RochesterSubway.com has learned that Marvin Maye, owner of 660 W. Main Street, is making a renewed push to demolish the historic church. And one local theatre group has expressed interest in saving the building…
Battle Over Main Street Church Heating Up
September 15th, 2012Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
Tags: 660 W. Main Street, Bread & Water Theatre, church, City of Rochester, Dawn Noto, demolition, Designated Building of Historic Value, Dollar General, J.R. Teeter, Main Street, Marvin Maye, New York State Historic Preservation Office, Rochester, Rochester NY, Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood, Westminster Presbyterian Church, zoning
Today, September 14, in Rochester History: The Seneca Hotel Opens
September 14th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 14 Comments »
![The Seneca Hotel, 26 S. Clinton Avenue, south of E. Main Street on the east side of the street. The stores in front, left to right, are Laurabelle's Greeting Cards, Ringclear Hosery Co., and Rochester Cleaning & Dyeing Co. [PHOTO: Rochester Municiple Archives]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-seneca-hotel-front.jpg)
On September 14, 1908 a new 300 room hotel with ballroom, several dining rooms and meeting rooms opened its doors – right smack on the same spot where Windstream (Paetec) is constructing its new building today.
The following article was published in the New York Times on Monday September 14, 1908…
Tags: Albert R. Stone, B. Foreman Co. Department Store, Century Theatre, Clinton Ave, Clinton Avenue, Hearth and Embers Restaurant, Hotel Seneca, Lyceum Theatre, Main & Clinton, Manger Hotel, McCurdy's Department Store, Midtown Plaza, old photos, old photos of Rochester, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Sibley's Department Store, South Clinton Avenue, Temple Theatre, this date in Rochester history, Wegman's
Take What You Need or Thoughtless Prank? You Decide.
September 11th, 2012Posted in Freebies, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
![A flyer in a downtown parking garage selling Love, Peace, and Happiness? But no number to call. Dammit! [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/take-what-you-need-flyer.jpg)
Yesterday I was having my typical kind of crappy Monday when this flyer caught my attention in a downtown parking garage. It was selling things like Love, Peace, and Happiness. I smiled and thought to myself, “No way! How can this be? I need me some of that.” But when I moved in closer I noticed there was no name or number to call. “GODDAMMIT!!” I was pissed off again.
I swear I will find the evil-doer responsible for this and bring them to justice.
Tags: downtown Rochester, flyer, guerilla advertising, parking garage, poster, Rochester, Rochester NY, Take What You Need
A Classic Rochester Souvenir?
September 10th, 2012Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Video | 11 Comments »
![Do you know what this is? Hint, it's not what you're thinking. You dirtbag. [PHOTO: Moldville.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-clock-of-nations-mold-1.jpg)
Imagine it’s 1965 and your parents bring you to the big city of Rochester, New York to take in the sights and do some shopping in the world’s first indoor urban shopping mall, Midtown Plaza 
. It’s thrilling! All the people! The lights! The sounds! The experience is setting off fireworks in your little 6 year-old brain. What better way to remember this extraordinary day from your childhood than with a warm, six-inch high… fleshy colored…… What the #&@! is this?
Tags: Clock of Nations, Golisano Children's Hospital, Greater Rochester International Airport, injection molding machine, Midtown Plaza, Mold-A-Rama, plastic souvenir, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester souvenir
High Falls Smoke Stack Will Go Before Winter
September 8th, 2012Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
![The end is near for the iconic High Falls smoke stack. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/high-falls-smoke-stack.jpg)
In February we heard rumors that the iconic High Falls smoke stack might be coming down. Yesterday I noticed scaffolding going up around the structure. Today I learned the stack will be completely demolished, probably before winter…
Tags: Cataract Brewery, demolition, GardenAerial, Gorsline Building, green energy, Greentopia Festival, High Falls, High Falls Business Association, Michael Philipson, North American Breweries, RG&E Beebee Station, Rochester, Rochester NY, smokestacks, vertical windmill, wind power, windmill
Greentopia
September 5th, 2012Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | 3 Comments »
![The Greentopia Festival is coming once again to High Falls. Greentopia reminds us that we've only got one planet, and we're all in this together. [PHOTO: Twitter.com/greentopiafest]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-high-falls-one-human-family.jpg)
I’ve been keeping a close eye on these people who call themselves “green.” My wife is one of them. She forces me to do things like wash poop-filled diapers and collect rainwater off the roof of my garage. Recently I even started carrying my nacho chips to work with me in a cloth/velcro baggie instead plastic. She sold me one of these sustainable lunch baggies for five bucks. What’s this world coming to?
