![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. [PHOTO: 'Rochester's Lakeside Resorts and Amusement Parks' by Donovan Schilling]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/glen-house-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
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…
Archive: ‘Urban Exploration’...
The Glen House – Rochester’s First Water-side Retreat
Monday, April 27th, 2015Tags: 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
Posted in Architecture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 10 Comments »
Inside Rochester’s Deep Rock Tunnel Network
Saturday, April 11th, 2015![Let's explore Rochester's deep rock sewer tunnels! [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/csoap-deep-rock-sewer-tunnel-rochester-00.jpg)
A few weeks ago we took you on a trip to Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility to see where Rochester’s dirty water goes to get cleaned up. It was there that we learned of an extensive deep rock tunnel system that that captures major storm runoff until it can be treated. Known as the Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program, or CSOAP, this system saves over 1 billion gallons of sewage from overflowing into the Genesee River and Irondequoit Bay each year.
More importantly, this means there are 30 miles of giant smelly tunnels beneath our city just waiting to be explored! Come on let’s go…
Tags: Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program (CSOAP), I-590, infrastructure, Irondequoit, Irondequoit Bay, Lyceum Street, Monroe County Pure Waters, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, sewer, sewer tunnel, tunnel, underground, urban exploration
Posted in Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 29 Comments »
Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility Tour
Monday, March 30th, 2015![Grab your nose plugs. Today we're going inside Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/van-lare-water-treatment-plant-rochester-00.jpg)
Joe Henderson (34) was an earth science teacher at Rush Henrietta Central School District before graduating last year from University of Rochester with a Ph.D. in Education – with a focus on environmental education. Joe has taken many 8th graders on field trips to Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility 
. And today, he’s arranged to bring all of you, RocSubway friends…
Tags: Bill Putt, chlorine solution, Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program (CSOAP), Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Plant, gravity thickener, infrastructure, Josephine Guarino, Lake Ontario, Mill Seat Land Fill, Monroe County, Monroe County Pure Waters, Monroe County Water Authority, Rochester, Rochester NY, sewage, sewer, sludge, sludge cake, sodium hypochlorite, urban exploration, water treatment
Posted in Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 16 Comments »
Return to Sykes
Thursday, March 12th, 2015![Abandoned Sykes Datatronics building on Orchard Street. Demolition work has been going on since the fall. [PHOTO: Anonymous]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/return-to-abandoned-sykes-datatronics-building-04.jpg)
About a year and a half ago we shared some photos from inside the abandoned Sykes Datatronics building on Orchard Street (south of Lyell Ave). That building was part of a complex that was home to many different companies from 1915 until Sykes Datatronics (a computer company) left in 1992. Demolition crews have been slowly deconstructing the property since the fall…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, building collapse, City of Rochester, Delco Appliance, demolition, Lyell Avenue, Northeast Electric Company, Orchard Street, Riley Park, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Sahlen’s Stadium, Sykes Datatronics, Whitney Street
Posted in Architecture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 8 Comments »
From the Ashes of Carnegie Place
Monday, February 2nd, 2015![Last week, Carnegie Place was largely destroyed by fire. [PHOTO: PuddleJumper Photography]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-carnegie-building-fire-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Puddlejumper Photography.
Submit your story today.
Last week, Carnegie Place was largely destroyed by fire. Its life spanned some of the most crucial and drastically changing times in Rochester’s history. I had a chance to stop by after the fire and take some photographs of a building I have always enjoyed; in a part of town that was vibrant and still is the heart of the arts movement in Rochester…
Tags: Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie building, Carnegie Place, Champion clothing, Champion Products Inc., demolition, fire, George Eastman, Goodman Street, history of Rochester, Memorial Art Gallery, Neighborhood of the Arts, NotA, Prince Street, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY, rochester photos, University Avenue, University of Rochester, University of Rochester women's college, UofR
Posted in Architecture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 16 Comments »
The Mystery of the Stone (Benvenuto) Lions
Sunday, January 11th, 2015![Here's hoping maybe YOU can help us solve the case of the stone lions. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/benvenuto-stone-lions-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
Last summer Rochester developer and restauranteur, John Tachin called up RocSubway with a history mystery for us to solve. After four months of digging, we came up empty. But here’s hoping maybe YOU can help us solve the case of the stone lions.
