PRICE 25 CENT$

OF THE

PUBLISHED IN CONNECTION WITH ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, JANUARY 24, 26, 27, 1938

COPYRIGHT, 1938

An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man --EMERSON

ND so with cities! They are the reflected glory and disillusionment of their people; fabric woven of

human joy and heartache1 striving and indifference1 attainment and failure-with sublimity and common- place indelibly stamped in the pattern they present to all that pass their way.

Rochester has much to be proud of1 little to regret. Here splendid motive and rich achievement outweigh shortcoming and error. Growing pains there have been1 but few if any progressed beyond the stage of minor ailments. Here foresight and the common good almost invariably have been the denominator and yardstick of doing. Inextricably interwoven in the record of civic accomplish- ment and community endeavor is the thread of high purpose that has characterized one organization/ living its first half century. If the pages that follow contribute something to a better understanding and appreciation of the way we have come in the last five decades1 and the important role played in that development by one of the city/ s oldest institutions-The Rochester Chamber of Commerce-those who have labored in their making will be content. MOON'S PHASES, E. DIV. D. H. M. . H. M:. Last Quarter. 6 5 New Moon First Quarter 11 Full Moon . PHENOMENA

s New Day .M Slavery ab'd 1863. T Norfolk burned, 1776. Peace with Eng. 1784. T o severe cold night. F Epiphany.. o gr't snow storm,. after Epiph·any . p Act, Fire, Milwaukee, 1883. sleet cold rain. F SalmonP. Chase b. 1813. Gibbon died, 1794 s. aft. Epiphany. Alex. Hamilton b. 1757. 27 Battle Cowpens, 1781. 7

T Copernicus born, 1472. 7 25 F Peace of Paris, 1783. 1793. S. after Epiphany. brightest. 0 UPPER FALLS OF GENESEE-1887

manent quarters in Rochester Sav- 1887 ings Bank building, Feb. 6, follow- Theater for John L. ing President Warner's inaugural Sullivan's "vulgar" exhibition of fisti- banquet, ]an. 10. cuffs. First Kodak appears on market. But it's O.K. for Barnum & London Margaret Fox admits she and sister, Circus on Riley Triangle (now Anderson Kate, ·"assisted" spirits in those "rap- Park). pings." Casper Pfaudler, obscure Rochester City gets two new bridges-Elmwood machinist, perfects first glass-lined steel Ave. over river, and Plymouth Ave. tank. over canal. City's first park (Highland) starts with Central R. R. opens Centre Park sta- 20 acres donated by Ellwanger & Barry. tion, and Lehigh wants to get into city Infants' Summer Hospital opens. from South. Chamber promises help to Edward Bausch, in his thirties, invents latter, and asks former for better serv- iris diaphragm shutter. ice, reduced fares. Five die when naphtha in sewage from Vacuum Oil works blows up Platt Street. Wilder Building in 1890. Looks like we' 11 have a Chamber of Commerce, after meeting of Safe Deposit Co. becomes Rochester business men in Mayor' s office, Trust & Safe Deposit Co. Nov. 22. What, another railroad? Rochester & Erie Railroad station opens-and first Honeoye Valley R. R. incorporates. Erie jokester born. Common Council asks Chamber to Ritter Dental Manufacturing Co. help settle question of additional water established. supply. Yesiree, that idea of having ·a Rochester Germicide Co. starts Chamber took hold. Constitution chasing bacteria. and by-laws adopted Dec. 5. Hul- U. S. Government building (Church bert H. Warner becomes first presi- Street) completed. dent at meeting in Common Coun- Chamber employs 3 experts to assist cil chamber, Dec. 19. Only 6 stand- First home of Chamber City Engineer Fisher survey possibility ing committees to start on. (Rochester Savings Bank Bldg.). of damming river at high banks to de- Rochester park system established velop water power for city industries; with Dr. Edward Matt Moore first presi- and sponsors another railroad (to be dent. Chamber persuades city to buy electrically operated) to Charlotte. land for 3 parks all at once. Building contractors organize Board First play ("The Wife") given at of Trade (now Builders' Exchange). Lyceum Theater. C. of C. has 339 members at end of Many lives lost in Lantern W arks fire first year, and reports community en- at west brink of Upper Falls. joying prosperity "despite short crops, C. of C. campaigns for 1-cent letter bad· weather and presidential cam- Invitation to first meeting of Chamber. postage, improved Charlotte harbor, paign." and to stop contamination of Hemlock Oh! Oh! Rochester Electric Railway water supply. Joins national Board of incorporated. What next? Those horse Trade. cars are bad enough, scaring the day- Flower City Gentlemen's Driving lights out of everyone! Assn. organized. John P. Smith installs first motor Wilder and Ellwanger & Barry build- driven presses-and speed printing ings erected. is on. James G. Blaine and Chauncey De- Rochester Evening Times makes its pew deliver campaign speeches in bow as Democratic paper. Franklin Square. Hiram Sibley, founder of Western Over 300 attend first Union, dies. meeting of Chamber Telephone subscribers get over being l888- - of Commerce in per- mad at company, and end "strike." Lyceum Theater soon after erection. FOUR CORNERS IN "GAY NINETIES"

Wind storm fells old Liberty Pole at East Ave. and Franklin St. mg machme - Jacob Transparent photo film discovered by Gerling becomes its lifelong enemy. George Eastman, not yet thirty-six. Citizens' Gas Company incorporates. Free Methodist, North Presbyterian, Edw.in Booth suffers stroke on stage of Grace Evangelical, South Congrega- Lyceum. tional and Church of the Ascension North Baptist Church organized. dedicated. Rochester "gets religion" in First buildings at Kodak Park. David Jayne Hill becomes president a big way. of U. of R.; succeeds Martin B. Ander- Homeopathic Hospital (now Genesee) by insisting upon more equitable con- son. opens. tract, but leaves horses in the lurch. C. of C. collects $14,000 forJohnstown Chamber reports 46 conventions this Burke, FitzSimmons, Hone & Co. flood sufferers. year; not to mention bringing a vinegar enlarge store. First electric street car line (to Char- works, tannery and rolling mill to city. Grace Presbyterian, Spencer-Ripley lotte} operates, with Chamber's blessing. William S. Kimball, president. Methodist and Church of Christ dedi- cated while Central Presbyterian, St. Stanislaus, Holy Rosary and Second German Baptist lay cornerstones. crat & Chronicle, with C. of C. says better have smoke Samuel G. Blythe at keyboard. Linotype nuisance than idle factories. Asks that first used in composing room. Ernest R. cheap soft coal rates be maintained. Willard becomes editor-in-chief. Driving Park Avenue bridge opened. Bausch & Lomb begins making Stein-Bloch label first appears on searchlight mirrors for U. S. Navy. men's clothing. First buildings at Kodak Park erected. J. Hungerford Smith Co. moves to Cyclone does much damage here. Rochester. Chamber successfully opposes bill to Chamber gets Congress to declare reduce legal interest rates in state from Irondequoit Bay "navigable water;" 6 to 5 per cent; started agitation for new sees its plan for smaller Board of Edu- city charter. cation adopted; wins fight for gravity Eastman Kodak works in 1889. First electric trolley car operates in- system of bringing in Hemlock water. side city (Lake Avenue line}. First bank clearing house operates. Genesee River turns loose greatest C. of C. reports 57 conventions and flood since 1865. "money tight but few failures." Lewis And still more railroads! South Park P. Ross, president. and Crosstown railroads incorporated, Glen Haven line starts picnickers bay- ward, and Rochester City and Brighton R. R. sold. Chamber turns out 54th Regiment car transfer - strap- Band to welcome "Congress of the Bicycle race at old Crittenden Park. hangers invent ways and means to ride Three Americas" and promote South all day on one. 300 rescued when fire sweeps St. American trade; also busy on home Rochester Wheelman's League gets trade, inspiring switch connections to under way; 15,000 bicyclists demand Mary's Hospital. Fireman Jaynes (later provide "belt line" around city for better streets. They get cinder paths chief) seriously injured. transfer of freight without re-handling. and a 25-cent-per-bike tax. Caledonia Avenue (now Clarissa) First dental chair (ouch!) built by New Y.M.C.A. at South Ave. and gets lift bridge over Erie Canal. Frank Ritter. Court St. opens. Chamber sponsors State Board of Trade organized at campaign for funds. Rochester C. of C. Children's pavilion in Highland Park Mechanics Institute absorbs old Roch- dedicated. ester Athenaeum (oldest school in Reception to Julia Ward Howe at Rochester} and locates on new site in Chamber. S. Washington St., with $8,000 help Rochester Railway Company organ- from Chamber members. izes to take over and electrify four exist- Work starts on great East Side trunk ing trolley concerns in city, amid much sewer, a Chamber project. opposition to "junking" of horses and Electric trolleys supplant horse cars disapproval of "mere give away" on on Main Street, from York St. to Glen Hotel Ontario at Ontario Beach- early 1900's part of city council. Chamber save·s day Haven station. ERIE CANAL AQUEDUCT

Republican State Convention held First branch postoffice east of river here. opens. Monroe County Insane Asylum goes St. Bernard's Seminary holds first over to state control. classes. Hahnemann Hospital (now Highland) Lehigh Valley R. R. opens station on · opens. Crouch's Island, and Chamber gives Chamber advertises city has "largest Buffalo merchants a jolt by getting Le- and finest tobacco factory in the world" high to finish branch to Honeoye Falls making over 1 million cigarets a day so townsfolk can come here to trade and employing 1,200.-the Peerless "Old Calamity"--West Main canal bridge. instead. Tobacco W arks (now City Hall Annex) Third Court St. bridge (present) and at Court St. and river. President Harrison and Governor third Andrews St. bridge (also present) Empire State Express (fastest thing on Flower unveil Soldiers' and Sailors' open, former costing $150,000; latter, wheels) makes first run through city. monument (C. of C. project) in Wash- $75,000. Cornerstone of St. Bernard's Semi- ington Square (city's first public square). Models of Santa Maria, Pinta and nary laid. Fire destroys Second Baptist Church, Nina tie up at Charlotte harbor on way C. of C . notes "consuniption of beer Hiram Sibley seed house and the large to World's Columbian Exposition, Chi- in country during past few years has Sibley Block (now Taylor Bldg.) in cago. been remarkable. Rochester has kept East Main St. City taps artesian wells in Brighton to fully abreast with the times in this re- Through Chamber enterprise, work is help quench its thirst while second spect, rating 21st in population and 11th begun on "unsurpassed" gravity water Hemlock conduit is building. in production of beer." works and drainage system. Hemlock C. of C. takes hand in provisions for Eugene T. Curtis president of Cham- and Canadice watersheds acquired by improving and enlarging public library, ber. city, and second Hemlock conduit and moving it to old Free Academy (now authorized. Education Building) in S. Fitzhugh St. Last street car changes Cook Opera House (now Embassy Has 23,000 volumes. over from "giddap" to Theater) opens, with "Stradella" by Women's Educational and Industrial "ding-ding," and part local amateurs. Union founded. 1892force is "mounted"-on Work begins on new buildings for of police bicycles. St. Patrick'.s Orphan Asylum for Girls. Railroads and highways snowed un- Office of "City Auditor" created. der by two-day blizzard. Electric light and gas companies con- solidate. 1st and 8th Separate Companies (National Guard) sent to Buffalo for eleven days' duty in railroad strike. Start building East Main St. bridge over Central tracks. Lehigh Valley R. R. comes to Roch- One of city's first horse cars. ester. Historical Society holds three-night State census gives city 144,834 in- pageant at Lyceum, depicting city's habitants, 530 of whom belong to the growth. Erie Canal at South Avenue "elbow." Chamber, which reports over 400 meet- Chamber proud of fact city parks now ings this year (besides its own) in its Granite Building erected. contain 600 acres, and Main Street rooms; and " not a single bank failure Chamber's pride in Rochester as "one paved for 1½ miles with Medina blocks here" during recent panic. of best lighted and most beautiful cities" at cost of $150,000. Henry C ; Brewster Max Brickner is C. of C. president. knows no bounds. Has 100 miles of is president. paved streets, more fireproof buildings than any other city except New York, University of Rochester Fire destroys Glen and known far and wide as "the city of l89_ 3 admits its first co-ed, l89_ 4 House on Irondequoit bridges" -they can't mean those canal - and- Bay and "night hfe bridges like "Old Calamity" on West City street cars are all electrified. hereabouts gets severe setback. . Main that get stuck "up" early and stay (Just a coincidence.) Cornerstone of third (present) Court that way for hours. Chamber's transportation committee House laid. Rochester Bar Association formed. reports summer excursion business out Irondequoit and Charlotte loudly pro- Riverside Cemetery established. .. of Charlotte very heavy. Two electric test proposed annexation to city. . Two new bridges over river-Clarissa car hnes-now connect Clty w1th lakes1de New Chamber of Commerce bu1ldmg St. and Platt St. resort. at Main and South St. Paul going up. THE PRIDE OF HIGGINS' LIVERY

