![A whiskey barrel lies among the shrubs and fallen leaves in a Webster gully. This close-up photograph, showing cloth in the top of the barrel, was taken before the dismembered body of Francesco Manzello had been removed from the barrel. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-mafia-barrel-murder-01.jpg)
What could be more fun than a barrel of monkeys? How about one filled with the body parts of a Rochester mobster? Yeah, I thought so. Ok, so here’s the story…
Archive: ‘Rochester Images’...
Rochester Mafia, the Banana King, and the Infamous “Barrel Murder”
Monday, September 16th, 2013Tags: Banana King, Black Hand (Mano Nero), Empire Blvd, Italian Mafia, mafia, mob, murder, Rochester, Rochester and Sodus Bay Railway, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market, Webster State Road
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 40 Comments »
Kodak Sign, of the Times
Friday, September 13th, 2013
I happened to be walking by Eastman Business Park this week when I noticed workers messing with the big Kodak sign. My heart of skipped a beat as my first thought was, they must be taking the sign down. I know it’s just a sign. But it’s also part of our collective story. I’d be disappointed to see it go. So I stopped and asked one of the guys if this was the case…
Tags: Eastman Business Park, Kodak, Kodak Park, Ridge Road, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester News | 7 Comments »
Bike Rochester: Downtown to Lake Ontario and Seabreeze
Monday, September 9th, 2013![Turning Point Park boardwalk. [PHOTO: Ryan Green]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rgbike-bike-to-lake-ontario-25-turning-point-park-boardwalk3.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Ryan Green.
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The second part of The Biking in Rochester Series showcases the route from downtown to Lake Ontario, following the Genesee River Trail. It is 20 miles, roundtrip, from downtown to the end of the pier at Lake Ontario Beach Park and back. Actually, I’ll take us a bit further and ride along the lake shore, east to Sea Breeze – adding another 8 miles to the trip.
Although this route is not as consistently scenic as the first one, it has much better rewards, and you get more of a workout. We’ll pass by 3 waterfalls, 3 beaches, 3 lighthouses, and two piers out onto the big lake. The western portion of this route is on the Genesee Riverway trail, a mostly completely dedicated bike path such as the one on the canal. The eastern portion is on King’s highway/Goodman street…
Tags: Beach Avenue, bicycle path, bike path, Brewer Street, Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge, Culver Road, downtown Rochester, Durand Eastman Park, Genesee Brewery, Genesee River, Genesee Riverway Trail, Goodman Street, hidden sidewalk, High Falls, Kings Highway, Kodak Research and Development, Lake Avenue, Lake Ontario, Lower Falls, Main Street, Maplewood Park, Middle Falls, Parkside Diner & Whispering Pines Miniature Golf, Pont De Rennes Bridge, Ryan Green, Seabreeze Amusement Park, secret sidewalk, Turning Point Park, Veterans Memorial Bridge
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 6 Comments »
Bike Rochester: Downtown to Fairport
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013![Ryan Green takes us on a bike ride from downtown Rochester to Fairport. [PHOTO: Ryan Green]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rgbike-erie-canal-path-return-04.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Ryan Green.
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This is the first in a series of photo tours aimed at encouraging people in the Rochester area—regardless of cycling ability—to get out and enjoy the plethora of trails we have. It is written as an introduction, although most people around here are probably already familiar with some of the trails. Disclaimer: I am not a local… and no where near a veteran cyclist!
Before we begin, I want to point out an advantage Rochester has over some of its upstate neighbors of similar size using Google maps… Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse/Central NY, Albany/Capital District. Granted, these maps are not 100% accurate. Nor are many of the paths paved. Still it helps give us an idea, in part, why Rochester was named the most bike friendly region in upstate New York (just barely making it on to the top 50 bike friendly cities in the USA 
).
Tags: bicycle path, bike path, Bushnell's Basin, downtown Rochester, Erie Canal, Erie Canal Path, Erie Harbor Apartments, Fairport, Genesee River, Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Valley Park, Pittsford, Ryan Green, Schoen Place, Towpath Cafe, University of Rochester
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 5 Comments »
Man vs. The 100 Ton Hunk of Slag
Friday, August 30th, 2013![The Port of Rochester shrouded in a thick orange haze. Smoke from an epic battle going on right now. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/slag-button-charlotte-beach-rochester-07.jpg)
For the past few weeks workers have been attacking a 100 ton hunk of slag that was discovered at the Port of Rochester last spring. Yesterday I noticed the giant plume of smoke from the O’rorke Bridge and made my way down to the scene of this epic battle. When the dust settles, who will remain standing? Man? Or The Slag?