Cue the Pink Panther Theme Song , this one’s a doozy…
Tags: Benvenuto Brothers, Benvenuto Wrecking Company, corbel, demolition, John Tachin, Lake Avenue, lintel, lion head, local history, mystery, Rochester history, stone lion, urban renewal
Posted in Architecture, Art + Culture, Rochester History, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 33 Comments »
Big Wheel Keep On Turning
Tuesday, January 6th, 2015![The triphammer water wheel in High Falls, Rochester NY being removed from its housing so it can be restored. [PHOTO: Tom Dubois]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-high-falls-triphammer-water-wheel-01.jpg)
Sorry for the Tina Turner reference… it was all I could think of to describe the enormity of this big wheel. I’m talking 25 foot and 12 tons just under 20 ton*!! Um, ok so who are these hooded dudes, and just where do they think they’re going with our giant wheel? These strange photos were taken late Tuesday afternoon by Tom Dubois and Peter Simpson…
Tags: Ben Kendig, Browns Race, Center at High Falls, High Falls, Mill Street, Peter Simpson, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Tom Dubois, Triphammer Forge, Triphammer Mill
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 7 Comments »
Wear to Where #1 . . . . . . The Inner Loop
Sunday, November 30th, 2014![Emma Rusa in the Inner Loop: outfit by Thread; handbag by Carrie George. [PHOTO: Clarke Condé]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-inner-loop-01.jpg)
By Clarke Condé
Welcome to the first in a new series blending geography and fashion with a focus on this place we call Rochester. We are fortunate to have host of boutiques and makers that bring a homegrown sense of Rust Belt chic to the varied spaces here. This series is an exploration of those spaces, many of which would otherwise not even get a second glance…
Tags: Carrie George, Clarke Conde, clothing, Emma Rusa, fashion, Inner Loop, Rochester, Rochester fashion, Rochester NY, Rust Belt chic, Thread, urban exploration, Wear to Where
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 5 Comments »
Amazing! Virtual Tour of Rochester Subway on Google Street View
Friday, November 7th, 2014![A local photographer has begun capturing the abandoned Rochester subway for viewing on Google Street View. [PHOTO: Mark Goho]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-virtual-tour-01.jpg)
Okay urban explorers and subway fans, lay down some newspaper and get ready to have your minds blown. A local photographer, Mark Goho, has made it his mission to capture 360º panoramas of Rochester parks to share with the world on Google Views. Mark’s latest project took him deep underground and, with a few clicks of a camera and mouse, he has given the general public unfettered access into the abandoned Rochester subway…
Tags: abandoned places, abandoned subway, Broad Street, Google, Graffiti, Mark Goho, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester panorama, rochester photos, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway photos, Rochester Subway tunnel, street art, subway tunnel, urban exploration
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester Subway, Train/Railroad Stuff, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 14 Comments »
Celebrate Park(ing) Day 2014 at the “Inner Loop Country Club”
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014
Have you ever wanted to DO something with all of that (generally) unused street parking in Rochester? Have you ever wanted to show people that we could have livelier streets with a few less cars and a few more amenities? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it’s time to learn about Park(ing) Day. The event’s website is at www.parkingday.org but in case you want the elevator pitch instead, Park(ing) Day is an event that has been going on for over a decade around the world to bring attention to the positive impact on livability that on-street parking can have when reimagined as something other than car storage. And this is where our story starts…
Tags: Inner Loop Country Club, miniature golf, Park(ing) Day, Smugtown Open
Posted in Events, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 2 Comments »
Abandoned Girl Scout Camp Beech-Wood
Monday, July 21st, 2014![Beechwood Park in Sodus, NY is a former Girl Scouts of America summer camp. The property has been left as it was abandoned in 1996. [PHOTO: Chris Clemens and Luke Myer]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-abandoned-camp-beechwood-01.jpg)
My buddies Chris Clemens and Luke Myer (from the Burned Over District blog) recently shared these photos with me. Chris and Luke were on their way to Sodus on an unrelated exploration trip when they recalled stories of a nearby abandoned Girl Scout camp and decided to stop and check it out [map ].