Rochester Evening Times sold, and Cutler and Triangle buildings erected turns Republican. -and "Four Corners" begins tipping First contract for municipal garbage its hat to East Avenue. disposal. William Jennings Bryan speaks about New Powers ballroom opens with "Free Silver" in Jones Park-a dollar was waltz and polka-but no "Big Apple." still a dollar if you could make it ring. c. of c. collects $12,000 to aid un- Chamber rolls up its sleeves and helps employed. raise $100,000 for the U. of 'R. Homeopathic Hospital moves to Alex- West side trunk sewer begun-the ander St. East side likes theirs (only it's going to Bausch& Lomb begins making optical nick taxpayers for many a long, dis- goods under famous Zeiss patents. gruntled year). Chamber's east side trunk sewer fin- Ho hum! Raines Liquor Tax Law ished, and ~cornerstone for Central Horse racing at old Driving Park track. goes into effect. Police Station laid. First municipal skating rink opens at New Mechanics Institute opens. Voting machines (invented here South Park (now Genesee Valley). 1889) first used in election. Christ Episcopal and Mt. Hor Presby- Rochester Credit Men's Ass'n gets Kinetescope (first movies) exhibited terian churches dedicated, and second under way, with C. of C. help. in city, thanks to Eastman's film. Berith Kodesh synagogue opens. All four city hospitals decide to have Lightning hits Third Presbyterian Rochester merchants get another ambulances. steeple while congregation prays. break when Chamber persuades N. Y. City Engineer McClintock studies Dean Hole of Rochester, England, Central to put extra morning train on Genesee River possibilities and Cham- Falls Branch, to bring in Albion shop- guest of Chamber, ber applauds its one-time secretary. pers. Grand View Beach R. R. foreclosed. We've got a bicycle cinder path all Frederick Douglass, famous negro Water trickles into Mt. Hope reser- the way to Scottsville (what, without voir for first time from new (second) orator, dies in Washington. Buried in W.P.A.?) and thousands of handle-bar Mt. Hope. Hemlock conduit. City gives artesian speedsters clip on their pants' guards Bastian Brothers start-and kids be- wells back to Brighton. and go mad with joy. gin collecting campaign buttons. Chamber statisticians can count only Defender Photo Supply Co. founded. Last Grand Circuit races here. 24 conventions this year, but pub. im- First electric overhead suspension provement comm. saves day with "East David Jayne Hill resigns presidency engine invented by 0. H. and A. F. of U. of to become Assistant Secretary Main St. is now one of handsomest and R. Pieper (now v.p.'s at Ritter Dental). of State. best lighted thoroughfares in the world Chamber passes resolution for keep- Chamber moves into new quarters and suffers only when compared with ing fire alarm keys under glass attached on 11th floor of C. of C. Building, West Main St." Ira L. Otis is president. to outside of boxes. Even a handy false whose owners, Messrs. Kimball and alarm now and then is better than not Keeler, say it is "as near everlasting knowing who's got the key when you Rattlesnake killed in as any that man can construct." l895 Lake Avenue. want a fireman. James G. Cutler is School Board gets peevish and rules George B. Selden gets president. patent on first "gas" buggy. out dancing in high schools. Hurricane of unprecedented violence "upsets" city. First lilacs planted in Highland.Park -but nobody has thought up "Lilac Sunday." C. of C. hears new industrial com- munity to be started 4 miles east of city to be called either "Vanderbilt" or "Despatch," with car shops and 1,000 workers to start on. It turns~ out to be "Despatch"--but Chamber wasn't long Lower Genesee falls in 1896. changing that to "East Rochester." Charles P. Ford is Chamber's president. Sunday baseball games forbidden, but six-day bike race goes on and on and on at Fitzhugh Hall. miere Cinematograph) Chamber takes its members on first in old Eden Musee (later "Wonder- annual outing-to Niagara Falls. 500 Second home of Chamber (Commerce Bldg., St. Pa.ul a.nd Ma.in). land"). make the trip. DRIVING PARK AVENUE BRIDGE

Eastman Kodak office building erect- Chamber finds 64 shoe factories are ed in State St. (but not yet the tower) . operating here. Security Trust Co. opens its bank for Beer ads on street car transfers get business. Stock was not quoted at prohibitionists all riled up. 1,500, with "none offered." Active Hose, last volunteer fire com- Rufus A. Sibley and other C. of C. pany (except Protectives) disbands. delegates go to Indianapolis monetary Queen Liliuokalani of Sandwich convention to see what can be done Islands {now Hawaii) visits city. about a national financial system--and Hard feelings or no hard feelings, it "Bill" Bryan's free silver. looks like Charlotte is going to be Health Bureau opens first milk station annexed. C. of C. has its hand in this. for babies. Rochester Public Health Ass'n formed. West side sewer is finished. Where'll Companies A and H, 3rd N.Y. Volun- they be digging next? teer Infantry, and Naval Reserve get G.A.R. holds state encampment here. taste of Spanish-American War, and International .Postal Delegates (from 202nd Infantry joins army of occupa- all over Europe and Asia) visit city and tion in Cuba. Chamber holds patriotic Rochester Street Fair, 1899. Chamber takes them for "a carriage mass meeting and tenders aid to sol- R.Y.C. entry, "Genesee," wins first drive." diers' families. Canada's cup race at Toronto. Rochester baseball team withdraws Brick Church Institute opens. Women elected to School Board for from Eastern League. First Graflex camera put on market. first time. Passing of Daniel Powers and the Susan B. Anthony has 77th birthday St. Paul's Episcopal Church conse- Powers Art Gallery. party in Powers' Gallery. C. of C. thinks something might be School children join G.A.R. vets for crated. Chamber promotes county fair, prob- done to stimulate raising of sugar beets first time in Memorial Day parade. ably to be known as "Genesee Valley hereabouts. Charles J. Brown is presi- Chamber raises money to pay for Exposition;" and sees to it that our citi- dent. Douglass Monument, not yet unveiled. zens get their New York mail earlier in Women beginning to the day. object to cigaret smok- First free public baths open in old ing in city buildings, Home of Industry, South Ave. l898 Rochester Academy of Medicine and something's got to be done about it. Propose to outfit fire engines with organized. rubber tires. Hickey-Freeman Co. is city's newest Jake Gerling wins first (and only) tilt clothing factory. with voting machines. They're out! Douglass Monument (St. Paul and Cen- Looking north from Comme rce Building, tral Ave.) unveiled. Baker Theater (N. Fitzhugh St.) opens, late nineties. and Academy of Music (old Corinthian German Home for Aged opens. Hall) burns down. City celebrates diamond jubilee of St. First through train to Pittsburgh over Theater-goers demand after-midnight Patrick's parish and golden jubilee of B. R. & P. trolley service. Bishop McQuaid. W ollensak Optical Co. founded. David Jayne Hill promoted by Presi- c .- of c. reports 112 miles of city C. of C. has an idea there will be an dent McKinley to be Secretary of State. streets now improved, annual value of electric trolley line to Sodus Bay pretty Cock fights revived, but continued city's industrial products $59,669,000, soon. Ought to know, promoting itl opposition to Sunday baseball results in with $52,000,000 invested .in manufac- Rufus A. Sibley is president. arrests of players. turing and wholesale trade here. Charles E. Angle is president. 1900 (sprinkler, to you) sys- baby bo.rn tem for street cleaning is invented here. B1g parade Memonal First autos appear on city streets, Day with Spanish cannon captured by along with heaviest snow blockade in Admiral Dewey. history (43 inches fell in 3 days). Franchise granted to Home (now Rush Rhees becomes U. of R. prexy. Rochester) Telephone Company. Police precincts established with La Grippe rages with great severity. James G. Cutler as first commissioner of George and Libanus Todd market public safety. Protectograph-and phoney check art- Herman Dossenbach' s orchestra plays Four Corners and McKinley banner, 1898 ists get the jitters. first concert. GERMAN INSURANCE BUILDING AND SECOND COURT HOUSE--1891

Chamber influence keeps Vacuum Oil Co. here. Manual (vocational) training starts in public schools. New First_ Methodist Church dedicat- ed. Eastman building of Mechanics In- stitute opens. Crown Ribbon and Carbon Mfg. Co. First Canada's Cup race. formed. C. of C . arranges memorial service fol- Rochester Packing Company (Ar- peako) starts-machine age in sausage lowing President McKinley's assassina- fion. Alexander B. Lamberton (city's making on in earnest. Night owls get their after-midnight first supt. of parks) is Chamber presi- street cars, and promptly name it "owl dent. service.'' Chamber appeals for aid for Texas eSnm.aEllpmoexrgeepnidceym'i'cHkoiplles100; over 1,000 strick- storm survivors. William Jennings Bryan talks some Hospital" set up on east bank of river more in Rochester. So does Chauncey Otis "Victory Arch," Main and East Ave. (rear Mt. Hope Ave.). Depew. And Eugene V. Debs. River floods city for four days; heavy Foster Automobile Co. produces first Genesee ' Valley Trust Co. opens loss. Chamber brings State Flood Com- steam-driven "horseless carriage" here. bank. mission to see what can be done about All dogs must wear muzzles. Rabies Federation of Churches formed. it. is spreading. Merchants give clerks first Saturday half-holiday. We're going to be railroaded aplenty. Chamber helps get franchises for trolley lines to Syracuse, Geneva, Hornells- ville, Geneseo, Mt. Morris and Dansville. Church of Blessed Sacrament lays cornerstone. First automobile display advertising in city, by J. J. Mandery. Seneca Camera Co. plant burns down. 34 trains on 4 lines carry 7, 163 Exchange Street looking toward Main, 1902. Rochesterians to Pan-American Expo at Plenty disaster-but we've got a Steam-driven Foster auto--l900. Buffalo. Arranged by C. of C. building boom in our midst. First free dental dispensary organized They're in again! Those voting ma- And visiting bigwigs galore! Some of by Rochester Dental Society. chines. This time for "keeps." 'em: Grand Duke Boris of Russia, Prince Rochester Street Railway control sold Alliance and Monroe banks consoli- Henry of Prussia, Governor Odell, to Philadelphia folks. date. Senator Chauncey Depew, former Gov- Being an alderman's worth while Col. Theodore Roosevelt comes to ernor David B. Hill. now. They're going to draw salaries. town. East High School built. Ludwig Schenck conducts first con- Kee Lox Mfg. Co. formed. Dr. Edward Matt Moore (founder of cert of Rochester Symphony. Chamber builds Victory Arch at park system) dies. Main and East Ave. to welcome home First playground, at Brown's Square. city's hero of the Philippines, Major Gen. Citizens' Light & Power and Municipal Elwell S. Otis. Henry B. Hathaway Gas & Electric merge. president of C . of C. C. of C. helps arbitrate bitter feud be- tween breweries and their employes. Does a fine job. Everybody happy. Stromberg-Carlson company comes lum (Hubbell Park) fire. to town. First weekly band concerts in public Chamber ends year with a march tune parks inaugurated by C. of C. all its own, composed by Garramone Masonic Temple (Clinton Ave. N.) Band leader. Henry C . Brewster is presi- cornerstone laid. Sprinkling cart, invented here in 1900. dent. MT. HOPE (HIGHLAND PARK} RESERVOIR