Actually, I kind of like this green tidal wave of change. It’s certainly made me think about leaving the world a little better for my kids. But I also like it because it’s created a whole new economy in which our region is positioning itself to capitalize in a big way. That’s not just hype. Like Rochester’s great Industrial Expositions of the early 1900’s, the Greentopia Festival will give Rochesterians a unique look at our future; and some good reasons to celebrate.
Tags: GardenAerial, Greentopia Festival, High Falls, Michael Philipson, Rochester, Rochester NY, sustainability
Snapshots of Rochester’s Labor Days
September 2nd, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 6 Comments »
![Six unidentified female railroad workers pose at Lincoln Park Station. The railroad line is the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway Company. In 1917-1918, many jobs traditionally held by men were filled by women, while the men served in the Armed Services in World War I. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-woman-railroad-workers-c1917.jpg)
“I believe when we’re born into this world we’re entrusted with certain things. Our grandparents trust that we’ll work hard to keep and maintain the world that they’ve broken themselves to build. And our children need us to preserve it, and leave it a little bit better than how we inherited it. Preservation is often difficult. But in many ways it’s all we have to keep us grounded; as a society and as people. Future generations need to know what came before them. What was it that made this city great? Who designed and built this place? Who worked here and why? If we destroy the evidence, we cut our children off from the answers forever; and impede our own ability to progress.”
These are words I live by. They’re also the reason I keep this web site. While my family and I are enjoying this sunny Labor Day weekend on the shores of Lake Ontario, I’ll take pause to think about why we have it so damn good in this time and place. For me, the answer can be found in the portraits that follow. These are some of the men, woman, and even children who labored to make the way of life we enjoy today…
Tags: Adler Bros., Bert Bitting, Buffalo Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad, East Rochester, Eastman Kodak, Egypt Canning Co., Egypt NY, factory workers, Four Corners, Garment Workers Strike, Hanna's Dryhouse, Hilton NY, history of Rochester, Jerry Kellerer, Kodak, Labor Day, Main Street Four Corners, Merchants' Despatch Transportation Co., Michael Stern Building, old photos, old photos of Rochester, Rochester, Rochester Association of Workers for the Blind, Rochester Brewery Union Members, Rochester history, Rochester Industrial Exposition, Rochester Labor Day Parade, Rochester NY, Rochester Shoe Workers Union, Rochester water supply system, Silver Platers and Metal Polishers Union, strikebreaker, Womans Union Label League
New Maps of Rochester’s Neighborhoods
August 27th, 2012Posted in Rochester Gifts, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News | No Comments »
![Rochester Neighborhoods Map [BY: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-neighborhoods-map.jpg)
Now you can admire your hometown of Rochester, NY and the diversity of its many communities without ever putting on a pair of pants.* Introducing two awesome new posters depicting the neighborhoods of Rochester…
Tags: 14621, 19th Ward, Alexander, Beechwood, Brown Square, Browncroft, Bulls Head / B.E.S.T., Cascade District, Charlotte, Cobbs Hill, Corn Hill, downtown Rochester, Dutchtown, East Avenue, East End, Edgerton, Ellwanger-Barry, Four Corners, Genesee-Jefferson / S.W.A.N., Grove Place, High Falls, Highland, Homestead Heights, J.O.S.A.N.A., Lincoln Park / U.N.I.T., Lyell-Otis, Main & Clinton, Manhattan Square, Maplewood, Mayor's Heights / C.O.T.S., Monroe Village, Neighborhood of the Arts, neighborhoods, North Marketview Heights, North Winton, Northland-Lyceum, Park Avenue, Plymouth-Exchange, Rochester, Rochester neighborhoods, Rochester New York, Rochester NY, Saint Joseph's, Saint Paul Quarter, South Marketview Heights, South Wedge, Strong-Mt. Hope, Susan B. Anthony, Swillburg, Upper Falls, Upper Monroe, Wadsworth Square, Washington Square
RGRTA Digs Up Rochester’s Old RKO Palace Theater
August 23rd, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 101 Comments »
There are few places Rochesterians talk about with such fondness as the old RKO Palace Theater that once stood on Clinton Avenue. Looking at old pictures, I can see why. The place was all dressed up and sparkled inside and out like a glitzy Vegas showgirl. But like many of Rochester’s brick and mortar beauties, she grew old, was chopped up into little pieces, and buried where she stood. All in the name of “urban renewal.” Fast forward fifty years. RGRTA breaks ground on a new bus terminal. And guess what shows up? That’s right – the skeleton of Rochester’s most beautiful movie theater…
Tags: bus terminal, Clinton Avenue, demolition, downtown Rochester, old movie theater, old photos, old photos of Rochester, old theater, Regional Transit Service (RTS), RKO Palace Theater, Rochester, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), rochester images, Rochester NY, Rochester Theater Organ Society, RTS Transit Terminal, Saint Paul Street, urban explorers, urban renewal
Rochester Police Department Draws Fire at Council Meeting
August 22nd, 2012Posted in Rochester News, Video | 3 Comments »
I attended last night’s City Council meeting to speak in opposition to proposed changes to Rochester’s Zoning Code. About 5 or 6 people spoke against the changes. No vote was taken on that issue this time around. So we’ll wait and see if the Mayor makes changes to his changes, or if Council will vote at a later date. In the meantime, the other HOT topic in Council’s chambers this night was community relations with the Rochester Police Department.
