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By Mike Governale

In 1870 Ellwanger & Barry (and other wealthy investors) owned a spot along the west bank of the Genesee River gorge known as Maple Grove. At the time, the Lake Avenue streetcar line stretched all the way to this point, and in an effort to stimulate traffic on the trolley line, they had built Rochester’s first water-side resort; the Glen House…

Located directly below Maple Grove (now Maplewood Park ), standing between the river gorge cliff and the riverbank, the Glen House was a fine restaurant with scenic views of the Genesee River and quickly became a favorite spot for dining and dancing.

Here’s a view looking south along the Genesee towards the Glen House. Mist from the Lower Falls can be seen in the background.

From 1870 to 1890 this was a major recreation spot for Rochesterians who were growing wealthier thanks to the growth of Eastman Kodak and the development of Kodak Park .

When it was built in 1870, patrons had to reach it down approximately 150 steps. In 1878 a hydraulic elevator (the structure to the left) was added for easier access. A.J. Warner is believed to be the building’s architect.

The restaurant had long sloping roofs and broad porches. Here’s a simulation of a stereoscopic view (above) that gives us a pretty good feel for the space.

People would hike, view the falls, dine, dance, attend concerts, rent boats, fish and take excursion boats to Lake Ontario.

Glen House was also an excellent spot for a leisurely dinner after a day of racing at nearby Driving Park race track. Popular menu choices included pheasant in casserole and roasted wild duck.

Many excursion steamers traveled up the Genesee, picking up and dropping off passengers at the Glen House. In the photo above, passengers wait to board the “City of Rochester” steamboat at the boat landing. The steamer leaves here for the mouth of river and Lake Ontario about 5 miles north – sometimes traveling as far as Seabreeze .

The “Sylvan Stream” sidewheeler steamboat, owned by the Rochester and Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, made daily summer trips between the Glen House and Charlotte.

Sylvan Stream could carry 800 passengers.

In 1889 when electric trolley service began carrying passengers all the way north to Ontario Beach Park , the popularity of the Glen House declined.

Fire destroyed the Glen House in 1894 and in 1900 the site was cleared.

In 1904 Maple Grove and the Glen House property became part of the Rochester park system.

UPDATE: At the top of the gorge—near where the sign for Kelsey’s Landing are ruins of an old park pavilion. These are NOT part of the Glen House elevator as previously stated. Thanks to those who left comments.

Tags: Charlotte, City of Rochester Steamboat, Eastman Kodak, Ellwanger-Barry, Genesee River, Genesee River Gorge, Glen House, history of Rochester, Kodak Park, Lake Avenue, Lake Ontario, Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, Maple Grove, Maplewood Park, old photos of Rochester, old photos of Rochester NY, Ontario Beach Park, riverboat, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Seabreeze, Sylvan Stream

This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2015 at 10:57 pm and is filed under Architecture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.