![High Falls, c.1900 [IMAGE: Part of 'Revisiting Rochester' exhibit]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/revisiting-rochester-high-falls.jpg)
A new exhibition celebrating Rochester’s heritage encourages us to honor and preserve our past as we seek to revive our city for the future. Beginning February 3, a collection of digitally-enhanced images of Rochester during the Progressive Era will be on display at Joe Bean Coffee Roasters [map 
] throughout the entire month of February.
Posts Tagged ‘Rochester’...
New Gallery Exhibit: Revisiting Rochester
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012Tags: Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, Kind of the Hill, Mike Battle, old photos, old photos of Rochester, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY, The Simpsons, vintage views
Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 4 Comments »
What to the Slave is the 4th of July?
Sunday, January 15th, 2012![An engraved portrait of Frederick Douglass, noted African-American abolitionist. Douglass was an active abolitionist in the Rochester area and a sought-after lecturer after the Civil War. After his home on South Avenue was destroyed by fire in 1872 he moved to Washington, D.C. [PORTRAIT BY: Ritchie, Alexander Hay, 1822-1895.]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/frederick-douglass-portrait.jpg)
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day we are hopefully reminded of the inspiring actions and many speeches by an individual who dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom and basic human rights—not just for one group, but for all people.
Of course, in Rochester we also remember other individuals who made tremendous contributions to this ongoing effort… Susan B. Anthony for women’s rights and suffrage. And Frederick Douglas (depicted above) for the abolition of slavery.
One speech in particular, given by Douglas on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, is arguably one of the most momentous oratories in American history. It’s one that helped set the stage for the transformation of America from a country that was, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, “half slave and half free” to one which was at least on its way to guaranteeing the “blessings of liberty” to all men (and eventually women)…
Tags: anti-slavery, civil rights, Corinthian Hall, Corinthian Street, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Isaac and Amy Post, Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sophia Street, Susan B. Anthony, underground railroad, What to the Slave is the 4th of July?
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 4 Comments »
A Drive-Thru Rochester
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
A few weeks ago I was driving home from my downtown office and happened to have my camera with me. Not sure why but I thought it be interesting to see what I’d capture if I left it on my dashboard for the ride. Now don’t try this at home—distracted driving is not cool. I’m a professional… idiot that is.
Anyway, the results I thought were pretty cool. And it got even cooler with some quick editing and quadruple speed playback. Throw in a mirror effect and some of that dope-ass hip hop music all the kids are listening to… and now we’ve got something worth sharing.
So go ahead—turn down the lights, pump up the volume, and hit it full screen. Let me know what you think in the comments.
Tags: ad, automobile, dashboard camera, downtown Rochester, drive, hip hop, rapper, Rochester, rochester music video, Rochester New York, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, rochestersubway.com, urban
Posted in Video | 14 Comments »
Subway Santa’s Sweet Sack of Stuff
Saturday, December 10th, 2011![Subway Santas [Flickr Photo: t_a_i_s]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/subway-santas-t_a_i_s.jpg)
Subway Santa is a little late to the party this year. The lack of snow this holiday season has wreaked havoc on his internal clock. We’ve got just two weeks left for Christmas shoppers—even less for Hanukkah. So let’s cut the bull and get right to it. Last year we were inspired by these crafty Rochester Subway gift ideas. This year, Rochester Subway Santa has two more goodies for you.
Tags: Black Radish Studio, gift idea, Gift Shop, holidays, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway map, Rochester Subway Poster, subway gifts, tokens, transit tokens
Posted in Subway Gifts | 2 Comments »
They Paved History and Put Up a Parking Lot
Friday, December 9th, 2011
![Genesee Brewery. [Flickr Photo: _Yoshi_]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-brewery-sign-yoshi.jpg)
The following thoughts were submitted by Joel Helfrich:
The spate of recent articles in the D&C regarding local construction projects also means that there will be a great amount of demolition of older buildings and historic properties. Take, for example, the recent decision to demolish the Cataract Brewery buildings in High Falls. The cost to demolish the properties alone—estimated at $800,000 to $1 million—is more than twice the amount for which Genesee Brewery was recently selling the two Cataract Brewery buildings and a large parking lot. That same amount could be used to install a new roof and windows, “button up” the building, and abate the lead paint, within the older “gem” brewery building. Although the oldest Cataract building is currently a “liability” in the words of a developer who recently toured the property, it could actually act as the driver for redevelopment. Historic Preservation Tax Credits, coupled with city, county, state, and federal monies, could pay for at least 30-40% of construction costs, and potentially way more if the City took on the lead abatement costs and Genesee Brewery and its owner, KPS Capital, acted as an investor or partner in redevelopment.