Granite Bldg. Buffalo and Syracuse send firemen and apparatus. Megiddo Mission comes to Thurston Road. Street railways get new cars by order of Mayor Cutler and popular demand. Reynolds Arcade has big fire too. New public market and armory (C. of C. inspired) sites approved by Common Council. Should have built that retaining wall sooner. Another pretty bad flood due to ice jam at Clarissa St. Rochester Gas & Electric and Roch- ester Railway & Light companies merge. Sibley (Granite Building} lire. Chamber says way to prevent another flood like last year to build 1905 retaining wall along river from Court to their hides, so police organize a Traffic Squad. Clarissa. Contract let. good as done. Dr. Lorenz, world famed Vienna doc- Incidentally, Rochester is now a first tor, performs first bloodless surgery class city-and they've begun building here. those rock piles out Buffalo Road to dig Brick Presbyterian Church and near- the Barge Canal. Main Street in 1904, west from Sf. Paul. by buildings destroyed by fire. Cornerstone laid for new Armory in Rochester Auto Club organized. East Main St. Chamber rejoices in its First convention of Monroe County Masonic Temple dedicated. "child." Good Roads Assn. held under Chamber Smallpox still rampant. Patients re- Rochester Railway & Light Co. sold to auspices. Monroe has more improved moved to new Waring Road contagious Vanderbilt-Andrews syndicate, and New roads than any other county in state. hospital and "Hope Hospital" burned York-Philadelphia people buy Rochester George Eastman gives $60,000 to to ground by official edict. & Eastern R. R. U. of R. for laboratories. Only 141 gas street ,lamps left. Cham- Rev. Thomas F. Hickey becomes co- Intake pipe for Rochester & Lake On- ber fight for electric lights has put adjutor Bishop of Rochester. tario Water Co. begun. 2,804 carbon-arc type to work. General Railway Signal Co. estab- Sherwood Shoe Co. founded. Mechanics Institute inherits $320,000. lished here. Phew! That soft coal smoke is getting Chamber takes side of federal ship City orders five police precinct sta- on our nerves and eyebrows. Chamber canal as opposed to state barge canal, tions put up. has city pass a law to stop it. but voters didn't agree in spite of 100,- Chicago's great Iroquois Theater fire Cluett-Peabody shirt and collar people 000 printed arguments. Better salaries inspires inspection here. One show- all fed up with strikes in Troy; come to for teacher.s, a convention hall, public house ordered closed. Rochester. market, new armory, turning Riley tri- Chamber points with pride to city' s U. S. Independent Telephone Co. angle into park and improving Ironde- 200,000 population, 2,750 plants and makes bid for business. quoit Bay being urged. 53,000 employes. President Dunn con- Chamber backs Health Bureau's milk Pfaudler Company brings its glass- tinues for second term. stations and inspections to decrease lined tank business here from Detroit. child mortality. Thomas B. Dunn (later congressman) is Chamber's president and projects Graflex cameras move to city and carried through this year include open- tuck themselves under Kodak label. ing of Rochester and Sodus Bay trolley Holy smokes, we just got Cluett-Pea- line, and completion of electric line to body moved here and already they've Canandaigua. got trouble with union. Never mind, Chamber arbitrates it. City's greatest fire de- Being first in state to sponsor good . stroys Sibley's store and . roads, Rochester Chamber now ap- ' practically all north proves 50-million-qollar appropriation side of Main St. between St. Paul and for improvements-and has Clinton Clinton, including all hut outer walls of Mayor Cutler in his first gas buggy. Rogers as president. ONTARIO BEACH PARK-1900

sidewalks, but Council passes the Start building new Seneca Hotel. darned ordinance anyway. General Booth and daughter, Evan- James J. Hill, r. r. magnate; Dr. Nich- geline, entertained _here. olas Murray Butler of Columbia, Sir Chamber recommends reduced water James Whitney, premier of Ontario; rates. and Bishop Hickey all speak at annuai Street cars invade East Avenue (way Chamber dinner. out) so Brightonites can go to town. Old Empire Theater C. of C. resolves to support President (site of present Sibley store). W. B. Duffy plans a new hotel (Roch- (Teddy) Roosevelt in plans to conserve ester) on old National Hotel site. national resources, and has Charles F. Taylor Instrument Companies formed Mercury breaks 35- Garfield as president. year record with swel- (combine had start here in 1851). tering 71 on Jan. 21. New· home of Railroad Y.M.C.A. Second open-air school New reservoir at Cobb's Hill built (Hyde Park) opens. and Chamber "points with pride."' ' Over 600 attend "Rochester Night" at Chamber. Michael Doyle, president. First cars run over Rochester & Syra- School, Cobb's Hill). cuse electric line. Chamber trying to make this "Con- Susan B. Anthony dies, aged 86. vention City" with special publicity. St. Anne's Home for Aged opens. Gets 4,000 here for Photographers' 1908 1s the Chamber happy? C. of C. rounds up $13,000 and two Assn. of America meeting. Celebrates by inventing slogan: "Roch- carloads of clothes and supplies for San Formal opening of Durand-Eastman ester Made Means Quality." Francisco earthquake sufferers "while Park. Henry Lomb (co-founder of optical in- the city is still burning." After lo these many years, George B. dustry with John Jacob Bausch) dies. · The eyes have it! Both national and Selden's basic gas auto patents upheld First Rochester Industrial Exposition state conventions of opticians here. by Supreme Court. held in new Convention Hall, under Evangelistic campaign lasts 18 days. Admiral ("Fightin' Bob") Evans speaks Chamber auspices. Rev. Algernon S. Crapsey, rector of in Convention Hall. So does Governor Frances A. Baker (now in her nine- St. Andrews Episcopal, unfrocked for Hughes, on "direct primaries." ties) gives 120-acre Baker Farm to heresy. Rosenberg & Co. (1900) becomes Genesee Valley Park; land for Durand- Flour City and German-American "Fashion Park" Clothes. Eastman Park transferred to city. banks merge into National Bank of Roch- Got to enlarge Convention Hall. Chamber staff now consists of perma- ester, which also absorbs Commercial Build an annex. Mayor Edgerton's for nent secretary, one assistant and a steno. Bank and Bank of Commerce. it. So's Chamber. Contracts let. Haloid Company founded. Judge William Howard Taft speaks in West Ave. Methodist Church dedi- Convention Hall. So does Governor cated. Charles Evans Hughes. And the Chamber's ears are red when And Democratic State Convention it discovers it claimed 200,000 popula- helps christen the place. . tion for city two years ago, and this ' N. Y. State Lager Beer Brewers hold year's state census makes it only 181,- convention at C. of C. and invite clergy- 666. R. A. Badger is president. men for first time in history. Why? One guess is as good as another. First electrically pro- Meantime ministerial assn. and thea- pelled cars come mto ter managers meet at Chamber to - city over Erie R. R.-- "discuss" Sunday amusements. and last Erie jokester gives up the ghost. That soft coal smoke law isn't working Old state arsenal (facing Washington too well. Chamber passes another Square) becomes Convention Hall. resolution for rigid enforcement. George Eastman gives additional land to Cobb's Hill Park and $50,000 to Homeopathic Hospital. Northeast Electric Company (now Delco Appliance Co.) founded as Roch- ester Coil Co. Pinnacle Hill crumbling away follow- ing repeated operations for removal of sand and gravel. Public alarmed. City Beautiful Committee of Chamber State Industrial School Old Rochester Arsenal (Convention Hall) . opposes four-foot signs over downtown (now Museum at Edgerton Park). OSBURN HOUSE AND OLD COURT STREET BRIDGE