Police Chief Sheppard was in attendance, as was Mayor Richards to acknowledge the service of several 9-1-1 dispatchers and a RPD officer who were retiring. And during the 1-hour “Speak to Council” session where the public has a chance to speak on any topic of concern, at least 8 to 10 individuals called into question the actions and practices of the RPD – including one guy wearing an infamous mask for dramatic effect…
Tags: Alex White, anonymous mask, Emily Good, Occupy Rochester, protest, Richard Yaniak, Rochester, Rochester City Council, Rochester NY, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Police Department Points System, V for Vendetta
The Burned-Over District; Sacred Sites of Western New York
August 20th, 2012Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 4 Comments »
![A stained glass window in Rochester's Saint Michael's Church, Rochester NY. [IMAGE: www.exploringtheburnedoverdistrict.wordpress.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/saint-michaels-church-stained-glass-rochester.jpg)
The following is a guest post by Luke & Chris,
Exploring the Burned Over District Blog .
Submit your story today.
One evening sometime during the fall of 2011, my friend Chris and I were sitting around complaining about the ways of the world. The conversation eventually turned towards discussing how despite both of us having been born and raised in Rochester, NY, how neither one of us had ever bothered to visit any of the “cool looking” spiritual places of worship in the area, like St. Michael’s Church or St. Stanislaus Church…
Tags: Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Buffalo NY, Burned Over District, Church of Scientology, Hindu Temple of Rochester, John Humphrey Noyes, Lewiston NY, Luke Myer, religion, Rochester, Rochester NY, Second Great Awakening, St. Michael’s Church, The Oneida Community
Sample the First 100 Years of Music in Rochester
August 12th, 2012Posted in Rochester History | No Comments »
![A Sibleyd's department store window display featuring a mannequin seated at a piano, a second piano, a saxophone and an accordion. (1940). [IMAGE: Rochester Public Library]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-sibleys-window-instruments.jpg)
The Atlantic Cities blog recently posted a map of U.S. cities with the highest concentration of musicians per capita. It probably surprised many people to see that Rochester ranked #9, immediately behind cities like Las Vegas, Portland, and New Orleans. But Rochester has a long history of music making. Remember Cab Calloway, Chuck Mangione, Eastman School of Music, the House of Guitars… We even have our own Rockin Rochester U.S.A. surf tune. Amazing!
Tags: Cab Calloway, Chuck Mangione, East Rochester, Eastman School of Music, Edgar Sherwood, Florence Newell Barbour, George Gross, Goodwill, Henry Russell, House of Guitars (HOG), Irving Berlin, Kendrick Shedd, music, Percy Grainger, R. Nathaniel Dett, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sergei Rachmaninoff
RochesterSubway.com for Best Local Blog of 2012
August 4th, 2012Posted in Opinion, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
![Vote RochesterSubway.com for City Newspaper's 'Best of 2012' ...the only blog for fans of Selleck, sandwiches, waterfalls and Rochester NY. [IMAGE INSPIRED BY: The Selleck Waterfall Sandwich Blog]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/selleck-sandwiches-and-rochester-ny.jpg)
There is literally a blog for everything. Don’t believe me? Pick three completely random things… let’s say… Tom Selleck, waterfalls and sandwiches. YES, there’s a blog for that . But what if you’re a fan of Tom Selleck, waterfalls, sandwiches, and Rochester NY? Thankfully, there’s RochesterSubway.com.
If you’ve enjoyed flipping thru these pages with me over the past 12 months or longer, why not show your support by voting for RochesterSubway.com in the CITY Newspaper’s Best Of Rochester 2012 Reader’s Poll ? (Vote “RochesterSubway.com for line #66: “Best Blog”)
And if you’re a newcomer to the Subway (or you’re just nostalgic like me), let’s take a look back at the most popular stories we dug up over the past 12 months…
Tags: best blog, Best of Rochester, blog, Rochester, Rochester City Newspaper, Rochester NY, rochestersubway.com, subway blog, Tom Selleck
Mayor Richards Launches a Full Scale Assault on Preservation
July 30th, 2012Posted in Rochester News | 10 Comments »
It had been assumed among some preservationists that Mayor Thomas Richards was directly responsible for pressuring the Zoning Board and Planning Commission prior to their respective votes to allow the demolition of the historic Cataract Brewhouse. That was the unofficial word coming from people inside City Hall, and it’s no secret that big business executive types like to stick together. Now, after the dust from that battle over preservation has finally settled, and the rubble has been cleared away, the Mayor is affirming those assumptions and declaring all out war on preservation.