Luke says his mother camped here when she was a little girl. In fact, many Girl Scouts earned a badge or two here over its 60+ year history. This was camp Beech-Wood and the following is an excerpt from NYfalls.com about its history…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, abandoned swimming pool, Beechwood State Park, camp site, Chris Clemens, Girl Scouts camp, Girl Scouts of America, Luke Myer, photography, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Sodus, urban exploration
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 29 Comments »
You Can Play the Bells of Rush Rhees Library
Thursday, June 12th, 2014![The carillon inside University of Rochester's Rush Rhees Library tower. [PHOTO: University of Rochester Carillon Society]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/university-of-rochester-rush-rhees-carillon-01.jpg)
A year ago RochesterSubway.com took you UP inside Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester. The views from that tower are spectacular – but it’s the 6,668 pounds of bronze bells inside that are truly awe inspiring.
The bells are actually part of a massive musical instrument called a Carillon. And now, if you’ve got experience playing a keyboard, you may have a shot to go to the top of Rush Rhees and play the carillon yourself. Doris Aman of the University of Rochester Carillon Society sent in the following one-time offer…
Tags: carillon, Doris Aman, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, University of Rochester Carillon Society, UofR, urban exploration
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 4 Comments »
Rochester’s Mercury Statue, Up Close and Personal
Thursday, May 29th, 2014![Statue of Mercury. Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Wes Plant]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-mercury-statue-renovation-2011-40.jpg)
On Facebook last week I shared an old photo of Rochester’s iconic Mercury statue as it was being removed from its original perch atop the Kimball Tobacco Factory in 1951. The factory was demolished to make way for the War Memorial and the statue sat in storage until the Lawyers Cooperative (Aqueduct Building) became his new home in 1973.
Fast forward to June 2011; the 21 foot tall, 700 pound statue gets a thorough inspection for signs of wear and a good restoration. The following photos were taken by Wes Plant during that checkup. And they show Mercury in detail you’ve probably never seen before…
Tags: aerial photography, Aqueduct Building, Blue Cross Arena, Cluett-Peabody & Company, downtown Rochester, J. Guernsey Mitchell, John Siddons Co., Kimball Tobacco Factory, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company, Mercury statue, public art, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Statue of Mercury, War Memorial, War Memorial Arena, William Kimball
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 22 Comments »
Anonymous Photos: Inside Midtown Tower
Sunday, March 9th, 2014
The latest Midtown renderings from Buckingham Properties are a promising sign of things to come. Still, it’s difficult to ignore this 18-story skeleton which has been looming over Rochester’s streets since 2011. When most people look up at this hulking mass of steel and concrete they see a blemish on the Rochester skyline. But for one urban explorer, this is a photo op.
The same anonymous photographer who took us inside Terrence Tower and the Sykes Datatronics building, climbed to the tippy top of midtown last week. He submitted this collection of photos and the following narrative…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, aerial photography, Buckingham Properties, construction, downtown, downtown Rochester, Midtown, Midtown Plaza, Midtown Tower, photo, photography, Rochester, Rochester NY, rochester photos, skyscraper, urban development, urban exploration
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 7 Comments »
Into the Incinerator
Monday, March 3rd, 2014![The Garbage Incinerator at High Falls, Rochester. [PHOTO: Robert Cunningham]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-garbage-incinerator-plant-00.jpg)
Last week we looked at some photos of the Beebee Station power plant at High Falls. That post drew some comments about another interesting facility nearby which is sometimes confused with Beebee; the City’s old garbage incinerator plant on Falls Street .
