gift Shop, Rochester, Rochester Subway map, Rochester Subway Poster, subway gifts
Elusive Memories of Iola, Part 2
November 22nd, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 1 Comment »
![Children (patients) on the roof of Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium (c.1939). That's Marilyn Casserino in the center. [PHOTO COURTESY OF: Marilyn Murphree]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-tuberculosis-sanatorium-children-crop.jpg)
Here’s an update to last Friday’s story about Marilyn Casserino, 79. Marilyn is the girl in the dark dress in the center of the photo above. This picture was taken c.1939 on the roof of the Children’s Building at Iola Tuberculosis Sanitorium where Marilyn was a patient, along with her mother Vivian.
Unfortunately, Marilyn’s mom passed away while at the hospital. Marilyn was just 6 at the time. Looking back at those days, she now wishes she could remember more – about her mom, and about this place where they were treated for well over a year.
For starters, she wanted to try and find out who the other girls in the photo were. Would you believe in less than one week we’ve now identified two of those girls…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, AJ Costello & Son, Beverly Ferguson, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, East Henrietta Road, historic preservation, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Jean Bissiett, Marilyn Casserino, Monroe Community Hospital, Monroe County, preservation, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Vivian Casserino, Westfall Road
13 T-Shirts
November 21st, 2013Posted in Art + Culture | 2 Comments »
![13 Rochester T-shirts [PHOTO: Tiny Fish Printing]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/13-rochester-tshirts.jpg)
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each… 13x13x13. Turns out this was much more work than I thought. So I’ve been accepting submissions from others. Today’s series of 13 comes to us from Tiny Fish Printing , a custom apparel printing company located near the public market.
T-shirts are an American staple. We all have our favorite one that we wear until our belly button shows through. They’re a great way to show our support for our favorite local institutions… restaurants, bands, clubs, etc. They allow us to show off our creative side, even we don’t have a creative bone in our body. And best of all, they keep us from being naked.
Uh, ok… Let’s just take a look at 13 awesome local t-shirt designs…
Tags: 13 T-shirts, 13x13x13, art, Flatline, graphic design, Hell On Earth, Ice Nine Kills (INK), Juan & Maria's Empanada Stop, Kink Bike, Montezuma Winery, Old Skull Skate Boards, Outlaw, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester, Rochester Brainery, Rochester NY, t-shirts, The Sunstreak, Tiny Fish Printing, Whoopzip Clothing, Wildflowers & Wine
Deep Inside Rochester’s Big Old Sibley Building
November 18th, 2013Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 73 Comments »
![The Sibley Building, Rochester NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-sibley-building-01.jpg)
This former department store (Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company) is truly massive. Rochester’s Sibley Building weighs in at over 1.1 million square feet (23 acres of floorspace) – easily the largest building in Monroe County.
WinnCompanies out of Boston now owns the property and plans to spend up to $200 Million over the next five years to bring it back to life as mixed-use space. Holy smokes, do these guys have their work cut out for them. You may have noticed new windows and awnings along Main Street? Some 2,000 windows have yet to be replaced.
Last week the UofR Urban Explorers Club went on a tour through the maze of hallways and spaces, from the dark sub-basement all the way up to the two massive water tanks on the tower rooftop…
Tags: abandoned places, downtown Rochester, EZ-net, Main Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sibley Building, Sibley's, Sibley's Department Store, Sibly Lindsay & Curr Co., University of Rochester, urban exploration, urban explorers, UrbEx Club, Winn Development, WinnCompanies
Elusive Memories of Iola
November 15th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 14 Comments »
A couple months ago we took a look inside the Iola tuberculosis hospital on Westfall Road. The buildings have since been demolished. But for Marilyn Casserino, 79, those photos triggered memories, and questions that will linger on…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, East Henrietta Road, historic preservation, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Marilyn Casserino, Monroe Community Hospital, Monroe County, preservation, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Vivian Casserino, Westfall Road
University of Rochester’s Lost Swimming Pool Revisited
November 12th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 4 Comments »
![The abandoned swimming pool at University of Rochester has been cleaned of its desk chairs. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/university-of-rochester-abandoned-pool2-01.jpg)
Earlier this year we took a look at some amazing photos of this abandoned swimming pool on the University of Rochester campus. Within days of those photos being posted here, the university had cleaned up the scene. These new photos got lost in my computer which is why you’re just seeing them now. But I thought it was worth revisiting…
Tags: abandoned swimming pool, Merle Spurrier Gymnasium, Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, U of R, University of Rochester
Sculpey House Ornaments
November 8th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Gifts | No Comments »
Are you looking for gift ideas this holiday season? Here’s one that’s sure to fill any proud homeowner with good cheer. Local artist Kimberly Kllc DiPietro makes awesome little house ornaments out of Sculpey®! There can’t possibly be a better way to commemorate one’s home than with America’s favorite oven-baked clay…
Tags: 19th Ward, 19th Ward neighborhood, Aberdeen Street, architecture, art, Christmas, gift idea, Kimberly Kllc DiPietro, Sculpey house ornaments
Midtown Plaza and Baby Steps Back to Urbanism
November 6th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 20 Comments »
The following is a guest post submitted by Irene Allen.