Roland B. Woodward becomes C. of First Carnegie hero medal awarded C. secretary. Succeeds Sydney R. here, to Carl F. Wagner. Clarke. Monroe Tuberculosis Hospital plans Fire destroys second Berith Kodesh approved. Temple and most of Grove Street. New Brick Church Institute opens. New Temple Theater (vaudeville) Democratic State Convention and opens in South Clinton, and A. A. National Playgrounds Congress meet Fenyvessy puts up first theater building here. {Colonial) for exclusive showing of Theodore Roosevelt speaks ·at Con- movies in E. Main {now site of Lincoln- vention Hall. Alliance Bank and McFarlin's). George Dietrich is C. of C. president. Rochester baseball team wins pen- Fire horses going; first motor apparatus 1912. 'nant. John J. Frisbie makes Chamber's got exactly 777 members, Todd Company begins manufacture _ first successful airplane in own plant. - flight over city-but and Albert B. Eastwood as president. Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid and even best guessers can't see anything General Elwell S. Otis die. more in flying machines than a "dan- First motorized fire ap- paratus here - and Chamber trying to keep state from gerous toy for foolhardy daredevils." _ - horses have their first turning old Industrial School {now Chamber turns its 3-year-old Indus- show at the Expo. Edgerton Park) into prison. Whole city trial Exposition over to city. Old Indus- Woodrow Wilson speaks here twice. hot under collar. Plan killed. trial School becomes Exposition (now He's running for President. Symington Company moves to city; Edgerton) Park, and first Exposition Public library opens at Exposition Hickok belts and buckles start going held there under municipal auspices. Park, with William F. Yust as city around together, and W. N. Clark com- Postal Savings Bank opens in govern- librarian. pany begins putting lots of things in ment building. Chamber's civic improvement comm. cans. promotes City Plan. In the midst of everything else C. of Kodak declares first employe wage C. gets idea we should have an official dividend. city flower. Selects the "Rochester Homeopathic Hospital discards horses Aster"-with Edward G. Miner as for first motor ambulance. president. C. of C. sets up Comm. on Arbitration John J. Frisbie makes first airplane flight. and Conciliation to settle business dis- First attempts at aero- National G.A.R. encampment here. putes among members; and starts pub- plane flights made here Many Civil War veterans killed going lishing "Rochester Commerce." by amateurs. 1910 home, in wreck at Cuylerville. Progressive People's (Labor) Lyceum Buffalo Bill, former Rochesterian, Western New York apples don't get opens in St. Paul St. makes farewell appearance here with enough prestige as applesauce; C. of C. = George Eastman and others give Wild West. starts vigorous campaign to tell the world $35,000 to preserve Cobb's Hill woods City's official flag first displayed. how big and red and luscious they are. as public park. Sibley's start $200,000 addition to Cesare Sconfietti installed as first Chamber again urges power storage new store at Main and Clinton. Italian consul here. and flood prevention dam up the Valley, United Charities founded. Sunday baseball in parks permitted. and modern harbor at river's mouth. Troop 1, Boy Scouts, organized. C. of C. offers noonday "lunch and Rochester was settled just 100 years Christian Science church going up in chat" facilities to members, and appoints ago. Governor Dix helps us celebrate East Ave. at Prince St. first Health Committee. centennial. President William Howard Taft ad- First Library board named by Mayor. Dr. Augustus H. Strong retires after dresses annual meeting of Chamber at Fire Prevention Week starts-with 40 years as president Rochester Theo- Convention Hall. Chamber slogan: "Every fire same size logical Seminnary. at start." Still working on smoke C. of C. committee, under Cyrus W. nuisance, too. Phillips, drafts Workmen's Compensa- What's this? Lincoln Beachey and tion Law for state. other "fool air pilots" have been flying 16-story Kodak office going up in around here; and we're to have our first State St. aviation meet at Crittenden Park in Million dollar endowment fund for October. U. of R. raised, and land for Women's If we're going to have a Barge Canal College given by Dr. John P. Munn. might as well have Barge Canal Ter- Beechnut Packing .Co. builds factory Kite picture of Kodak Park--1910. minal, says C. of C. here. Monroe Farm Bureau formed with C. ization of postal service and East Ave. of C. backing, financial and otherwise. branch postoffice with 51 carriers. City starts to get its hands on Morton Work of deepening river channel W . Runde! (Library) bequest by court starts. edict. Turn Verein is 50 years old, and Most of Durand-Eastman Park play- celebrates. ground turned into zoo. No more floods, we hope! Common Council votes to deepen river downtown and build flood wall. Those unsightly trolley poles are com- Old blast furnace at Charlotte. ing off Main and other downtown streets. Chamber's got merchants to let com- Electric arc lights in streets on way pany attach overhead cable supports to "out." Chamber leads movement to buildings. modernize with magnetite lamps and Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg R.R. Old Central depot, St. Paul and Central. eliminate twin lights downtown. becomes Ontario Branch of N.Y.C. Mrs. James Sibley Watson gives Governor Sulzer and Teddy Roosevelt Walter C. Hagen, from here, wins Memorial Art Gallery to U. of R. argue direct primaries at Convention golf's National Open in Chicago. Erie Canal break at Bushnell's Basin Hall. Retail Merchants Council established ties up traffic and costs state cool half Rochester Business Institute estab- by C. of C. million. lished half century. Jewish Orphans' Home opens. Kodak Park adds 65 acres and new C. of C. retail trade committee brings Earthquake distinctly felt hereabouts. buildings. about later opening and earlier closing Friendly Home gets 20 acres for new St. Stephen's Episcopal Church dedi- of stores, with Saturday afternoons off site, East Ave. near Landing Rd . cated. in Summer. Rochester Safety Council (Chamber Henry W . Morgan is Chamber's 3rd N. Y. Infantry goes to Buffalo for activity) takes place of old accident president. duty in vicious street car strike, while prevention comm. other Guard units are sent to Auburn for New N.Y.C. station opens at Central Greatest flood since strike duty in rope factories. Ave. and N. Clinton. . '65. River 8 feet over Anti-forgery paper first produced by Medical inspection of factory workers dam and 6 feet deep m ToddCo. starts. middle of Front St. Main St. bridge D-K-G Institute (foundation for East- Council authorizes third Hemlock, inundated. Terrific loss up Valley. man School of Music) opens. water conduit. First policewoman, Nellie McElroy, Chamber stenos crowded out of 11th Chamber conducts first "Live a Little appointed. floor general offices; move to lOth. Longer" health class. George W. Bitter strike ties up city's clothing in- Mayor approves bill to annex parts of Thayer is president. dustry. Troops called out. Irondequoit, Greece and other towns. Theodore Roosevelt speaks at Expo- sition. C. of C. has 1,242 of city's 240,000 George Eastman gives population. Robert M. Searle, president. _ _ Chamber new home at Chamber founds Community Council to co-ordinate civic interests of 6 coun- St. Paul and Mortimer. ties. The World War is on "Jitney" busses give riders nervous Booker T. Washington speaks here on and Rochester sends prostration and street car company a Lincoln's birthday. = -: carloads of toys and six-month headache. Rochester Club destroyed by fire. clothing on ' Chnstmas Ship to Belgian Rochester movie theaters open on children. Sunday. Heaviest snowfall in 14 years. State Employment Bureau opens here Workmen's Compensation Law and Chamber lends a hand in unem- (Chamber's baby) takes effect. ployment situation. City's clothing factories make na- Work begins on Stutson Street river tiona! history by cutting 4 hours off bridge. work week. Cornerstone of new Central Y.M.C.A . Old Guard founded by National (Gibbs St.) laid. Guard and Militia old-timers. Chamber establishes Traffic Bureau Consulting City Engineer's job ere- and Manufacturers' Council. ated. First "Song and Light Festival" at State encampment of G.A.R. Highland Park. Front Street in flood of 1913. Chamber obtains complete reorgan- Park Board abolished and Alexander B. Lamberton continues with title of first bling a war down in Mexico, only they Park Commissioner. call it a punitive expedition. Rochester Chamber holds first Americanization National Guard units go. meeting at Convention Hall; 79 new Chamber pleased because all but 10 citizens get certificates. of 47 bills it champions are passed by Bureau of Municipal Research estab- Legislature. lished by George Eastman. Patriotic mass meeting at Exposition Cornerstone of lola Sanitarium laid. Park. Looks more and more like war! Many citizens joining Allied forces in Chamber lays cornerstone of new World War, mostly through Canada. home in St. Paul St. "under umbrellas Mayor names committee on National and dripping skies," with Mayor Edger· Defense. ton and former Presidents Cutler and Liberty Bell stops here on way to Todd speaking. Wartime troop trains leave city. Panama-Pacific Expo. New Jewish Orphan Home opens in "somewhere on the coast" and "over General Railway Signal gets 7 -million· Genesee St. there." All aliens viewed with sus- dollar British order for high explosive Whew! 40 days of continuous heat picion. Troops guard bridges, railroads shells. and drought. and canals against possible enemy plots. First Junior High School (Washington) Traffic Council organized by C. of C., Recruiting stations crowded with excit- opens, and city gives "6-3-3" plan of and there's much agitation for parallel ed volunteers. More soldiers mobilize education to world. streets. and entrain. Hysterical c~owds see them George Eastman and William Bausch Salvation Army's commander, Evan· off. Bands play. Flags wave. Chamber are going to build a dental dispensary. geline Booth, speaks at Temple Theater. helps organize home defense committee Dr. Harvey J. Burkhart chosen director. Park Ave. and 2nd Baptist churches to assist in police duties. More volun- School children start saving their become one. teers leave for training camps and secret pennies (school bank 'deposits now Richardson Corporation founded and sailing orders. Munitions factories exceed 2 million dollars). root beer goes foamy. spring up like mushrooms. Arrests and Chamber starts Solicitations comm. to C. of C. sponsors first community con- spy talk everywhere. Makeshift build- protect public from "within the law but ference of retail merchants, Powers ings go up at record pace for war work. not on the level" panhandling schemes. Hotel. The draft! City raises first two quotas. Bausch & Lomb begins production of Y.M.C.A. moves into new Gibbs St. Hospital units and war nurses organize optical glass in America, and glass fur- home from South Ave. and depart. Farmers, business men, nace burns down. Rochester Chapter, Red Cross, reor- everybody's volunteering or being draft. First Presbyterian Church 100 years ganizes on wartime basis. ed "to make the world safe for democra- old, and Gleason Works celebrates half All traffic tied up by snow storm. cy.'' Chamber and other agencies trying century. Federal Bureau of Markets starts daily to hold food shortage within bounds. Dr. Clarence A. Barbour president of market news bureau here, after Cham- War gardens in vacant lots. Draft ex- Rochester Theological Seminary. ber urging. emption boards! If flat feet don't excuse City's official population 248,465; E. P. Reed Shoe Co. fifty years old. you maybe "essential industry" job will. Chamber says it's 1st in state and 8th in Chamber's new city directory com- C. of C. helps city raise 1 million dollars U. S. in home ownership. George W . mittee starts by getting married women's for Red Cross war work. Industry and Todd is president. names into the book. Women suffrage business urged to curtail waste of groups say "amen" but newspapers energy, products, time. Cut down on hoot and howl. help and deliveries to release men and President Wilson's train stops briefly. vehicles for patriotic service. Cut down marchers. Looks like He gets big reception. on everything! Except war! we're going into World War. Industrial Management Council born Old Park Ave. Baptist church be- We've already got something resem- at C . of C. with 43 firms as charter mem· comes Temple Beth El. bers A "George W." is president of Bausch & Lomb erect new buildings Chamber for third successive year. This covering entire city block on east side of time his last name's Robeson.

war on Germany Apnl 6, and Rochester starts mobilizing . its citizens and resources at once. National Guardsmen back from Mexican border Third (present) home of Chamber, 1917. service just, in time to get ready for On the march-to World War. B. R. & P. RAILWAY DEPOT

save power. Retail Merchants' Council Annual auto show cancelled to ~save asks office and store lights be turned off light and power. . during peak load hours. Daylight Saving is born. C. of C. Private and parochial schools close, favors it as wartime means of conserving temporarily, to conserve coal. gas and electricity. Great influenza epidemic takes many Sugar is rationed; sherbets and ices lives here. City quarantined for month. banned. Chamber supplies motor transport ser- Chamber fighting tooth and nail vice for volunteer nurses. against counter-move at Albany to dis- Walter Rauschenbusch, world famous band newly created State Police; forms sociologist, dies. War Information Comm. to tell truth "War Chest" campaign (forerunner about the war. Idea spreads throughout Volunteer Red Cross workers country. prepare bandages. of Community Chest) raises$4,736,181. " The _war's over!" No, it was all a More quotas assigned for draft. City cruel mistake. But city will long remem- St. Paul St., and places entire facilities meets them and sends its best young ber its Nov. 7 "fake armistice" cele- at disposal of U. S. government; has men away to war. 6,000 employes. bration. Friendly Home moves from Alexander War Inventions Council of Chamber November 11-the Armistice is sign- St. to Pittsford. organized to stimulate new ideas for ed, and no mistake this time! City Hall Wheatless, meatless, sugarless days- modernizing warfare. bell rings the news at 4 a.m. Happy and lightless nights. Automobile funerals becoming quite days are here again-and what a day of Chamber kitchen dispenses with all common, and C. of C. thinks all restric- wild ·rejoicing it is. Downtown streets wheat flour and asks members to be tions against theni should be removed choked from curb to curb from sunrise patient with "slightly darker shade in by city cemeteries. to midnight with hilarious, jubilant, breads and pastry" caused by rye and Governor Whitman, Mayor Edgerton joy-crazed crowds. and Draft Boards guests at Expo and other substitutes. ' Sale of wheat flour without substitutes review first contingent ot draftees to New Barge Canal opens in Rochester again permitted; sugar rations increas- section. leave for war. ed and then lifted altogether; lightless Chamber makes yearlong fight for Hoarding develops here and there, night order suspended. tax on transient merchants to protect especially in sugar, wheat flour and Student Army Training Corps at home trade, and wins. coal. Few arrests stop most of it. U. of R. demobilized. Bill creating State Police (Troopers) Bread rations fixed at 2 ounces per Commercial Travelers' Council or- passes at Albany. Long agitated by meal;-only 20 ounces of beef per week. ganizes at C. of C. C. of C. City turns Expo Park over to Army for Granger A. Hollister is Chamber Rochester Dental Dispensary dedi- hospital and training purposes. president. cated. C. of C. sends 2 carloads of apples Common Council votes $50,000 for (320 bbls.) to Rochester soldiers in war work. France; cooperates to enforce "Wheat- National Safety Council picks Roch- less" Monday and Wednesday, "Meat- Mercier, Belgian pri- ester as "laboratory city" to develop and less" Tuesday and "Porkless" Saturday. mate; and greets King Albert and Queen test world-wide traffic safety program. Union and Advertiser and Evening Elizabeth of Belgium as they pass Chamber moves 3,000 members Times consolidate as Times-Union under through. and 34 committees into new St. Frank E. Gannett. American Legion holds first . state Paul St. building, October 2, with A. Edwin Crockett acting secretary of convention here. four-day ceremonies and Harper Chamber following resignation of Mr. Radio comes of age-first high power Sibley as president. Lord North- Woodward to become Symington Co. broadcast (KDKA, Pittsburgh) heard cliffe, noted B ritish publisher, executive. here on " whisker" crystal sets. speaks. Four "Liberty Loans" raise quotas. George Eastman gives schools _$15,000 worth of band instruments. War drags on. Con- Mayor Edgerton starts move to :Ouy _ . servation of resources is old Erie Canal bed for subway, and the order of the day. signs ordinance permitting Sunday 1913U.S. Fuel Administrator cuts off 90% baseball. of city's industrial coal supply, but later, Memorial mass meeting honors those at Chamber request, modifies order. who died in war. Chamber participates. All Germans over 14 years must Real estate is bo~ming! Monroe Ave. register with U. S. Marshal Lynn. brickyards turned into enormous Home Half city'ss street lights ordered out to First Liberty l.oan parade. Acres, and other residential tracts LOWER RIVER GORGE

