![Rochester Subway, Broad Street tunnel construction. c.1925. [IMAGE: Rochester Municipal Archives]](https://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…
Archive: ‘Rochester History’...
1920’s Photo of Rochester Subway Construction
Friday, December 6th, 2013Tags: Broad Street, Exchange Boulevard, Exchange Street, Fun Foto Friday, Genesee Valley Trust, history of Rochester, James Field Company, Osburn House, Rochester history, Rochester Subway, Times Square Building
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester Subway, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
Historic Rochester in 3D Stereoscope
Monday, November 25th, 2013![3D Stereogram of High Falls (c.1885) [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](https://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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 5 Comments »
Elusive Memories of Iola, Part 2
Friday, November 22nd, 2013![Children (patients) on the roof of Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium (c.1939). That's Marilyn Casserino in the center. [PHOTO COURTESY OF: Marilyn Murphree]](https://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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 19 Comments »
Deep Inside Rochester’s Big Old Sibley Building
Monday, November 18th, 2013![The Sibley Building, Rochester NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://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
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 122 Comments »
Elusive Memories of Iola
Friday, November 15th, 2013
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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 42 Comments »
University of Rochester’s Lost Swimming Pool Revisited
Tuesday, November 12th, 2013![The abandoned swimming pool at University of Rochester has been cleaned of its desk chairs. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 6 Comments »
Durand Eastman Park and the Lady In White
Friday, October 25th, 2013![Durand-Eastman Park, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://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 Lynn, Lady In White, Lady of the Lake, Lake Ontario, Rochester, Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, Rochester NY, Three Lakes Pavilion
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 55 Comments »
A Cinderella Story
Friday, October 18th, 2013![Meet Victor Jackson. October, 1918. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone]](https://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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 25 Comments »
Take the “Slow Road” Across New York
Wednesday, October 16th, 2013![Benjamin Woelk wants to produce a grassroots travel documentary series called 'Slow Road.' [PHOTO: Provided]](https://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
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Video | 4 Comments »
Confessions of an Urban Explorer: “Damn Conscience”
Wednesday, October 9th, 2013![The abandoned Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium. [PHOTO: Matt Rieck]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-tuberculosis-sanatorium-matt-rieck-01.jpg)
The following story and photos were submitted by Matt Rieck.
Submit your story today.
I stopped by Iola on Sunday to check on what’s left, and I snapped these pics. In front of the main building there was once a circle with concrete benches and lamp posts. To be perfectly honest I coveted the abandoned lamp posts and thought of ways I could possibly “reclaim” them, but my conscience always prevented me from doing so. Well, I should have because the picture above shows the careful attention the deconstruction crew is taking to features that could be re-used. That’s the base and the flattened steel post is above it. I think my reclamation would have been better than this treatment. Damn conscience.
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, East Henrietta Road, historic preservation, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Matt Rieck, Monroe Community Hospital, Monroe County, preservation, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, urban development, urban exploration, urban explorers, Westfall Road
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 17 Comments »
Rochester Subway Tours This Weekend
Friday, October 4th, 2013![A tour of Rochester's abandoned subway tunnel. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/abandoned_rochester_subway_05.jpg)
I often get asked if there are tours of the Rochester subway. The short answer is no. The longer answer is while there is no official tour of the “subway,” every October there is usually a tour of the “historic Erie Canal aqueduct.” And it’s coming up this weekend…
Tags: abandoned subway, abandoned subway tunnel, abandoned tunnel, Aqueduct Bridge, Broad Street Underground, Canal Society of New York State, downtown Rochester, Erie Canal Aqueduct, River Romance, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway tunnel, subway tour, urban exploration
Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Subway, Train/Railroad Stuff, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 5 Comments »
What Is This Strange Water Feature?
Friday, September 27th, 2013![I have seen these concrete triangles in the river before. But I had never noticed the spring water bubbling up. What is this strange water feature? [PHOTO: Michael Krauklis]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-river-triangle-rochester.jpg)
Last week a reader, Michael Krauklis, sent me this picture and asked two perplexing questions. Michael said, “I’ve worked downtown just next to the Broad Street bridge for 11 years now, and the entire time there has been a strange feature in the river just south of the bridge . Upon first glance it appears to be a spring, in the middle of the river, but with further inspection one can see the carcass of an old abandoned structure surrounding it… What was the original purpose of this and where is the water is coming from?”