Submit your story today.
I was thinking about our collective reactions to the proposed D&C building, and the completed Windstream building. Clearly both buildings are more modest than what many of us hoped to see in this key downtown site (and what the zoning code spells out for downtown). It’s an issue that I think applies to all infill development downtown, and the ideas behind Incremental Urbanism shed some interesting light on it.
Tags: Irene Allen
Tom Richards Wins
November 4th, 2013Posted in Interviews, Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News | 6 Comments »
![Recently, RochesterSubway.com asked Facebook fans who they were voting for in the upcoming race for Mayor. The results are in. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-race-for-mayor-2013.jpg)
Recently, RochesterSubway.com asked Facebook fans who they were voting for in the upcoming race for Mayor. The results are in. Statistically speaking, no one should read too much into this crudely constructed poll. But it did attract some rather interesting results.
If this race were decided on Facebook likes, Tom Richards (Independent) wins hands down with 23. Alex White (Green) finished with 7. And Lovely Warren (Democrat) pulled in 2 (and one person voted for all three candidates). Richards also had the edge with the shear number of comments left.
If anything can be taken away from this, it’s that Lovely Warren supporters were missing in action. Not one positive comment was left for Warren. Either they don’t read RochesterSubway.com, or they are busy on the campaign trail. We’ll know for sure tomorrow night.
DO NOT miss your chance to voice your choice at the real polls tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the comments…
Tags: Alex White, candidates for mayor, Democrats, election day, Green Party, Lovely Warren, politics, Rochester election, Rochester mayoral candidates, Rochester race for mayor, Thomas Richards, vote, vote for mayor
How Public/Private Investment Downtown Helps the Entire City
October 31st, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 39 Comments »
![Midtown Tower construction site. [PHOTO: Jimmy Combs]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/public-private-investment-midtown-rochester-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Martin Edic.
Submit your story today.
Recent commentary from the Green Party candidate for mayor made me realize that for many, there are simplistic black and white arguments regarding the value of investing in downtown versus investment in education and poverty alleviation.
The Green Party outrage over the sale of Midtown to Buckingham/Morgan developers for $2.00 is one example. I’d like to talk about how the economics work, and why I think there’s a bigger picture being overlooked…
Tags: development, downtown Rochester, Fast Ferry, Hilton Garden Inn, Martin Edic, Midtown Plaza, Midtown Tower, Renaissance Square, Sibley Building, tax abatements, tax incentives
SUNY Rochester?
October 28th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 27 Comments »
![Donald J. Sullivan would like to see a SUNY college in downtown Rochester. [PHOTO: Flickr, PatrickHashley]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/sunyroc-suny-rochester-skyline-patrickhashley.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Donald J. Sullivan.
Submit your story today.
Rochester is a city with a rich history that has experienced a steady decline in population, quality of life, and reputation. Despite this the city has many proud residents who are not satisfied with the status quo. Due to repeated failures we’re skeptical of large projects. This environment of pride mixed with skepticism has produced a generation of Rochester supporters who embrace progressive ideas, respect history, and proceed with caution. My personal contribution is a plan to establish a large State University in Downtown Rochester. We’ll call it SUNY Rochester.
Tags: Donald J. Sullivan, downtown Rochester, Monroe Community College (MCC), Nazareth College, Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY, St. John Fisher College, State University of New York, SUNY Albany, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Rochester, University of Rochester
Durand Eastman Park and the Lady In White
October 25th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 30 Comments »
![Durand-Eastman Park, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-durand-eastman-park-01.jpg)
Durand-Eastman Park. So peaceful and picturesque. This time of year the autumn colors are brilliant. And the water is so calm and reflective; the landscape seems to gently float up into the sky. This could be heaven.
On the edge of one great Lake Ontario, two much smaller lakes, Durand and Eastman are named for the two men who donated the land for this beautiful park. In the early 1900′s Dr. Henry S. Durand owned a summer camp here. He and his friend George Eastman saw a need for a public park with access to the beach. So they bought a number of farms around the Durand property, and in 1907 they offered the land to the City of Rochester.
