Rochester’s Four Corners and Powers Building, 1904. (Rollover the image to zoom)
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Old Photo of Rochester’s Four Corners
One of Rochester’s most celebrated structures—the Powers Building—can now be yours. This photo, from the Library of Congress image collection, was taken in 1904 by the Detroit Publishing Co.
The magnification tool on this web page isn’t even good enough to see all detail in this image. Take my word for it, you can read the signs in the windows! Some of them read: “Fidelity Trust”, “Phoenix Mutual Life”, “Ashley & Loewenguth”, “One Price Hatters and Furriers”, and “Hot, Cold Shower Baths 25 cents” ...hot showers must have been a great novelty in 1904.
The construction site for the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Co. building can be seen in the lower left. The picket-like debris must have been crating for round pre-cut stones used to construct the building’s Greek style columns.
The four corners intersection was the first 12-way rail crossing in the world. Built in 1893, this interchange was known as the ‘Grand Union’ and it connected the Rochester & Sodus Bay and Rochester & Eastern Interurban rail lines.
This picture was taken at 2:55pm according the clock on State Street. Not sure what day it is though. Pedestrian traffic is pretty light so I’d guess it be a week day.
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.