Tags: architecture, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, High Falls, Joel Helfrich, KPS Capital Partners, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Interviews, Opinion, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
Imagine, Rochester’s Historic Brewery Square
Sunday, December 4th, 2011![A view of what could one day be Rochester's Historic Brewery Square and entrance to the GardenAerial trail (right). [RENDERING: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/cataract-rendering-empty.jpg)
Rendering of renovated buildings and GardenAerial trail
I realize that sometimes it’s a bit difficult to see the potential in something. Especially when that “potential” is hidden beneath layers of mustard yellow paint, rusty corrugated siding, and 25+ years of plain old tired…
![The original panorama photo set used to create the rendering of Brewery Square. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/cataract-rendering-original.jpg)
The way things look now (click for larger views)
Why, just the other day Howard S. Decker, FAIA said, “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder.” Mr. Decker is former Principal of DLK Architecture (Chicago) and former Chief Curator of the National Building Museum (Washington DC). He knows a thing or two about buildings, and places that are worth saving for future generations. His highly experienced eyes see the potential in 13 Cataract Street and the neighborhood it lives in.
But what about the rest of us? How can we be sure this building is worth the money and effort it will take to bring it back to life? What is the alternative to demolition? And will we lose our Brewery Visitor Center if we don’t tear this other building down??
Let’s start with an excerpt taken from a document filed by the Landmark Society in 1984 with the New York State Parks and Recreation Division for Historic Preservation…
Tags: architecture, Cataract Brewing Company, Dorraine Kirkmire, GardenAerial, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, High Falls, Highline, KPS Capital Partners, Michael Psaros, New York City, North American Breweries, NYC, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester Historic Brewery Square, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
Help Save This Rochester Brewing Landmark
Saturday, November 19th, 2011
On Friday officials at the Genesee Brewery unveiled plans they say will “create a destination for beer lovers that anchors development on downtown Rochester’s Northeast side.” Before we get too excited, let’s think.
![The building as it was in 1899. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-brewery.jpg)
North American Breweries says their planned “Genesee Brew House…will celebrate the storied history and experience of the Genesee brand” and that they want to “tell the story of [this] resilient company with a rich history that dates back to 1878.” But to do this they will demolish this building; the centerpiece of Rochester’s historic brewing district, built 1899.
Tags: architecture, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, High Falls, KPS Capital Partners, Michael Psaros, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 20 Comments »
North American Breweries (NYC) Unveils Plan to Demolish Historic Rochester Building
Friday, November 18th, 2011
The following press release was issued today by North American Breweries, the NYC investment firm that owns Genesee Brewery.
In brief, they plan to renovate an old packaging building, turn it into a visitor center, and level two of the last remaining original buildings in the heart of Rochester’s historic brewing district. The press release claims that the new visitor center “hinges” on the demolition of these historic buildings – not because the new visitor center is being built on the land, but because the old buildings impede the view of High Falls.
What the press release doesn’t mention is that one local group, the people behind the Garden Aerial Project and the Greentopia Festival, expressed interest in these buildings three months ago. They want to renovate the old buildings and turn them into office space and a visitor center in partnership with the brewery. I was told North American Breweries turned them down because the money wasn’t right. So it looks like they will spend $600,000 to demolish the buildings instead. ??
This press release comes at the perfect time for North American Breweries. I learned today that they are planning to submit their application on Monday to demolish 13 Cataract St.
Read between the lines (and drink responsibly)…
Tags: architecture, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, High Falls, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 12 Comments »
Dear Genesee Brewery: Inspiration From Baltimore
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011![The recently renovated and beautifully restored American Brewery building in Baltimore, Maryland. [Flickr Photo: Prêt à Voyager]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/american-brewery-baltimore-1.jpg)
RochesterSubway.com will be 3 years old this January and recently it welcomed it’s 100,000th visitor. While the bulk of this web traffic is local, the website gets a fair amount of visits from every corner of the country. And those visitors are very important. Case in point, Norm from Baltimore, Maryland. Norm read our story about Genesee Brewery wanting to demolish the old Standard Brewing Company Building and he sent us some inspiration from his home town…
(more…)
Tags: American Brewing Company, architecture, Baltimore, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, Humanim, Maryland, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
Genesee Brewery to Demolish This Building
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
![Genesee Brewery getting set to demolish this building. That would be a great loss. [Flickr Photo: Zeus-the-Ferret]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-brewery-Zeus-the-Ferret.jpg)
RocSubway has word from good sources this afternoon that Genesee Brewery will submit an application today to demolish this building at the eastern end of the High Falls pedestrian bridge at 13 Cataract Street. This will likely be going to the Zone Board hearing on Dec 15. Obviously, if true, this would be a great architectural and historical loss for Rochester. If you know anyone with deep pockets, now is a great time to buy!