crowd one another for development on Kodak buys Woodworth Bldg. in dustries and acquired 16 new ones this city's outskirts. State St., and George Eastman goes to year; organizes Council for Better Campaign for Community Chest Japan with American commission. Citizenship. raises $1,257,548.19. Chamber organizes 2,000 foreign- Revised census figures give Monroe Rochester units of 27th Division return born and children for mammoth Home- County 352,034 population. home from war. More pandemonium! lands Exposition and pageant at Expo Chamber's transportation bureau re- Chamber sponsors Fourth of July Park; 160,000 attend in 10 days. organizes. mass meeting attended by 6,000. Several Rochester World War vets Community Chest, pledges total Symington-Anderson munitions plant . decorated with croix de guerre. $1,169,833.81. becomes U. S. Arsenal. Erie Canal feeder ceded to city for Jeremiah G. Hickey, Chamber's Burke's store reopened by E. W. highway (Harbor Boulevard). president. Edwards & Son. Aviation becomes less a sport and Allied Missions (outstanding men more a business. C. of C. wants city to City takes title to old from Belgium, France, Great Britain acquire Britton land out Scottsville Road Erie Canal bed for sub- and Italy) entertained here. for municipal flying field. way - thus providing politicall92 campaignl issue for years to Alling & Cory paper house has cen· Citizens' Bank and. Union Trust Co. tennial. consolidate. come. Foreign Trade Bureau of Chamber Chamber raises $288,893 to buy land U. of R. decides on Oak Hill site for organized. for George Eastman's addition to new new men's college, and long time dream George Eastman is giving a theater St. Paul St. quarters. of George W. Todd comes true. and school of music to U. of R. Hochstein School of Music founded. Chamber holds first New Citizens' War tanks stage sham.battle beyond First cargo boats unload at new Barge supper, Washington's Birthday. Culver Road and Flying Circus comes, Canal terminal, bringing sugar and Jefferson Jr. high school dedicated. to help boost Victory Loan. "ivory" nuts for buttons. Massachusetts gave Ontario Beach to Swiss Economic Mission entertained Chamber acts to relieve house short- Indians; now wants Rochester to "pay by C. of C. foreign trade comm. age caused by influx of war workers and up or give up." Rochester Railway and Light becomes lack of building; also appoints city Roland B. Woodward returns to C. of Rochester Gas & Electric Corp. planning comm. and asks City Planning C. as secretary. Municipal bathhouse erected at Bureau be created. Appears certain we'll have municipal Durand-Eastman Park, Chamber-backed. Sir Oliver Lodge brings London dock and terminal bldg. at Charlotte Chamber sponsors 11 courses in psychic thoughts and "Ectoplasms" to harbor; Chamber pushing it hard. health education for women; 550 attend Convention Hall. Motor bus lines now take you most each course. Lawrence Hickson is radio broadcast- anywhere, and Rochester motor terminal Italians give captured Austrian field ing from his garage. opens. Street car company going in for gun to city for mounting in Washington Bell and Rochester Telephone Cos. buses too. Square. combine. Edward G. Miner appointed to serve Fidelity Trust Co. closes doors; moves Eamon DeValera, former Rochester on International C. of C. across 4 Corners to join Rochester boy who "makes good" as president of General Diaz of Mexico and William Trust and Safe Deposit. Irish Free State, visits mother and speaks Howard Taft come to town. Theodore Roosevelt is dead and C. of here. Dollar Day becomes city-wide affair, C. memorial meeting brings out 3,000. Keller-Heumann-Thompson join forces with Retail Merchants' Council help. Chamber's postal comm. gets parcel in clothing industry. Train stopping device to prevent post service for city on five trains each Swiss Economic Council of 50 guests wrecks invented by Alfred Ruthven; way, instead of previous one. of Chamber. passes tests on B. R. & P. First observance of Armistice Day. Ritter dental x-ray introduced. Brown St. subway under Central C. of C. forms Aviation Committee, is C. of C.'s industrial development tracks opens. instrumental in producing 200-foot comm. reports city enlarged 13 old in- Value of real estate in Monroe County channel for Barge Canal from G. V. increases 58 million over last year. Park to Court St. terminal, and has Chamber proud of its Safety Coun- Charles C. Beahan as president. cil's accident prevention work, which saves autoists $50,000 on new insur- ance rates. W. Roy McCanne is presi- Worst snow storm in 25 dent. years, if you can belieeve those who cla1m to Prohibition! Fi rs t know. Anyway, it's a blinger! "speakeasy" proprietor City gets street car service-at-cost convicted. contract; but from now on 7 cents.buys Police start "tagging" autos; motorists what .used to take a nickel. Worst snow storm in 25 years, 1920. start "fixing" tags. ERIE DEPOT ABOUT 1891

Supreme Court says city can keep on Michaels, Stern & Co. has been mak- bathing at Ontario Beach, and Massa- ing men's clothing 50 years. chusetts can go fly a kite. Masons buy land for new temple at New Barge Canal and river both in E. Main and Prince. flood stage. Baptist Temple congregation. votes to Eastman Theater and School of Mu- erect $1,600,000 skyscraper church. sic open to public. George Eastman elected honorary life 2,183 foreign-born register in "Learn member of Chamber. Only two others, English" classes inspired by Chamber's so far, Rush Rhees and Jim Wadsworth. Council for Better Citizenship. Nation-wide conference of educators Roch. Female Charitable Society cele- Broad Street under construction (at Aqueduct). at Mechanics Institute. brates centennial. City to have freight switching railroad Interurban electric cars ordered off in Erie Canal bed, along with subway city streets. Good! 1923 passenger cars. "Stop and Go" traffic signals first E. Main sell at $15,000 Chamber organizes its Traffic Club, installed. per foot. . estimates population at 317,867 and has C. of C. un.dertakes quarterly surveys Brighton and Irondequoit reluctantly Louis S. Foulkes as president. of industry to minimize unemployment. give up 640 more acres to city. St. Peter's Presbyterian Church be- Coal shortage! City's supply cut 40 comes parking station. percent. Many burn coke. 1924 Chamber helps settle taxicab strike. Main Street. New game Cine-Kodak (amateur movies) intro- ...:._jumping the red light-invented. duced. The roof is on the old canal; Broad Snider Packing Co. and Electromatic Stre·et opens to traffic. typewriters start "clicking." First air mail collection from 2 special Berith Kodesh Temple has 75th anni- boxes downtown; Chamber's aviation versary. committee grins from ear to ear. F. B. Rae oil works burns; keeps fire- Community Players organize. men on job a week. Five-story annex to Eastman School of Old canal weighlock (present terminal site). Music begun. C. of C. good roads comm. favors City's first commercial radio station gasoline tax in place of license plate fee WHQ (later WHEC) gets 26th broad- for highway upkeep. State decides on casting license issued in U. S. (623 both. licensed stations in 1938) and goes on Miss Frances Baker gives 100 more the air for Lawrence Hickson and acres to G . V. Park; and George Times-Union. Gannett newspapers pres- Eastman and Dr. Durand increase ent radio station to Eastman School of size of Durand-Eastman. Music under call letters WHAM. Old Post-Express sold to Mr. Hearst, East end of new subway in old canal The subway's complete (Aqueduct). amid many a bitter tear. bed is begun. Two new newspapers-Evening Jour- Safety . Council pastes first safety nal and Sunday American. posters on sidewalk bulletin boards, and Chamber's transportation comm. ob- organizes junior safety patrols in schools. tains reduction in freight rates to First steam train operates on subway Pacific coast. tracks. Genesee Valley Trust Co. reorganizes. Republican state convention at Con- First water carnival at Genesee Val- vention Hall. ley Pk. Army engineers decide Irondequoit One-man street cars tried out; permit Bay won't do as a lake harbor. for crosstown trackless trolleys granted. Fay's Theater (now Capitol) burns. Vice-president Coolidge speaks at Chambers from all over state confer Chamber. here on "rising tide of state taxes and Consolidated Machine Tool Co. form- spending." ed. East Ave.-Pittsford bus line sold to City's export trade hits 10 million N. Y. State Railways. dollars, and Chamber has James E. Community Chest reaches goal, with Gleason as president. Rae oil works fire-burned a week. $1,301,068. OLD WARNER OBSERVATORY, EAST AVENUE