I have seen these strange concrete triangles in the river myself, and I know there are more than one of them. But I had never noticed the spring water bubbling up! In either case, I had no good answer for Michael. So, I started digging. Here’s what I found out…
Tags: artesian spring, artesian well, Bill Chaisson, Broad Street, cofferdam, Court Street dam, downtown Rochester, Genesee River, old photos of Rochester, old photos of Rochester NY, Pat Welch, Rochester, Rochester NY, Tom Hack
Posted in Rochester History, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration, Video | 21 Comments »
Inside the Abandoned Sykes Datatronics Building
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
The following is a guest post submitted by an anonymous reader.
Submit your story today.
If you’ve ever driven down the eastern end of Lyell Ave., or been to a soccer game at Sahlen’s Stadium, you’ve probably seen an enormous old shell of a building looming in the distance. Many times I had seen it’s old edifice sitting silent and, as I usually do, I wondered what the walls contained, what stories it could tell, and what it once was. That’s why one cool September morning I went to meet with the building and see what it could tell me…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, City of Rochester, Delco Appliance, demolition, Lyell Avenue, Northeast Electric Company, Orchard Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Sahlen’s Stadium, Sykes Datatronics, Whitney Street
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 69 Comments »
Broad St. Underground: ANOTHER Proposal for the Abandoned Subway!
Monday, September 23rd, 2013![Lewis Childs, co-founder of Broad Street Underground, explains how Rochester's abandoned subway tunnel could be converted into commercial and retail space. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-broad-street-underground-01.jpg)
Rochester’s old subway tunnel hasn’t seen a passenger car come through here in nearly sixty years. But lately, redevelopment ideas are arriving with unbelievable frequency. A few weeks ago we were talking about the ROC Low Line; an underground park designed by a team of RIT students. This week, another local group has come forward with a different plan. And these guys want to take theirs beyond just an academic study. Stand clear of the yellow line folks – here comes the “Broad Street Underground” concept…
Tags: abandoned subway, adaptive reuse, aqueduct, Aqueduct Bridge, architecture, Broad Street Corridor Master Plan, Broad Street Underground, development plans, downtown Rochester, Lewis Childs, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway tunnel, underground mall, underground shopping, urban planning
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway Stories, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development, Video | 44 Comments »
Ehrmentraut Farm Bridge in the Town of Riga, NY
Wednesday, September 18th, 2013![The Ehrmentraut Farm Bridge is easily one of the oldest and most unique bridges in the entire United States. [PHOTO: Chris Clemens]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/ehrmentraut-farm-bridge-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Chris Clemens.
Submit your story today.
The Ehrmentraut Farm Bridge is easily one of the oldest and most unique bridges in the entire United States, and that kind of distinction is something that piques my interest. There isn’t exactly a ton of information out there on the internet about old bridges on private property, but I’ve managed to piece together its pretty cool history, and then went to check it out myself…
Tags: architecture, bridge, bridges, Brockport, Chris Clemens, Ehrmentraut Farm Bridge, Erie Canal, history of Rochester, New York State Barge Canal, Riga, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Squire Whipple, The Curious and Uncommon, Whipple Arch
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
Rochester Mafia, the Banana King, and the Infamous “Barrel Murder”
Monday, September 16th, 2013![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…
Tags: 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 »
Grave of Francis Tumblety
Wednesday, September 11th, 2013![Grave of Francis Tumblety at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. [PHOTO: Chris Clemens]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/francis-tumblety-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Chris Clemens.
Submit your story today.
Rochester has a number of famous people buried within its cemeteries, but Francis Tumblety (spelled: “Tumuelty” on the grave stone because Francis’ parents changed it) is probably one of the few infamous people to rest in peace, right in the historic Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on Lake Ave. Known for a number of his high profile arrests, Tumblety’s name has been cleared numerous times of various committed atrocities, but the stigma associated with his sordid lifestyle and relationships has managed to remain his legacy…
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Chris Clemens, Francis Tumblety, Hall Caine, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Jack The Ripper, Lake Avenue, Napolean Bonaparte, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History | No 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 »
The Rochester African-American Landmarks Project Needs Your Help
Monday, August 19th, 2013![African-American dancers among the performers at Bardos' Inn in Gates, N.Y. c1930-1935 [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/african-american-dancers-rochester-1930s.jpg)
The Landmark Society is reaching out to the Rochester community to gather facts, events, places, and stories that have been important in the lives of ordinary African-Americans in Rochester. We need your help with this important project…
Tags: African-American history, African-American landmarks, Austin Seward, Landmark Society of Western New York, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
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 »
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