But to willingly give away this place, I have to believe Dr. Durand knew contained something that was not quite right. Maybe something terrifying…
Tags: Durand Eastman Park, Durand Eastman Park refectory, Durand Lake, Eastman Lake, Eelissa, Frank LaLoggia, ghost, ghost story, Jenni Oneske, Lady In White, Lady of the Lake, Lake Ontario, Rochester, Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, Rochester NY, Three Lakes Pavilion
Business Improvement District Could Bolster Downtown
October 22nd, 2013Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
![Ambassadors with the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District provide a variety of services including street cleaning and beautification, providing information, and security. [PHOTO: MinneapolisDID.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/downtown-improvement-district-01.jpg)
If you live, work or own a business in downtown Rochester, yesterday you might have received a request to answer a few questions. Do NOT throw it away! Trust me. It’s important.
That Downtown Satisfaction Survey is intended to gather insights which will help in establishing a Business Improvement District. What’s that? I’m glad you asked…
Tags: Boston, business improvement district, downtown, downtown improvement district, downtown Rochester, Downtown Special Services, Heidi N. Zimmer-Meyer, Minneapolis, New York City, Red Shirts, Rochester, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC), Rochester information booth, Rochester NY
Bike Rochester: El Camino and Route 390 Trails
October 20th, 2013Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 5 Comments »
![The fifth and final part of Ryan Green's Bike Rochester Series... the El Camino and Route 390 Trails! [PHOTO: Ryan Green]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rg-bike-rochester-el-camino-and-route-390-trails-014.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Ryan Green.
Submit your story today.
This is the final part of my series on Rochester’s plethora of trails! However, there are still many which I haven’t covered. For a more complete list and description of trails in the region, check out Rochester Trails . If you haven’t, check out the past segments we have covered: Downtown to Fairport , Lake Ontario , Brockport , and the Genesee Valley Greenway and Lehigh Valley Trail loop .
This final part serves to tie up some loose ends, and to showcase additional trail options and connections in the region. Here, we will go on an alternative route North to the lake, this time on the east side of the river gorge, and check out the parkway and Route 390 trails, which provide us with additional connections. [View this route in Google Earth using this .KMZ file]
Tags: Basil Marella Park, bicycle path, bike path, Butterhole Seneca Park Trail, City of Rochester, Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge, downtown Rochester, El Camino Trail, Erie Canal, Erie Canalway Trail, Genesee Greenway Trail, Genesee River, Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Valley Park, Greece, Greece Canal Landing Business Park, I-390, Irondequoit, Island Cottage Road, Janes Road, Lake Avenue, Lake Ontario State Parkway, Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail, Latta Road, Long Pond Road, Rochester, Rochester NY, Route 390 Trail, Ryan Green, Saint Joseph Street, Saint Paul Boulevard, Saint Paul Street, Scrantom Street, Seneca Park, Seneca Park Avenue, Stutson Street, The Flats, Thomas Avenue, Van Voorhis Avenue, West Ridge Road
A Cinderella Story
October 18th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 3 Comments »
![Meet Victor Jackson. October, 1918. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-dorsey-home-orphans-pumpkins-01.jpg)
Meet Victor Jackson. The year is 1918 and Victor has no family. He’s an orphan at the Dorsey Home for Dependent Colored Children. You might say the cards are stacked against Victor. But he doesn’t mind…
Tags: African-American history, Brighton, Charlie Davis, Dorsey Home for Dependent Colored Children, Dr. Samuel McCree Way, Eddie Goode, Elizabeth, Halloween, Isabella Dorsey, jack-o-lanterns, McQuaid Jesuit High School, orphans, pumpkin carving, Reynolds Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seabreeze, Thomas Dorsey, Victor Jackson
Take the “Slow Road” Across New York
October 16th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Video | 4 Comments »
![Benjamin Woelk wants to produce a grassroots travel documentary series called 'Slow Road.' [PHOTO: Provided]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/benjamin-woelk-slow-road-01.jpg)
If you’re like me, and you enjoy exploring local places most people overlook, here’s a neat project you might want to support. Benjamin Woelk (30, Rochester) and Jason Darnieder (Flower City Media) are working on a documentary travel series that focuses on exploring upstate and western N.Y. He’s calling the project “Slow Road” – a documentary series dedicated to sustaining community, preserving the past, and exploring America’s roads less traveled…
Tags: Auburn, Benjamin Woelk, Buffalo, Erie Canal, Flower City Media, Ithaca, Jason Darnieder, Kickstarter, movie, Oswego, Rochester, Slow Road, Syracuse, travel, upstate New York, video, western New York
![\"RochesterSubway.com\"](\"http://rochestersubway.com/images/pixel_white.gif\"){kind=tracking}
Rochester Business News