National Bank of Rochester formed polar plane, "Josephine Ford," visit from Traders and Bank of Commerce. here. Cornerstone laid for U. of R. college Presbyterian Home (Thurston Rd.) of medicine and dentistry. dedicated. First public service by one-man street C. of C. helps frame new building cars on Goodman-Emerson line; Driving code. Park Ave. gets trackless trolleys. Ninety-year-old B. M. Hyde drug store Chamber applauds Gas & Electric closes for good. plan for power dam at highbanks. Final contracts awarded for complete U. of R. raises 10 million lor new motorization of fire apparatus. plant. First ramp garage in city opens. Nazareth College for women opens. Union Trust and Merchants Bank Music appreciation via radio made merge. available to public schools. Folmer-Graflex Corp. "divorces" Ko- Convention Bureau reports 19 con- dak. ventions in 6 months, and Chamber has John Jacob Bausch, co-founder of Elmer E. Fairchild in president's chair. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., dies. Edward Bausch, son, becomes presi- Earthquake shock Ramsay MacDonald visits Rochester. dent. bhreaks a few dishes£ Retail Merchants' Credit Bureau, 1925 ere, scares 1ots o Freight terminal at Port of Rochester Sales Managers' Club, Statistical Bu- people out of their wits. urged by Chamber. reau, and Traffic Club born at Chamber. Rochester first city in state to accept Brick Church celebrates centennial. Heirs of Morton W. Rundel sue city in "home rule"; 24 aldermen become 9 First night flashlight pictures from effort to get library fund. State "Bull Moose" convention here. airplane taken here. U. S. Navy dirigible, Los Angeles, Rochester & Manitou trolley line Tenth state census gives us 316,786. passes over city. junked. Chamber members raise $50,000 Lincoln-Alliance Bank opens in new Work starts on addition to rear of new toward new home of U.S.C. of C., which home, Main and Stone Sts. St. Paul St. home of Chamber. opens this year in Washington. Herbert Mayor Clarence B. VanZandt dies in Last of city's giant redwood trees W. Bramley is president. office. (winter killed) gets the axe in Mt. Hope Community Chest campaign nets Ave. $1,359,731. Local customs receipts $1,583,644; Automatic traffic lights Charlotte harbor officially designated 1925 supplant towers-and break all records. r Port of Rochester; result of Chamber trolley fare goes to 8c. Sunday sports with admission charge, efforts. Strong Memorial and new Municipal legalized. Chamber seizes on first Metropolitan hospitals open. C. of C. successfully prosecutes Opera performance here, Lilac Sunday, "Daylight Saving" enacted-but not famous Rochester railroads "switching and broadcast of Philharmonic concerts for long. case." to advertise city; discovers we have First experimental mail flight Roeh- Ground broken for Court House gained 25,250 population in 5 years. ester to Cleveland, and city hears first addition. John F. Dinkey, president. City accepts George Eastman's loan radio broadcast from airplane. Munici- of old Cluett-Peabody (Kimball Tobacco) pal Airport is on the way, thanks to C. of C. and others. First public showing of factory in Court Street as City Hall "talking" movies at Morning Herald of Louis M. Antis- annex-winged mercury included. Baptist Temple. Radio station WHQ becomes WHEC dale taken over by Democrat & Chroni- in Hickson store at 36 South Ave. cle. City Manager charter approved by Grippe epidemic takes hold here. voters, and non-partisan elections estab- Homeopathic Hospital changes name lished. to "Genesee." Chamber entertains 100 Latin-Ameri- can editors and business men. City annexes Brighton's abandoned canal lands. J.Y.M.A. buys new site, Andrews and North Sts. County Park Commission created. General Umberto Nobile, Italian war River ca:m'pus of U. of R. from airplane. ace; and Commander Byrd and his Proposed civic center of late 1920's. Motorization of fire department com- Roland B. Woodward becomes execu- plete. tive vice-president of Chamber. Her- Enlarged C. of C. building at St. Paul man Russell is president. and Mortimer Sts. dedicated. Col. Lindbergh and "Spirit of St. Louis" visit city; Britton Field is going to 1929 does be equipped as commercial airport, some damage here; partly due to Chamber. affects 5 states. First electric passenger cars run City officially declared "safest" in through subway. U.S.; Chamber's Safety Council gets First Monroe County park (Ellison) Thomas A. Edison a visitor in Rochester as national banner to prove it. dedicated. George Eastman's guest First Rochester Civic Orchestra con- Rochester Theater (Loew's) opens. certs for school children. Dr. Algernon Sidney Crapsey, "last Premier MacDonald of Great Britain Edison, Pershing, Ochs, and other of the heretics," dies. stops and chats on way through city. New Turn-Verein building opens. notables' visit George Eastman at 900 East Avenue. 43 German scientists and business Radio station WHAM leaves School of leaders inspect our industries. Cornerstone of new Masonic Temple Music for Stromberg-Carlson. First Country-City dinner of farm and (E: Main) laid. James G. Cutler, Chamber founder urban leaders at Chamber. and one of 4 honorary members, dies. First community Music Festival at Convention Hall, promoted by Council Hooray! City says taxpayers can pay St. Paul's Episcopal Church 100 years in two installments. for Better Citizenship. old. . New hilltop (Goodman St.) site of First Rochester-New York passenger Ferryboat "Windsor," 30 years old, makes its last 200-foot "voyage" across Colgate-Rochester Divinity School dedi- airplane flight, and first air meet at cated; Rev. Albert W. Beaven becomes river mouth. Britton Field. president. = Sisters of Mercy start new convent Frank E. Gannett buys Democrat & Genesee Valley Trust puts up "wings Chronicle. and high school. of progress" building; First National Democratic state convention here. Republican state convention here. Bank and Trust Co. chartered. Chamber obtains anthracite rate Union Trust absorbs National Bank of Aw, gee! No more fireworks in city equalization after 4-year struggle. Rochester. on July 4, by order of Council. Street car fares upped to 9 cents. First special activities campaign raises City buys old Charlotte blast furnace Community Chest and Home Bureau $90,000 for Chamber work. for harbor terminal facilities. open quarters in enlarged C. of C. Final court decision gives city undis- Chamber committee to give full atten- Knights of Columbus building dedi- puted possession of million-dollar Run- tion to what happens (or vice versa) in cated. del library fund. Congress. Stephen B. Story chosen first city WHEC starts broadcasting from Ter- WHEC moves to new Rochester Sav- manager. minal Bldg. ings Bank building. Chamber trying to rid our streets of State G.A.R. convenes here. Supervisors authorize further devel- mendicants ("peddlers," if you must). Community Conference Board con- opment of county park system, and park Commander Richard E. Byrd visits ducts winter work campaign which nets commission buys Powder Mill site. Expo. 43,790 days' employment. Lilac Sunday becomes "Lilac Week" Harold H. Clapp starts making baby C. of C. investors' protective comm. under Chamber auspices, and people foods. has city-wide campaign to teach sound come from 20 states to look and smell New Industries Bureau of C. of C. investment principles. and marvel. reports 21 new industries or expan- Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Francis O'Hern sions this year. Edward A. Halbleib, becomes city's third Catholic bishop. president. Mechanics Institute (and Rochester Athenaeum) celebrates centennial. Rochester Boy Scouts in England for Airport," with 100 first world jamboree. pounds of mail for first regular postal Police go to Auburn to help quell flight. prison rio t. City Manager charter effective Jan. l. Toddy Corp., employing 200, brought Henry C. Brewster, last survivor of here by New Industries Bureau of Cham- original founders of Chamber and for- ber. mer president, dies. Community Chest raises $1,515,864. Old Corinthian Theater torn down for Council votes $3,250,000 for river parking lot. Hall-million-dollar sleet storm, 1929. bridge at Ridge Road. ROCHESTER ATHENAEUM AND MECHANICS INSTITUTE

Benjamin Franklin High School under John Adams Lowe becomes city construction. librarian. City establishes Fire Prevention Bu- Rochester has more than 1,000 indus- reau at Chamber request. trial plants with yearly output valued at Rochester Maennerchor 75 years old. 242 million, Chamber finds. Wesley Bishop Woods of Winchester, Eng- M. Angle is president. land, speaks at Chamber. First bus service replaces street cars in Plymouth Ave. Sleet storm does half million damage, 1932 H1ram W. S1bley (son ruins hundreds of city's finest trees. of founder of Western Union) die. First non-partisan primary. Cyclone tears path through city, with Chamber begins talk of new post- record-breaking havoc. office, takes pride in city export trade Arthur Brisbane and Edward Bausch, 1931. Historic Reynolds Arcade demolished amounting to $21,855,000 (more than for new structure. doubled in 7 years) and has Frederick S. Miller as president. Credit Bureau of Rochester formed at city's oldest street car C. of C. by merger two established line (Mt. Hope-Exchange) and Rochester agencies. of U. of and Syracuse line. Sodus Bay line sold Captain Henry Lomb memorial shaft unveiled. City has first Lilac at auction for junk, and last cars run Queen to "rule" Lilac Week. over Buffalo, Lockport and Rochester City's contingent of "Bonus Army" marches on Washington. First night mail flight from. Rochester tracks. airport. Veteran's Memorial (Ridge Rd.) and Dr. George W. Galer quits Health Kodak adds three floors to State St. Bausch Memorial (reconstructed Smith Bureau after 35 years. office and has tallest building in city. St.) bridges open. Rochester Gas & Electric Corp. re- 15 Japanese business men inspect Rochester Episcopal diocese e.stab- financed by local capital. city's plants. lished with Rt. Rev. David Lincoln Ferris "Rattlesnake Pete" Gruber dies. Fire destroys Ward's Natural Science as bishop. WHEC becomes Gannett newspapers Establishment. Chamber's statistical bureau begins station. Chamber's fire prevention comm. monthly published survey of business. New Colgate-Rochester 'Divinity conducts first school for watchmen. Hyde Park and Cumberland St. School dedicated. Mayor Joseph C. Wilson dies in selected as site for new postoffice. Chamber appoints permanent Lilac office. B. R. & P. R. R. taken over by Balti- Festival comm. "Gipsy" Smith, noted English evan- more & Ohio. Railroad Y.M.C.A. opens new home gelist, holds revival at Convention Hall. Rossiter Johnson, world famed author- in Hyde Park. Rochester and Eastern and Sodus Bay editor and founder of Society of the Mayor Charles S. Owen nominated trolley lines abandoned. Genesee, dies. by G.O.P. for state comptroller; Dr. 124 foreign delegates to 6th Inter- Industrial Management Council (C. John F. Vichert runs for governor on national Roads Congress in Washington of C.) announces 14 city firms to create Law Preservation ticket. guests of Chamber. unemployment benefit plan. Curtailed budget necessitates closing U. S. census gives city 328,122 in- branch libraries. habitants and county, 423,881. Cornerstone laid for new Monroe Gilbert J. C. McCurdy is Chamber County Home and Infirmary. We haven't Chamber robbed and Detective Wood- president. heard the end of this! head slain by Joseph K. Grant. Rochester Savings Bank 100 years First bank holdup in city; Portland old. Clifford branch of Lincoln-Alliance rob- C. of C. foreign trade comm. brings bed of $3,000 in daylight. 60 delegates from Washington meeting Community Chest raises $1,107,377, of Pan-American Commercial Confer- but is short almost quarter million. ence to city. City wins national health award for 130 U.S. Army airplanes visit us. 1931; C. of C. health preservation Arthur Brisbane, noted editor, ad- comm. gets much credit. dresses record crowd at Chamber. Partisan municipal elections restored. Teletype weather forecasts installed Chamber organizes its Women's at airport. Group, draws first place in state fire Rochester Chapter of American Red prevention survey, and has Daniel N. Veterans' Memorial bridge under construction. Cross (second in U. S.) is 50 years old. Calkins as president. OLD LIGHTHOUSE AT CHARLOTTE

with 1,000 children participating, for Community Chest raises $900,000; Lilac Week festival. misses mark by 15 percent. 1933 4 days. C1ty uses scnp. Charlotte High School dedicated. G .A.R. holds national encampment Half million loss when 2 inches of rain Work starts on 8 Civil Works Ad- here. fall in half-hour cloudburst. ministration projects costing $400,000. Weekly pass on buses and street cars James M. Spinning succeeds Herbert City's clothing industry employs inaugurated; Council extends service- S. W eet as superintendent of schools. 7,500, produces $32,000,000 in goods, at-cost contract. City has "new deal" all its own; and pays workers 12 million-despite Retail Merchants Council fights N. Y. Percival Oviatt, mayor; Theodore Briggs, depression. State retail sales tax, and wins. city manager. C. of C. takes over Civic Improvement 22 from city attend Governor's crime N.R.A.'s blue eagle squawks! Big Association work, new committee ar- conference, and C. of C. starts com- parade. Gen. Hugh Johnson asks Cham- gues for Runde! Library in South Ave.; munity crime prevention organization. ber to organize "code" work here; calls organizes Crime Prevention comm.; First night illumination of the lilacs, average 22 per hour. gets 54 firms to hold Anti-Cold (in the installed by Chamber. New postoffice cornerstone laid by head) campaign; and has George E. Bogus Point (Lake Ontario) gives P. M. General Farley. Francis as president. Hemlock and artesian wells a tussle for City survives first and second milk water rights when city's supply runs strikes. low due to drought. Kodak sells us some Chamber organizes Young Men's of its surplus lake water for a while, and Council. 1934 sub-zero weather estab- Council almost (but not quite) has citi- WHAM opens new high power trans- lishes all time low. zens drinking it for good. mitter. Townsend old age pension plan hits Aplo Clothing Co. moves here from Miss Kate Gleason, world famous city_:just as dime (or what have you) New York; C. of C. in_dustrial develop- industrialist, dies. get-rich-quick chain letter craze sub- ment bureau mops brow and smiles. First Methodist Church goes up in sides. flames; and congregation merges with Howard Hanson's opera, "Merry- Asbury. mount," performed in New York and Chamber levels city-wide accident here. prevention drive at jay-walkers; "Live- New postoffice opens; much glee at a-Little Longer" classes stop, after 18 Chamber. years. A Century on Parade! Our city (in- Community Chest nets $952,489; 13 corporated) is 100 years old. Puts on percent short of goal. "Pathways of Progress" pageant. City mourns death of Bishop O'Hern; Alas and alack! They're tearing down Rt. Rev. Edward Mooney becomes fourth the old Lyceum Theater. Catholic bishop. Republican state convention here. International Business Machines Corp. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt comes to Main St. 100 Years After "The Cowpath" welcomed to city with banquet at town-but not for convention. Chamber. Marion B. Folsom goes to Washing- There's balm in Gilead! Prohibition First fingerprint clinic for Dept. of ton to help President Roosevelt plan repealed. Justice civil file instituted by C. of C. social security, and George E. Francis Federal Home Loan opens branch Mayor Leech of Rochester, England, continues as Chamber president. bank here. and Rene de Chambrun, great grand- Chamber arranges first downtown son of Lafayette, here to help us cele- floral float parade and music program brate centennial. City completes $22,- President Green of A. F. of L. speaks 622,400 work program to clothing workers' convention. 1935 to provide jobs for un- P.W.A. swamps Chamber's alien employed. info. bureau with 3,523 job-seekers try- State puts end to Bogus Point water ing to prove citizenship. controversy by rejecting lake water, National Flower and Garden Show at and city gives up Honeoye Lake project Edgerton Park. as too expensive. Anyway, Hemlock is Emma Goldman visits city, from filling up again. Nice squabble while it which once expelled. lasted! Federal funds for highways here Chamber directory comm. wants doubled through Chamber intercession; house numbers more in evidence. and city directory now indicates home City sends help to sufferers in $10,- Oxford St. in Magnolia Time ownership, same cause. 000,000 southern tier flood. UPPER FALLS IN "FLOUR CITY" DAYS