Tags: architecture, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewing Company, High Falls, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester NY, Standard Brewing Company
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 48 Comments »
That Night in the Subway Tunnel: “We felt we were being followed”
Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Last Halloween I posted a ghastly warning about the abandoned Rochester subway tunnel. That warning was sent to us by a reader who claimed he knew people who once lived and died in the tunnel, and that he now feels a strong “spiritual pressure” whenever he returns there.
Jeffrey’s not the only one who feels these strange vibes from the subway tunnel. RochesterSubway.com often receives stories like these from people who claim to have been followed, or chased, out of the defunct subway. Though rarely do we get to see physical evidence of the ghoulish bouncer.
Last week Aaron Killeen sent in this mysterious photo (shown below) and gave a spine-tingling account of a night inside the Rochester subway, which he says he and his friends will not soon forget…
Tags: Aaron Killeen, abandoned tunnel, ghost subway, Halloween, haunted subway tunnel, Jeffrey Smith, paranormal, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway story, Rochester Subway tunnel, spirits, urban explorers
Posted in Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway Stories | 3 Comments »
1930′s Postcard Decoded
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
I’ve had this postcard in my collection for a few years now and it’s one of my favorites for a couple reasons. It’s late 1920′s (or early 30′s) and depicts the brand new (at the time) Broad Street and Rochester subway tunnel. The Rundel Library is not shown where it normally would be (to the right of Broad Street) because it hasn’t been built yet. But I also love this card because of the handwritten message on the back. It’s always been very mysterious to me — because it’s in German!
Rich Rolwing, a RochesterSubway.com reader, recently emailed me and very excitedly offered to translate the message. And so the mystery has finally been solved! Here it is, as written in 1938 from Karl (presumably visiting Rochester from Chicago)…
Dear Frank:
Thank you for your letter and also that letter from Foley. Noch immer nichts gehoert f.P. Vielleicht heute oder morgen. Lass dir dann gleich wissen. Waren gestern beim einen Park picnicen. Paul hat jetzt Vacation diese und naechste Woche. hat immer noch Halsweh. sonst alles schoen auch Beer.
Thank you for your letter and also that letter from Foley. Noch immer nichts gehoert f.P. Vielleicht heute oder morgen. Lass dir dann gleich wissen. Waren gestern beim einen Park picnicen. Paul hat jetzt Vacation diese und naechste Woche. hat immer noch Halsweh. sonst alles schoen auch Beer.
Gruss. Karl.
And the English translation…
Tags: aqueduct, Erie Canal Aqueduct, Genesee Aqueduct, old photos of Rochester, prohibition, Rich Rolwing, Rochester, Rochester history, rochester images, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, vintage postcard
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 1 Comment »
The Biggest Day for Transit in Rochester Since 1927
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
A few weeks ago I posted this letter to RocSubway readers asking them to join me and Reconnect Rochester in casting a symbolic vote for the future of public transit in Rochester. Those votes will be cast tomorrow, on Critical Mass Transit Day. Thank you to the hundreds of people who asked us for pins and pledged to ride. With your help this could be the biggest day for Rochester’s transit system since the Rochester subway opened in 1927. I believe it already is.
Tags: Critical Mass Transit Day, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Events, Transit + Infrastructure | 2 Comments »
Prohibition in Rochester
Sunday, October 2nd, 2011![The Doud Saloon on Front Street in the late 1800s. [PHOTO: Local History Division, Rochester Public Library.]](http://rochestersubway.com/images/photos/doud-saloon-rochester.jpg)
A much anticipated documentary on the prohibition era will air Sunday night on WXXI. Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the story of “the rise, rule, and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution” which outlawed alcohol and tossed everything we thought we knew about America upside down.
The following is an excerpt from a 1992 edition of Rochester History magazine, edited by Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck, City Historian…
Tags: American Brewing Company, Bartholomay Brewery Co., Cataract Brewing Company, Clarissa Street, Doud Saloon, Frankfort Tavern, Front Street, Genesee Brewing Company, Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, prohibition, Rochester, Rochester Brewing Company, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck, Standard Brewing Company, temperance movement, Wehle Baking Company
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | No Comments »
UFOs Over Rochester? Abductions??