Tags: Bethlehem Steel, blast furnace, Charlotte Beach, City of Rochester, construction, iron button, iron mill, Ontario Beach Park, Port of Rochester/Charlotte, Quinnesee Iron Mining Co., Rochester, Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), Rochester NY, slag, steel mill
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 5 Comments »
A Minute with Rochester Ukulele Orchestra (and SpongeBob)
Friday, August 16th, 2013![Sponge Bob at High Falls? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/sponge-bob-at-high-falls.jpg)
Every Thursday during the summer months, Hochstein Music School puts on a free concert at High Falls’ Granite Mills Park. Can you believe yesterday was the last concert for 2013?! CURSE YOU, SUMMER! YOU’RE TOO SHORT!
Anyway, as a fun Friday diversion, I thought I’d share just a minute of video from this final performance with the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra. (co-starring: Old Man SpongeBob, Dancing Elvis Kid, and Jumpy Jumping Guy)…
Tags: Granite Mills Park, High Falls, Hochstein at High Falls, Hochstein Music School, music, Rochester Ukulele Orchestra, SpongeBob SquarePants, ukulele, video
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images | 3 Comments »
River Clean Up Makes Some Progress
Wednesday, August 14th, 2013![Local photographer Clarke Conde has been snapping photos of the Genesee River all year. This patch of trash had been growing slowly like a giant, smelly tumor. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-river-garbage-clarke-conde-01.jpg)
A couple of weeks ago photographer Clarke Conde shared some dirty photos of Rochester’s riverfront on Facebook. Those photos made me sad. Dead trees, algae and trash had been collecting in this section of the river for over well over year. Smelly algae and logs are one thing. But add piles of plastic bottles, clothing, styrofoam, truck tires, other undesirables, and let stew for a year or more? To me, that’s more than a cosmetic problem. If I’m from out of town, I’d probably think Rochesterians just don’t give a hoot.
Thankfully, we all know that isn’t true. We pulled together. And we made a difference…
Tags: City of Rochester, Clarke Conde, Clean Sweep, garbage, Genesee River, John Callaghan, New York State Canal Corporation, pollution, rochester photos, trash, William Sweitzer
Posted in Opinion, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 6 Comments »
The Walls of El Camino
Friday, August 9th, 2013![Art from the Wall Therapy project along Rochester's El Camino Trail. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/wall-therapy-el-camino-trail-rochester.jpg)
I went to a big expensive university to study art for four years. I’ve traveled to Italy and marveled at the work of the great masters. I’ve gone out of my way to tip-toe through all the fancy art museums and galleries in New York and Toronto.
Earlier in the week I rode my bike down Rochester’s El Camino Trail. I’m not sure why, but art has never taken my breath away quite like this…
Tags: art, El Camino Trail, Graffiti, mural, Rochester, Rochester NY, street art, urban parks & trails, Wall-Therapy
Posted in Art + Culture, Opinion, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
Rochester’s Park System: a model for the world
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013![One of the pedestrian bridges in Genesee Valley Park. This was not originally part of Olmsted's plan. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library, Local History Division]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-valley-park-bridge.jpg)
If you’re a RocSubway reader and you love learning about Rochester as much as I do, you might want to check out 585 Magazine. It’s a pretty slick new bimonthly packed with tasty local bits on every topic imaginable. Plus, you might catch an occasional story on local places & history written by yours truly. In the current issue I attempt explore Rochester’s incredible, Olmsted-designed park system – in 800 words or less! Completely impossible, but I tried.
First, head over to 585 Mag and check out the story . Then come back here for fun extras, including Olmsted’s original plan drawings of Highland, Seneca, and Genesee Valley Parks, AND audio from my interview with JoAnn Beck, cochair of the Landmark Society’s Olmsted subcommittee…
Tags: 585 Magazine, Frederick Law Olmsted, Genesee Valley Park, Highland Park, JoAnn Beck, Landmark Society of Western New York, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seneca Park, urban parks & trails
Posted in Interviews, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 7 Comments »
Eew! Photos Document a Growing River of Trash
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
The City of Rochester recently put the finishing touches on some beautiful hardscaping and pathways connecting Mount Hope Avenue to the Genesee River Trail. Doesn’t a stroll along the river on a warm summer evening sound divine?
Umm, nah… I’ll take a rain check maybe. Have you seen our river lately?! LOOK at this…
Tags: City of Rochester, Clarke Conde, Clean Sweep, garbage, Genesee River, New York State Canal Corporation, pollution, rochester photos, trash, William Sweitzer
Posted in Opinion, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 14 Comments »
13 Works of Art… On Traffic Signal Boxes
Wednesday, July 17th, 2013
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment: Take 13 snapshots of 13 different subjects. Early on, someone suggested I do a series of traffic signal boxes – you know, the ones with the murals painted on them? At first I thought the idea was a little too obvious. I also thought many of the murals to be a little cliché. But soon I began to notice these things everywhere I looked. And then I felt like I couldn’t not do it.