Cornerstone of Runde! Memorial Bad floods up the valley. Airport enlargement and improve- Library laid. Noise abatement stressed by city and ment begun. Dr. Basil Maclean heads Strong Chamber. Odenbach Hofbrau (1909) closes for Memorial Hospital. Jose Iturbi becomes conductor of good. Federal Housing Adm. O.K.'s $300,- Rochester Philharmonic. Forty-seventh new citizens' supper at 000 building project in Elmwood Ave. Most everybody gets a social security Chamber. American Legion holds state conven- number. City's first policewoman, Nellie Mc- tion here. 54 European engineers visit local in- Elroy, dies after 23 years' service. Commerce Club organized by C. of dustries, guided by Foreign Trade Archbishop Mooney goes to Detroit; C., and first school for town officers held comm. Most Rev. James Kearney becomes fifth at Chamber. Harper Sibley re-elected president, Catholic bishop here. Alan Valentine succeeds Rush Rhees U. S. Chamber. New traffic code allows 35-miles-an- as U. of R. prexy. Runde! Library opens to public. hour on arterial highways. New Elmwood Ave. bridge opens. Chamber's civic improvement comm. Only a handful of street cars left. First public showing of Kodachrome, favors Mortimer St. widening. It's done. Buses take over Park-University line. natural color film, at Commerce Club; Judge Gitelman starts week-end jail Front Street has face lifted. First re- Kodak Park gets another $400,000 terms, and drunken drivers are sobered. paving there' in 39 years. building. Community Chest again makes its Gannett Newspaper Foundation an- quota. Over 25 million raised since nounced. start. W.P.A. approves $1,369,360 for Air- Airport officially designated port of port improvement; Chamber urged it. entry, with Chamber urging. Harper Sibley elected president of Relief costs city and county U. S. Chamber. million this year, Earthquake shakes us again. Police Training School at U. of R. M. Herbert Eisenhart president of founded with C. of C. help; also brings Bausch & Lomb; Frank W. Lovejoy, air mail here direct from New York for ditto at Kodak. first time. Heavy snow makes prospects for John Marshall high school dedicated. New fire headquarters, 1937. Xmas business bad, until C. of C. gets Health conservation comm. of Cham- Meeting of American Chemical Soci- city to put on extra help to clear it away ber wants women's heels lowered. ety brings world notables. (the snow); sends apple pies to Congress Lilac Festival put on loud speakers. Test case paves way for women as publicity stunt. John P. Boylan, Dexter Perkins becomes city historian. jurors. president. Samuel T. Nivling is Chamber presi- Historic St. Patrick's Cathedral steps dent. aside for business; Kodak buys it. Drought again! No rain Eight-point buck deer takes death for solid month. Record leap from Veterans' bridge. Floods - everywhere high temperature, 102. National Academy of Science con- Franklin D. Roosevelt makes campaign but here! City given venes here. speech here. First time a President in $32,000 quota for Red Livingston Park Seminary, old land- office has visited us in 25 years. Cross relief work; raises $71,000. mark, becomes gospel mission. Alf M. Landon, G.O.P. candidate, $300,000 fire in new Aplo Clothing National Municipal League brings here too. Co. factory makes 1,500 temporarily galaxy of famous people to city. jobless. Young Men's Council of Chamber Arthur S. Robinson, hero of western publishes first factual study of county air crash, gets radio award for bravery. government. Medical Society of state holds big Campaign to bring Auburn Theo- convention at Chamber. logical Seminary here. Council paves way for first apartment Chamber reports good Xmas trade in exclusive East Ave. district. despite "recession," and plans to cele- Powers Hotel, opened 1883 by Daniel brate its Golden Jubilee in January, Powers, sold to Knott chain. 1938. Marion B. Folsom is president. Hearst newspapers in Rochester ex· pire. Rochester Chamber Salesmen's Club organized at C. of of Commerce cele- C., and National Defense comm. plays brates its 50th anni- major role in sesqui-centennial Consti- versary (Jan. 24, 26 and 27). and Flood and ice make ''tough going" up valley, 1936. tution Day ceremonies. issues this Golden Jubilee Almanac. . j ,TODAY AND

sands of time run through the glass and And how much cooperation has achieved for Rochester is best give us Yesterday-Today-and Tomorrow. seen by visualizing the Rochester of fifty years ago. The preceding pages of this Golden Jubilee The city market in 1888 was located in 'the triangle at Main, Almanac are more than entertaining record- North and Franklin Streets. Directly opposite was the Farmers' ings of Yesterday. Hotel on the site ot what is now one of our large commercial establishments. About a mile east on Main St. from this point They have made possible the present. They nursery farms flourished. are the basic structure of the future. East Ave. was poorly paved and 'in wet weather was a veritable In that kaleidoscopic record there are intermingled the prayers mud road. Beyond Oxford St. it degenerated into little more than a and tears, the hopes and fears, the disasters and the triumphs- trail. And in winter it was the scene of spirited racing between indeed, all the human emotions and strivings of a community horse-drawn cutters. working for a better and happier way of life.

You must look beneath the surface, dear reader, to find the real Only horse cars provided public transportation. From various meaning of this brief but human record. directions they ran to the Four Corners where they were switched around on a turntable; and at midnight the cars were put up for It requires planning plus cooperative effort to improve the life the night, so that late sojourners had to hire a rig or walk to their of any community. The growth which this narrative records did destination. In fact, shortly after this time there was a public de- not just happen. It was planned and worked for by many splendid mand that cars should run long enough after midnight to accom- citizens who did their bit in their day. modate the theatre-goers.

And thus it shall continue to be if we are to go forward by plan- Rochester was then known as the Flour City. Its 31 mills could ning and cooperation-bit by bit, year by year-so that when grind 1,000,000 barrels of flour a year and thus take care of the another fifty years have been told by another Poor Richard, Roch- abundant wheat crop of the fertile Genesee country. Rochester ester will be more beautiful, more useful, happier and wiser than was one of the country's great milling centers. Water power sup- we have been able to make it. plied by the falls of the Genesee had no competition from the Rochester, in 1888 when its population was 125,000, no less later developed and more economical electric power. than in 1938 when 337,000 persons reside within its confines, has The migration of this industry to the West had only begun, but been made up of an unusually large percentage of people with as the broader and flatter acres of that region permitted planting vision . . . people who recognize that their welfare and that of on a vast scale and also the employment of large machines for their families and businesses depend on a prosperous, progressive reaping, binding and threshing this migration continued uncheck- city. ed until one by one the mills on the Genesee ceased to grind. They have recognized that working alone they could do littie; In addition to its prominence as a milling center at the time this working together they could accomplish much. chronicle begins, Rochester was known as a Flower City and for From the day in 1888 when a number of them put this theory the manufacture of shoes and clothing. Manufacture of clothing into practice by forming the Rochester Chamber of Commerce to was carried on by 20 firms employing between 5,000 and 6,000 the present this spirit has continued. persons. Today there are half that number of concerns, but they

POPULATION GROWTH HAS BEEN STEADY BIRTH RATE ADVANCES--THEN DROPS AN EARLY SHOE FACTORY employ. 10,000 persons, and their products sell for more than In 1888 the city's population was around 125,000. At approxi- $30,000,000 a year. mately the half-way mark, i.e., in 1910, the figure had progressed to 218,000, and in 1938 it is estimated at 337,000. Many of the concerns which today give employment to thou- sands, and send their products all over the world, were either The city now no longer stops at its political boundaries but relatively small, or had not yet been founded. The optical industry includes an area officially defined and recognized by the Bureau had come a long way from the tiny eye-glass factory started by of the Census as the Metropolitan District. Briefly described, this John Bausch and Capt. Henry Lomb. It had made considerable is an area so closely linked with the city through economic, cul- progress in the manufacture of microscopes ·under the inventive tural, and social ties as to constitute with it an integrated economic genius of Edward Bausch, but it had made only a start in the march unit. This metropolitan district has a population of 423,000. to its present proportions. And the great photographic industry for which the city is today pre-eminent was just an infant. In any consideration of a city's population certain factors should It is significant that the period beginning in 1888 saw a number be mentioned. These concern births, deaths, and marriages. To- of important developments in the industrial, commercial, and civic gether with the number of persons who move into and out of a city life of Rochester. But they were only beginning. these factors determine its population. It was a time for many incorporations, so we read in the fore- In 1888 there were 2,064 births or 16.53 per 1000 persons. going pages of our Almanac that the Rochester Homeopathic Hos- In 1910 there were 5,219 births, or 23.01 per 1000. In 1937 the pital {now the Genesee) was incorporated, as was the Rochester figure was 5,072 or 14.99 per 1000. Electric Railway, the Citizens Gas Co., the Hahnemann Hospital (now the Highland), the Rochester and Honeoye Railroad Co., the It will be seen, therefore, that the birth rate registered a decided Rochester Railway Co. and others. The Rochester Evening Times increase during the first period, but a decided decline in the was established. The Rochester Clearing House was organized. later period. Whether this situation augurs well or ill depends on The first Kodak camera was put on the market. The first dental one's point of view. chair was built by Frank Ritter. The Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Co. was founded. The number of deaths in 1888 was 2,079 or 16.65 per 1000 persons. It actually exceeded the number of births by 15; By The Lyceum Theater, now the site of an automobile parking 1910 a decidedly different condition existed for the deaths num- station housed its first performance. The Park Board .filed its first bered 3,287, or 15.12 per 1000, and were actually 1,932 less maps for the purchase of lands and thus laid the basis for Roch- than the number of births. In 1937 the number of deaths reached ester's present magnificent park system. A number of churches 3,476 or 10.36 per 1000 persons. This declining death rate is a were organized and dedicated, more than a dozen of them in three sure indication of improved health conditions. years including the Central Presbyterian, the Spencer Ripley Memorial, the Church of the Ascension, and Holy Rosary. In 1888, 1,058 couples were married, or 8.48 per each 1000 The first electric street car line began its journey to and from persons. In 1910 the number reached 2,290 and the rate increased Charlotte. Bicycle clubs sprang up. Rochester was already con- to 10.49 per 1000. In 1937 we find the number of couples to be sidered a Convention City with 46 conventions announced by the 2;955 and the rate to be 8.77. young Chamber of Commerce in one year. The Driving Park The make-up of the population is worth some consideration. bridge was opened. The voting machine was invented. And so we could recite numerous evidences that Rochester by In 1888 the city's inhabitants were in the main native born or 1888 had shown great progress since its incorporation in 1834; had come from the countries of northern Europe. yet its progress and growth in the past fifty years make it seem in retrospect a small village.