Thursday, September 15th, 2011![Are you kidding me with this?? [PHOTO: Anonymous]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-vanishing-ufo-abduction.jpg)
A RocSubway reader (who has asked to remain anonymous) submitted the above photo a little over an hour ago. All we know is that the picture was taken at a gas station on Main Street near downtown Rochester. The victim has not been identified. At this time the FBI has stepped in and taken the scene over from RPD.
![UFO sighting over High Falls/Greentopia Festival. [PHOTO: VJ Ortiz]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-greentopia-ufo-sighting.jpg)
Yesterday, this photo (left) went viral after it was posted to Reconnect Rochester’s web site. It was taken at a Greentopia event in the High Falls neighborhood on Wednesday. The object in the sky has yet to be identified.
Something very unsettling is happening here…
Tags: Critical Mass Transit Day, flying saucer, Greentopia Festival, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester, Rochester Vanishing, UFO
Posted in Events, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
What’s Up With This Picture?
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Have you seen this photo? It was posted yesterday on Reconnect Rochester’s site. The organizers of the Greentopia Festival turned Commercial Street (in High Falls) into “green” space and hosted a lunch picnic for workers in the neighborhood. As if that weren’t strange enough… Then I looked a little closer at the photo. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT IN THE SKY?!?
I took the liberty of digitally enhancing the area of the photo that caught my eye. Tell me this isn’t the least bit curious…
Tags: Critical Mass, Critical Mass Transit Day, flying saucer, Greentopia Festival, High Falls, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester, UFO
Posted in Events, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
Inner Loop Officially ‘Dead Man Walking’
Friday, September 9th, 2011![An aerial view of Rochester on April 25, 1963. On the right is the cleared right-of-way for the final segment of the Inner Loop. [PHOTO: Local History Division, Central Library of Rochester.]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-inner-loop-construction-01.jpg)
It’s no secret that I am wholeheartedly in favor of removing Rochester’s Inner Loop roadway which encircles downtown and chokes it off from the surrounding neighborhoods like an ever tightening noose. What we didn’t know until today was that City Council and Mayor Tom Richards feel the same…
Tags: Carla Palumbo, Carolee Conklin, Democrat & Chronicle, Democrat and Chronicle, downtown Rochester, highway, highways, I-490, infrastructure, Inner Loop, New York, Rochester, Rochester City Council, Rochester NY, transportation, WXXI, Zack Seward
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 5 Comments »
I Spy a Bike Lane
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
Last week fresh paint went down on Saint Paul Street – from the Monroe County Social Services building north to School #8 near Avenue A. But wait a cottonpickin’ second… why’s that lane so darn skinny? How am I supposed to squeeze my Hummer through there?
Tags: Bertina Forde, bike lanes, bike plan, complete streets, downtown Rochester, El Camino Trail, pedestrian safety, red light camera, Rochester, Rochester Bicycle Master Plan Project, Rochester NY, Saint Paul Street, transportation
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 17 Comments »
St. Paul, South and Clinton Avenues Could Soon Go Two Ways
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
The City of Rochester has contracted with Laberge Group of Albany, New York to determine the feasibility of converting the one-way street couplets of St. Paul Street/South Avenue and North/South Clinton Avenue between Byron Street and Cumberland Street to two-way traffic to improve neighborhood accessibility and walkability. Key considerations are expected to include impacts to traffic congestion, safety, parking, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit, and service provision.
Tags: City of Rochester, Clinton Avenue, downtown Rochester, Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), Laberge Group, Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), NYSDOT, Rochester, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY, Saint Paul Quarter, Saint Paul Street, South Avenue, South Wedge, traffic conversion study, Washington Square
Posted in Rochester Subway, Transit + Infrastructure | 2 Comments »
New Images of Rochester’s Subway Tunnel Speak Volumes
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011![Rochester subway tunnel. [PHOTO: Lizz Comstock]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/lizz-comstock-subway-01.jpg)
“And the sign said, The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls.” If Simon & Garfunkel are right, these photos could be considered divine. They were taken over the past 2 years by local photographer Lizz Comstock and shared with us today via RocSubway’s Facebook page.
It was abandoned by Rochester Transit Corporation over 55 years ago, but as debris piles up and messages are written on top of other messages, the walls of Rochester’s subway tunnel seem to echo with indelible voices. And these photos are wonderful illustrations of the life that can still be found beneath our streets.
Tags: abandoned subway tunnel, Facebook, Graffiti, Lizz Comstock, photography, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Rochester Subway photos, Rochester Transit Corporation
Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester Subway | 2 Comments »