While they may not be master works of art, these murals are definitely a unique part of our landscape. Some of them are kind of folksy; some are tongue-in-cheek; and many tell a story about the neighborhood. So, with the help of my friend Nicholas Swann , here are 13 of our favorite murals on traffic signal boxes…
Oh, and you’ll notice an extra one at the end. I’ve decided to paint one in my own neighborhood. You can tell me what you think…
Tags: 13, 13 traffic signal boxes, 13x13x13, art, mural, Nicholas Swann, public art, Rochester, Rochester NY, street art, traffic signal box mural
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Images | 17 Comments »
CityGate or ShittyGate? Seven Myths and Facts.
Sunday, July 14th, 2013![Iola Building 1 with copper wire removed and other trash. [PHOTO: Joel Helfrich]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-building-1-with-copper-wire-removed-and-other-trash-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Joel Helfrich.
Submit your story today.
I have been arguing about CityGate for some time, but have come to the realization that this project appears mostly a “done deal” and that it appears to have community support, which is unfortunate given the atrocious new Site Plans and Renderings.
What I hope to show in this post is that although the project appears to be moving forward and that Anthony J. Costello and Son appear to be “listening” to the community, I beg to differ. Here are some of the fallacies, as I see them and as have been reported on this blog, as well as my responses. Let us call them the “seven myths” of CityGate…
Tags: AJ Costello & Son, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Joel Helfrich, Monroe County, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 16 Comments »
Inside Rochester’s Terrence Tower
Monday, July 8th, 2013
This is probably the most intimidating building in all of Rochester. The 16-story Terrence Building was once heralded as a “tower of hope” for the mentally ill (see this blog post ). Today the vacant structure looms over Elmwood Avenue and the Rochester Psychiatric Center campus like a nightmare. The Elmwood psych center campus was originally constructed as the Rochester State Hospital. This state-run mental hospital took over responsibilities from the Monroe County Insane Asylum in 1891. The Terrence Building was opened in 1959 and housed over 1,000 beds until 1995 when the last patients were moved to newer facilities elsewhere on the campus.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside, you’d not be alone. One RocSubway reader (who wishes to remain anonymous) found a way into the secured building. He submitted several photos, along with this written account of his expedition. Be sure to watch the related video at the end of this post to learn more about the Terrence Building…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, Elmwood Avenue, insane asylum, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Rochester Psychiatric Center, Terrence Building, Terrence Tower, urban exploration
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 88 Comments »
Sand Sculpting at Charlotte Beach, 1922
Friday, June 28th, 2013
How’s this for a summertime Fun Foto Friday? This is Robert Pernell. He’s a sand artist. Or was. This photo was printed in the Rochester Herald on August 6, 1922. Robert used to entertain the crowds at Charlotte Beach with his larger-than-life creations…
Tags: Atlantic City, Charlotte, Charlotte Beach, Fun Foto Friday, history of Rochester, old photos, old photos of Rochester, Ontario Beach, Ontario Beach Park, Robert Pernell, Rochester, Rochester history, rochester images, Rochester NY, sand art, sand sculpture, World Championship of Sand Sculpting
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 2 Comments »
13 Houses of Worship
Monday, June 24th, 2013
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each. Simple. Right? I thought so. I started in February with 13 mailboxes and followed up with 13 storefronts. And that’s where I left off. Sometimes I just can’t keep up with my own crazy ideas. Luckily, my good friend Chris Clemens from The Burned Over District blog has stepped in to help me out with 13 houses of worship. The following images (in no particular order) are from all over the Rochester region. They add yet another dimension to this portrait of us…
Tags: 13 houses of worship, 13x13x13, church, First Church of Christ Scientist, First Unitarian Church (UUA), Gurdwara of Rochester (Sikhism), Islamic Center of Rochester (Islam), Megiddo Church (Christian Restorationists), Mormon Temple (Mormonism), mosque, Plymouth Spiritualist Church (Spiritualism), Protection of Our Mother Of God Russian Orthodox Church (Russian Orthodox), Rochester, Rochester NY, St. Lukes and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church (Episcopal), St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic), synagogue, temple, Temple B'rith Kodesh (Reformed Judasim), The Hindu Temple of Rochester (Hinduism), Two Saints Church, Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham (Buddhism)
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images | 10 Comments »
A 100 Ton Discovery at the Port of Rochester
Monday, June 17th, 2013![Did an asteroid land in the parking lot at Ontario Beach? Not quite. This 100 ton hunk of slag is a remnant from an old steel mill. [PHOTO: Fred Amato]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/slag-button-charlotte-beach-rochester-01.jpg)
David DiPonzio, a firefighter with the Lake Shore Fire District in Greece, sent me these photos (taken by friend Fred Amato) of a strange-looking crater in the middle of the parking lot at Ontario Beach Park. An asteroid? Uh, not quite. This may be the most interesting archeological find since RGRTA dug up the RKO Palace. That big rock you see in the center of the crater is actually a giant hunk of slag – left over from the iron or steel mill that once operated here…
Tags: Bethlehem Steel, blast furnace, Charlotte Beach, City of Rochester, construction, David DiPonzio, iron button, iron mill, Jim McIntosh, Lake Shore Fire District, Ontario Beach Park, Port of Rochester/Charlotte, Quinnesee Iron Mining Co., Rochester, Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), Rochester NY, slag, steel mill
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 19 Comments »
Inside the Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium
Monday, June 10th, 2013![The abandoned Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium. [PHOTO: Sarah Barnes]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-tuberculosis-sanatorium-001.jpg)
The following photographs were submitted by Sarah Barnes. The historical text is taken from a Historic Resource Evaluation prepared for Monroe County in 2000 by Bero Associates.