Tags: Cataract Brewery, city council, demolition, Marcia Barry, Mayor Thomas Richards, preservation, zoning
Blink. You missed it.
July 28th, 2012Posted in Events, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
It’s no secret. We all love a good implosion. So like any good citizen I woke up early (9:45am) and made my way over (and around police barricades) to the wrecking site so’s I could shoot some video of this one. I should apologize for the quality, however. With all the local streets closed off to traffic and officials encouraging people not to come out, this was the best location I could find. But you’ll get the idea. It’s an implosion. Wooo hoooo. Roll the video…
Tags: building implosion, demolition, Heritage Tower, implosion, Irondequoit, Rochester, Rochester NY, St. Ann's Community
A Race Riot in Fairport?
July 24th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 12 Comments »
Today marks the 48th anniversary of Rochester’s 1964 “Race Riot” . While doing a little research on the 1964 riot I stumbled upon a completely different (and lesser known) incident. This one could also be called a “race riot” and it occurred 44 years earlier, on the streets of Fairport, NY.
Tags: civil rights, Deputy Clarke L. Burlingame, Deputy Sheriff George Brasser, Fairport, Fairport riot, Jack "Cutie" Kauffman, James Noey, Joseph Avenue, race in Rochester NY, riot, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Rochester riot
Susan B. Anthony Neighbors Unite to Save Old Main Street Church
July 18th, 2012Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 6 Comments »
Dawn Noto, President of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association says this section of the city is in the early stages of a renaissance. But the turn around of West Main and the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood isn’t happening by accident. Years of planning, community involvement, public and private investment, and careful preservation of valuable historic assets have been key factors. Noto knows this progress is fragile. That with one short sighted development decision, years of work could begin to unravel.
Tags: 660 W. Main Street, Bret Garwood, Caitlin Meives, City of Rochester, Dawn Noto, demolition, Dollar General, Landmark Society of Western New York, Main Street, Marvin Maye, Rochester, Rochester NY, Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood, Westminster Presbyterian Church, zoning
Off the Beaten Path: Rochester’s Beach Avenue
July 16th, 2012Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 9 Comments »
With all of this amazing summer weather lately, I’ve taken the opportunity to enjoy some long bike rides up and down the lower Genesee River Gorge. A few nights ago I made my way all the way up to the beach at Charlotte via Lake Ave and took the bendy turn onto Beach Avenue. Not too far beyond the Ontario Beach Pavilion I noticed the sidewalk diverges from the street, making a rather abrupt turn between some very handsome looking beachside homes. So, I followed it. And I left the city of Rochester far, far behind…
Tags: architecture, Beach Avenue, Charlotte Beach, hidden sidewalk, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, secret sidewalk
Genesee/North American Brewery Demolition. Photos by Rick U.
July 12th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
![Genesee Brewery, demolition of historic Cataract Brewhouse. [PHOTO: Rick U.- RocPx.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-brewery-demolition-00.jpg)
I received a message yesterday from a RocSubway reader named Rick U. Rick wanted to share some of his images from Genesee Brewery’s (aka North American Brewery’s) demolition of the once historic Cataract Brewhouse. By now I’ve seen just about all I can stomach of this disaster. I mean, this is how we create jobs in Rochester? Building parking lots on historic buildings? BUT, putting all that aside, this series of images is quite exceptional. And these are just a sampling from a MUCH larger album which I’ve linked to at the bottom of this gallery. Take a look…
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Cataract Street, demolition, downtown Rochester, Genesee Brewery, North American Breweries, photography, Rick U., Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY
Rochester, New York Jigsaw Puzzle
July 10th, 2012Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History | 9 Comments »
I love collecting fun little bits of Rochester history. So a few years ago I bought this Rochester jigsaw puzzle on eBay. Well somehow it slipped behind my sofa and I just recently found it again. It’s like Christmas in July!
Entirely hand drawn, this 513 piece puzzle is jammed with local landmarks, businesses, and fun historic facts. Now I realize I’m a total geek-dork, but I could stare at this thing for days picking stuff out—it’s THAT much fun…
Tags: Cinema Theater, Col. Nathaniel Rochester, Colgate Divinity School, downtown Rochester, Eastman Theater, Ebenezer 'Indian' Allan, Frederick Douglass, George Eastman, German House, High Falls, Hiram Sibley, I-490, Irondequoit, Jonathan Child, Kodak Tower, Liberty Pole, Monroe High School, Punch's Nuts, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market, Sam Patch, Seneca Park Zoo, Silver Stadium, Susan B. Anthony, Toronto, WXXI
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