![This was the Sibley Building office, and murder scene, of J. Frank O'Connor, a tailor merchant. A sewing machine and its table have been knocked over and lie in front of the radiator. The cutting table is at the right. A lower table, on the left, holds a bolt of fabric, a pressing board for sleeves, and an electric iron. A chair and a box of material sit in front of the lower table. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/sibley-murder-scene-3.jpg)
J. Frank O’Connor, known by his clients and friends as “Scrappy” O’Connor, was a merchant tailor. After a long weekend of partying, he would be murdered during a drunken battle in his office (shown above) on the second floor of Rochester’s Sibley Building. O’Connor’s body was found about 6:00 p.m., Monday, August 28, 1922. These are actual crime scene photos by Albert R. Stone…
Posts Tagged ‘Rochester’...
Drunken Hijinks and Homicide in Rochester’s Sibley Building
Friday, October 5th, 2012Tags: Albert R. Stone, Browncroft, downtown Rochester, Grace M. Begy, homicide, J. Frank O'Connor, Main Street, murder, Owen DeWitt, prohibition, prohibition saloon, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sibley Building, Sibley's, Sibley's Department Store, speakeasy, Stillson Street
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 9 Comments »
Back to Main Street
Friday, September 28th, 2012![Main Street Rochester. c.1908 [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-main-street-then-and-now-1.jpg)
The image above was printed in the Rochester Herald on October 10, 1908. This was Main Street looking east from the Four Corners on a busy day in October. The sidewalks are thronged with pedestrians. Several traffic police are standing at various spots in the intersection. A cluster of westbound trolleys, one labeled “Plymouth” and the other “Saratoga”, have stopped in their tracks. A few people are waiting to board, and others are crossing the street in front of the stopped cars. Several wagons, some covered, are traveling along the street. But then the trolley tracks were ripped up…
Tags: Main Street, old photos of Rochester, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, vintage postcard, vintage views
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 70 Comments »
What’s With Selleck?
Monday, September 24th, 2012
RochesterSubway.com has been nominated for Best Local Blog of 2012. If you’d like to cast your vote, simply fill out City Newspaper’s Final Ballot 
before October 3 (5pm) and select “RochesterSubway.com” for question #66.
Many people have been asking why Tom Selleck of the classic TV drama Magnum P.I. has been campaigning for RochesterSubway. Tom held a press conference at Letchworth State Park this weekend to answer these questions…
Tags: best blog, Best of Rochester, blog, Rochester, Rochester City Newspaper, Rochester NY, rochestersubway.com, subway blog, Tom Selleck
Posted in Interviews, Opinion, Rochester News | No Comments »
Where’s Cogswell?
Friday, September 21st, 2012![This was the corner of Main and Fitzhugh Streets (1884). Can you find Cogswell? [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-savings-bank-cogswell.jpg)
Often times while I’m doing research for a story, I’ll stumble upon something new and get completely sidetracked. Today I was digging for information on the Academy Building when I found the image above. It’s a shot of the Rochester Savings Bank building located at the corner of West Main and Fitzhugh. The Academy Building is to the immediate left of the bank. But forget the buildings for now. Do you see that strange little man standing in the lower left corner of the photo? That was actually a drinking fountain named Cogswell…
Tags: Academy Building, Cogswell Fountain, downtown Rochester, Dr. Henry D. Cogswell, Fitzhugh Street, fountain, Main Street, old photos of Rochester, Powers Hotel, prohibition, public art, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Rochester Savings Bank, sculpture, St. Luke's Church, statue, temperance movement, Women's Christian Temperance Union
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 6 Comments »
Rochester’s Old Federal Building Should Go
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012![Old Federal Building (now City Hall). [PHOTO: Richard Margolis]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-city-hall-richard-margolis.jpg)
“Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a city landmark, the old Federal Building is considered a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. No one’s particularly interested in using it, however, because inside it’s dark, gloomy, usually uncomfortable and just plain ramshackle. Blow it up. It’s an ugly thing…and not particularly interesting inside or out…It should be demolished. A modern, tax-producing building would be a better use for the site and would give more new life to that section of downtown…”
Tags: Church Street, demolition, Federal Building, Fitzhugh Street, Landmark Society of Western New York, National Register of Historic Places, preservation, preservation code, Richard Margolis, Richardsonian, Rick U., Rochester, Rochester City Hall, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Romanesque, State Street, Times-Union, zoning code
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 10 Comments »
Johnny Perotti Brings Field of Dreams to Rochester
Monday, September 17th, 2012
After being selected as the American League (AL) consumer winner of the Pepsi MAX MLB Field of Dreams program, Rochester resident Johnny Perotti edged out National League (NL) consumer winner Stephen Katchmark in the hometown voting competition to officially bring the Field of Dreams Game to Rochester…
Tags: baseball, Cal Ripken Jr., contest, Frontier Field, Johnny Bench, Johnny Perotti, Pepsi MAX MLB Field of Dreams, Randy Johnson, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Red Wings, Stephen Katchmark, Yogi Berra
Posted in Events, Rochester News | No Comments »
Sh!t Rochester People Say
Monday, September 17th, 2012
“These people cannot drive in the snow. I went to the beach today and it smelled like sh!t. I loooove Wegmans. Why’s the TV on R-News?”
If you’ve uttered any of these words, then you might be a Rochesterian. Maybe you’re visiting from out of town and finding it difficult to converse with the natives. No worries. Let Dave Maslyn and Andrew Specksgoor teach you how to speak our language in 2 minutes and 11 seconds…
Tags: Andrew Specksgoor, Dave Maslyn, how to speak Rochesterian, movie, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochesterians, vernacular, video, YouTube
Posted in Art + Culture, Video | 2 Comments »
Battle Over Main Street Church Heating Up
Saturday, September 15th, 2012
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…
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
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
Today, September 14, in Rochester History: The Seneca Hotel Opens
Friday, September 14th, 2012![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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 14 Comments »
Take What You Need or Thoughtless Prank? You Decide.
Tuesday, September 11th, 2012![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
Posted in Freebies, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
A Classic Rochester Souvenir?
Monday, September 10th, 2012![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
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Video | 11 Comments »
High Falls Smoke Stack Will Go Before Winter
Saturday, September 8th, 2012![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
Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
Greentopia
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012![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
Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | 3 Comments »
Snapshots of Rochester’s Labor Days
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012![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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 6 Comments »
New Maps of Rochester’s Neighborhoods
Monday, August 27th, 2012![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
Posted in Rochester Gifts, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News | No Comments »
RGRTA Digs Up Rochester’s Old RKO Palace Theater
Thursday, August 23rd, 2012
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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 101 Comments »
Rochester Police Department Draws Fire at Council Meeting
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
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
Posted in Rochester News, Video | 3 Comments »
The Burned-Over District; Sacred Sites of Western New York
Monday, August 20th, 2012![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
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 4 Comments »
Sample the First 100 Years of Music in Rochester
Sunday, August 12th, 2012![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
Posted in Rochester History | No Comments »
RochesterSubway.com for Best Local Blog of 2012
Saturday, August 4th, 2012![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
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
![\"RochesterSubway.com\"](\"https://rochestersubway.com/images/pixel_white.gif\"){kind=tracking}