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RocSubway fans, This past Sunday morning (6/2/13), I went with a friend of mine to check out the Iola Campus site . I have lived in Rochester all my life and I have always been intrigued by those buildings (my aunt actually used to live in the apartments across the street). About 6 months ago, I started a little urban exploring group with some friends and coworkers; Iola was one of the first places of interest. With the CityGate project fast approaching, I knew I had to take the risk and visit Iola while I still could. Rather than taking a big group, just two of us went since we were not sure what the security situation would be like. The whole campus was great. A lot of the buildings had pretty easy access points, but there were a couple we could not get in to, due to time constraints (and proximity to the main road!). I hope that you all enjoy the shots! – Sarah Barnes
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, Charles F. Crandall, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, East Henrietta Road, historic preservation, Horace T. Hatton, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Monroe Community Hospital, Monroe County, preservation, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Sarah Barnes, Siegmund Firestone, urban development, urban exploration, urban explorers, Westfall Road
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 58 Comments »
30 Months at Midtown
Friday, June 7th, 2013![Midtown Plaza site, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Earthcam.com Archives]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-midtown-plaza-01.jpg)
The photo above was taken in January, 2011. Late last year we looked at the plans for the new public spaces at Midtown Plaza. Work on the site is now progressing quickly – and those plan drawings are becoming reality. The old Midtown buildings are gone. The new Windstream building is mostly complete. And this week, the first street curbs have been installed giving shape to the new Cortland Street. Here’s a birds-eye view of the past 30 months progress…
Tags: construction, Cortland Street, demolition, downtown Rochester, Midtown Plaza, Midtown Tower, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY, rochester photos, time-lapse, Windstream
Posted in Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 3 Comments »
Lincoln Tower… Through 1970, and beyond.
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013![The Lincoln First Tower, now called Chase Tower was completed in the summer of 1972 at a cost of $20 million. It is 398 feet tall. [Looking North. Stone St. is on the left, and Broad St. on the bottom]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-chase-tower-04.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Jimmy Combs.
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In 1970 a Lincoln Rochester Trust Co. advertisement in the Daily Record hailed, “Lincoln Tower… a tangible expression of our belief in the growth of Upstate New York… Through 1970 and beyond.”
The Lincoln First Tower, now called Chase Tower was completed in the summer of 1972 at a cost of $20 million. It is 398 feet tall. It contains about 356,000 square feet of office space. It is a big building. Just like the Xerox Tower, Chase Tower has roots in Seattle. John Graham and Company is an architecture firm based in Seattle…
Tags: 4th Ward Theater District, Chase Tower, Clinton Avenue, Clinton Square, Colonial Theatre, Daily Record, Genesee Crossroads South Urban Renewal Project, John Graham, John Graham and Company, Lincoln Alliance Building, Lincoln First Tower, Lincoln Rochester Trust Co., Lyceum Theatre, Main Street, Midtown Plaza, Seattle, Sibley's Department Store, Space Needle, Temple Theatre, Victoria Theatre, Xerox Square, Xerox Tower
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 34 Comments »
Bull’s Head: Reports of Its Death Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated
Sunday, June 2nd, 2013![Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull's Head that marks the historic Bull's Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-bullshead-stores-03.jpg)
Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull’s Head that marks the historic Bull’s Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. It is true this landmark has recently lost several important neighbors, but for now, the Bull in Bull’s Head is still with us…
Tags: Bull's Head, Bulls Head / B.E.S.T., Bullshead, Chili Avenue, Critic's Restaurant, Genesee Street, Joan Roby-Davison, John Curran, Rochester, Rochester neighborhoods, Rochester neighborhoods map, Rochester NY, West Main Street
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 18 Comments »
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