POPULATION In any narrative embracing fifty years of a city's life it is neces- sary to measure certain phases of its development in terms of figures or by statistics. We shall, however, use these sparingly. THE SPAN OF LIFE GROWS LONGER ROCHESTER FREE ACADEMY-1884

From that time on an increasing number came £rom southern point with pride to our splendid park system, our fine health and central Europe until about fifteen years ago when the quota record, our good schools and high educational standards, our laws definitely restricted immigration. relatively low crime record, our low fire loss ratio and other indices of good government? The coming of these foreign born presented certain problems in education and Americanization. And here again Rochester show- The criterion with respect to municipal expenditures is not so ed its ability to recognize a problem and work out its solution. much their size as their effective and wholesome application and School authorities set up classes in English for foreigners and classes their reasonable relation to the city's ability to pay. It is significant in civics to prepare for naturalization. Business men through the in this record that the business men of this community have advo- Council for Better Citizenship of the Chamber of Commerce cated improved municipal services. Thus, we find them sponsor- encouraged their foreign born employes to learn English and to ing a bigger and better park system for Rochester. They have con- become American citizens. An extensive program carried out by sistently advocated an adequate and wholesome water . supply. this Chambe;r department seeks to assimilate the foreign born into They have urged good roads, a better harbor, and an adequate the life of the community, inspiring in them a true sense of the airport. They have favored better education and have asked the responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship. schools to add certain courses. They have served on the Library and Museum Boards in order that these services might be improved. The foregoing is not to imply that business men have not been critical of various items of city expenditures. Through their Taxa- GOVERNMENT tion Committees they have analyzed budgets and have urged cer- tain deductions in line with ability to pay and with the relative Back in 1888 property in Rochester was assessed at $82 million. need. They have opposed certain capital expenditures as being By 1910 this valuation stood at $165 million. At present the untimely and unwise; and subsequent events have justified their figure is nearly $617 million. stand. They have favored a plan for the city and an orderly de- velopment of such a plan. And one of their sincere regrets is the This phenomenal increase might be stated in another way. In combination of circumstances which has made it possible to carry 1888 the assessed valuation per inhabitant was $662. In 1910 out only a small part of such a plan. it had stepped up to $750. In 1937 it was $1839, a three fold increase. If we are proud of this increase in'valuation, how shall we feel about the increase in the tax rate during these years? The combined city and county tax rate did increase decidedly INDUSTRY from $19.73 in 1888 to $22.95 in 1910 and to $37.05 in 1938. Shall we decry the rise in municipal expenditures from $1,333,- And what of the city's industries-the mills, the shops and the 000 in 1888 to $4,316,000 in 1910 and to $29,005,000 in 1937? factories whence comes the preponderant wealth of our citizens? Shall we likewise look askance at the growth of the city's debt Two main characteristics of these industries are easily discern- from $5,255,000 in 1888 to $10,619,000 in 1910, and to $63,- ible, their diversity, and the high quality of their products. 492,000 at present? Shall we criticize the rise in school costs from $20.14 per pupil in 1888 to $177.60 in 1937? Or shall we not In a recent survey of Rochester's industries it was found that the city's products fell into fifteen of the sixteen classifications recognized by the federal government. The last Buyers' Guide published by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce listed thousands of different articles made here. This indeed is diversity of product, and such diversity does much to eliminate seasonal unemploy- ment and to provide opportunity for all types of skills and aptitudes. Rochester has been blessed with an abundance of inventive genius. Here was invented the Kodak, together with film for the Kodak, THEY KEEP ON GETTING MARRIED for Hollywood, and for x-ray pictures. Here likewise was in- OLD BARTHOLOMAY BREWERY vented the laundry mangle and out of this invention grew a great Enlightened Commerce." How well this dedication has been ob- industry making equipment for laundries and dry cleaning served might more modestly be judged by others. In numerous establishments instances and in many publications tribute has been paid to the . vision and the elevated conception of social responsibility on the George B. Selden invented an automobile engine that was wide- part of Rochester's industries. ly used in the early days of that great industry. The water cart system for street cleaning was invented here and was first used on Oxford St. It was later adopted by all major cities. Gear cutting machinery, glass lined tanks, the dental chair, the iris diaphragm for photographic shutters, to mention only a few, TRANSPORTATION come from the genius of Rochester men. And to this day the Patent Office Gazette lists from five to twenty inventions each Transportation is especially vital to an industrial and commercial week by local men. city like Rochester, and, as we read the foregoing pages, we find several interesting nqtations from which the services of transporta- In the world of commerce Rochester products enjoy an outstand- tion as we know them today have developed. ing reputation for quality. Fine artisans, efficient equipment, ade- quate engineering and research combined with a traditional atti- In 1890 the Empire State Express made its first run through the tude have kept out the shoddy and the cheap. city witnessed by an enthusiastic throng. This was the first of the many fast trains that today give Rochester splendid passenger The industries of Rochester have grown for the most part from service to the East and the West. small local beginnings. Many of them are still managed by their founders or the latters' descendants. Our chronicle gives many In 1889 the first electric street car was operated and shortly dates on which concerns were founded. Yet. a goodly number of thereafter the horse cars were gradually eliminated. our present large concerns came from other places. Thus we note By 1901 the automobiie had become popular enough to merit among others, Symington Co., General Railway Signal Co., display advertising. Today more than 100,000 passenger and Pfaudler Co., Rectigraph Co., Bond Clothes, Hungerford Smith, J. commercial vehicles are registered in Rochester. In 1906 the first and now in process of construction, a division of General Motors interurban car ran from Rochester to Syracuse. High hopes were Corp. held for this form of transportation and for about twenty years these The industrial area known as Lincoln Park was developed by a hopes approached fulfillment, but the competition of the private group of Rochester business men for the purpose of locating indus- automobile became so strong that these cars had to be eliminated. tries here. In other instances the Industrial Development Com- By 1911 the airplane had developed to a point where Rochester mittee of the Chamber of Commerce rendered important aid in witnessed its first successful flight over the city. Then some fifteen bringing new industries to Rochester. years had to elapse before this form of transportation passed from In one of the halls of the Chamber of Commerce building ap- the stunt and spectacle stage to a commercial utility. pears the inscription "Dedicated to Community Progress through The next year recorded the memorable Lindbergh flight to Paris and his triumphal tour of the country. Rochester received him with unrestrained enthusiasm and this enthusiasm was advanta- geously used to create public demand for a modern airport. Today the Rochester airport is being extended and improved so that it will accommodate the gigantic passenger sleeper planes. Service is maintained by the American Air Lines to New York, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and the Pacific Coast. Transportation facilities and services have generally been ade- quately supplied by the various common carriers, but on occasions the city felt obliged to request that these facilities and services be improved.

18 8 8 1910 Then there is the matter of railroad rates as changed from time ASSESSED VALUATION INCREASES APACE to time by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Proposed changes have not always been favorable to Rochester shippers. Indeed, had certain proposals been made effective Rochester industries would have found it difficult to compete in certain territories with BANKING more fortunately situated competitors. In 1888 there were nine commercial banks, one private bank and four savings banks in Rochester. Some of these commercial The stand taken by any individual firm in reference to the matter banks have passed out of existence, while others have been merged of rates would not have proven effective; but united with other and are operating today under different names. The same sav- firms such a stand would command the attention of the Interstate ings banks exist today that existed fifty years ago. Two of our . Commerce Commission. largest trust companies today had not yet been founded. So it was deemed desirable to organize a Transportation Bureau The Rochester Clearing House Association was organized in in the Chamber of Commerce to handle such matters for the best 1890 and during the year cleared checks of a total value of $107,- interests of Rochester. For more than twenty years this bureau has 000,000. In 1910 the total amount of checks cleared reached made a study of all rate proposals as to their effect on Rochester's $211,000,000. For the year just ended the corresponding amount commerce. Briefs have been prepared and representatives of the was $394,483,000. This item of bank clearings is a good index of bureau have appeared in person to present Rochester's case; and the amount of business done in the city. The total amount on in many instances the bureau's intervention proved successful. deposit in the banks was $70,000,000 in 1888. By 1910 this The outstanding example was the famous Rochester switching case, amount had more than doubled, $146,000,000. At the present as a result of which, free switching service among all railroads writing the corresponding amount has reached about $350,000,000. entering the city was obtained with a saving to Rochester indus- tries and business concerns of many thousands of dollars each year. It is trite, but true, that without banks through which to clear Here is a splendid example of the effectiveness of studied and checks, to safeguard funds, and to provide capital, business would cooperative effort. be reduced to a condition of barter. Rochester is fortunate that its banking facilities have been adequate and efficient. Moreover, Rochester banks have been true to their trust to safeguard deposits, for in the fifty years covered by this chronicle not one cent of a depositor's money has been lost. This is a remarkable record when DISTRIBUTION we consider that during this period the country experienced three major financial crises. To manufacture goods and to transport them to the point of The events of 1933 are still fresh in the minds of all. With the need are only two steps in the process of getting these goods into banks closing in so many parts of the country it is a great tribute the hands of the user. A third step is necessary, distribution; to our financial institutions that they continued to serve their and this brings us to the subject of wholesale and retail trade. depositors up to the time the government ordered them to suspend Rochester's wholesale and retail establishments scour the mar- operations. It is a further tribute that all of them reopened as soon kets of the world to provide the necessities and the luxuries de- as they were permitted, and in the meantime they had met a manded by firms and individuals. Ample stocks are maintained shortage of currency by issuing $5,559,000 worth of Clearing for prompt delivery. Rare is the article which cannot be obtained House Certificates which circulated like regular money. These on short notice. Rochester stores maintain standards of stocks, certificates were redeemed in a few weeks but several thousand displays and service which are not surpassed by those of much dollars worth are still outstanding and will probably be kept as larger cities. souvenirs. So important a phase of modern economic life as distribution presents problems of its own. Store hours, better trained personnel, legislation affecting taxes, the routing of street traffic are only examples of these problems. Again the effectiveness of concerted action in solving such problems has been demonstrated through the Chamber department known as the Retail Merchants Council. Store hours have been consistently reduced. Courses in sales- manship have been established. Better window displays have been encouraged; all with the thought of providing better service 1 0 to the buyer. THE TAX RATE " GOES UP" CROSMAN SEEDHOUSE AND NURSERIES

Through these stations Rochester is connected with the principal broadcasting chains and is thus assured of local reception of the THE PRESS best programs. The two principal Rochester papers of today trace their descent back to 1826 and 1828. These papers, aided by a daily legal paper, a German daily, several foreign language weeklies, an English weekly for Jewish readers, and a Catholic weekly, bring to Rochester readers the news of the world and also a considerable CULTURAL amount of educational and entertaining material. We have talked of manufacturing and distribution; of research It is a far cry from the equipment of a paper of 50 years ago to and invention; of transportation and of other things that serve in- that of today. For example, the printing press of the Democrat dustry and commerce. But vital as they are to the life of. a great and Chronicle and the Times-Union is 114 feet long, and can be city they alone would leave an important void. operated as a single unit, or as two, three, or four separate presses. Man does not live by bread alone. Neither does a city. To have It can turn out 30,000 copies of a 64-page newspaper in an hour. a rounded life a city' must look· after its cultural facilities, its Ink is purchased in tank car lots and totals some 250 tons per character-building agencies, its recreational services and its edu- year. More than 50 tons of newsprint paper are used each day. cational opportunities. In the composing rooms are batteries of linotype, monotype· and typograph machines. Aiding in the preparation of an interesting How has Rochester met these responsibilities? The answer lies paper are the equipment for photographing, electrotyping and in our splendid musical programs available at small cost; in the engraving. city's excellent library service; in the character-building organiza- The principal news services such as Associated Press, United tions such as the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the K. of C ., the J.Y.M.A., all adequately housed and staffed; in the fine city and county Press, International News Service, are used by Rochester papers, parks; in the splendid educational institutions ranging from the assuring their readers up-to-the-minute news from all parts of the grade schools, both public and parochial, through the high schools, world. the commercial and semi-technical schools and the colleges. As the supreme example of this development stands the University of Rochester. Amply financed, well equipped, adequately staffed and blest with a vision of its place in the community this institution RADIO reflects credit upon its founders, its patrons, its officers, its teachers and its students. The most recent form of communication, the radio, is well Like a thread through the chronicle runs the question: "Have all represented in Rochester, with three broadcasting stations and a these fine achievements been a matter of fortuitous circumstance, short wave experimental station. Such facilities were not thought or has there been some spirit to inspire and guide them with an of fifty years ago. eye always to the good of the city?" One of our stations operates on 50,000 watts and is one of the The answer seems clear. The vision and cooperation of the twenty-five most powerful in the country. Another station operates organized business and civic leaders of this city have played a on 1,000 watts during the day and 500 watts during the everting. large part in making this a city that is "set on a hill." From the The third operates on 100 watts and is largely local in character. record of fifty years we may draw inspiration and face the years that are to come with courage and confidence . ....

= 1888 19 1 0 18 8 8 19 1 0 BANK DEPOSITS, AN INDEX OF WEALTH PRODUCTS REFLECT INDUSTRIAL GROWTH