Thanks to a group of intrepid urban explorers—Benjamin Colburn , Brandon Davis , Sean Galbraith , Andrew Hiltz , and Tom Maszerowski —we can take a look inside…
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, Andrew Hiltz, Benjamin Colburn, Brandon Davis, Falls Street, garbage, garbage incinerator, Genesee River, Genesee River Gorge, High Falls, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sean Galbraith, smokestacks, Tom Maszerowski, trash, trash incinerator, urban exploration, urban explorers, waste disposal
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 14 Comments »
Rochester’s Lakeshore Drive-in Theatre May Get New Life
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014![The marquee sign at the former Lakeshore Drive-in Theatre in Greece, NY. [PHOTO: NewYorkDriveIns.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-lakeshore-drive-in-movie-theater-marquee.jpg)
Last month RocSubway Facebook fans brought us rumors of a new grocery store for downtown Rochester (those rumors turned out to be true). Now comes an equally exciting rumor from RocSubway that has also checked out. John Tachin, owner of Mr. Dominic’s restaurant in Charlotte has purchased the former Lakeshore Drive-In site and is considering plans to reopen it as a drive in movie theater…
Tags: Avon NY, Charlotte, Dominic Pane, Greece, Jetset Development Inc., John Tachin, Lakeshore Drive-in Theatre, Ling Road, Mr. Dominic's, Mr. Dominic's at the Lake, old movie theater, Port of Rochester/Charlotte, Rochester, Rochester NY, Vintage Drive In
Posted in Interviews, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 21 Comments »
13 Rochesterians
Monday, December 16th, 2013![13 Rochesterians [PHOTOS BY: Arlene Hodge]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/13-homeless-rochesterians.jpg)
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each… 13x13x13. At some point during the project I decided it’d be much more interesting to open this assignment to anyone who wants to participate. I’m glad I did. The following series of 13 comes from local photographer Arleen Hodge . These are portraits of 13 Rochesterians she’s met on the streets. Arleen says she is grateful to call these people her “friends.”
“They all have stories and they are truly a great bunch of men who are suffering another facet of the human condition,” Arleen reasons. “When I’m shooting underground for a night, these guys look out for me. There are those who are quick to judge… but these would be the guys to jump in and save your life.”
I can think of no better subject for this merry time of year – and less than a week after we were forced to face the facts; that Rochester stands as the fifth poorest city in the United States. It’s not just a city problem. According to that report by The Rochester Area Community Foundation, 160,000 people living within the nine-county region are living in poverty. These are our neighbors. Our friends. These could easily be portraits of you or me…
Tags: 13, 13 Rochesterians, 13x13x13, Arleen Hodge, homeless, House of Mercy, Hudson Avenue, Joseph Avenue, photographer, photography, poverty, Rochester, Rochester charities, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Saint Joe's House of Hospitality, South Avenue
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 7 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 »
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 »
Bike Rochester: El Camino and Route 390 Trails
Sunday, October 20th, 2013![The fifth and final part of Ryan Green's Bike Rochester Series... the El Camino and Route 390 Trails! [PHOTO: Ryan Green]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rg-bike-rochester-el-camino-and-route-390-trails-014.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Ryan Green.
Submit your story today.
This is the final part of my series on Rochester’s plethora of trails! However, there are still many which I haven’t covered. For a more complete list and description of trails in the region, check out Rochester Trails . If you haven’t, check out the past segments we have covered: Downtown to Fairport , Lake Ontario , Brockport , and the Genesee Valley Greenway and Lehigh Valley Trail loop .
This final part serves to tie up some loose ends, and to showcase additional trail options and connections in the region. Here, we will go on an alternative route North to the lake, this time on the east side of the river gorge, and check out the parkway and Route 390 trails, which provide us with additional connections. [View this route in Google Earth using this .KMZ file]
Tags: Basil Marella Park, bicycle path, bike path, Butterhole Seneca Park Trail, City of Rochester, Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge, downtown Rochester, El Camino Trail, Erie Canal, Erie Canalway Trail, Genesee Greenway Trail, Genesee River, Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Valley Park, Greece, Greece Canal Landing Business Park, I-390, Irondequoit, Island Cottage Road, Janes Road, Lake Avenue, Lake Ontario State Parkway, Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail, Latta Road, Long Pond Road, Rochester, Rochester NY, Route 390 Trail, Ryan Green, Saint Joseph Street, Saint Paul Boulevard, Saint Paul Street, Scrantom Street, Seneca Park, Seneca Park Avenue, Stutson Street, The Flats, Thomas Avenue, Van Voorhis Avenue, West Ridge Road
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Exploration | 5 Comments »
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