Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection 24tM //I SMORt \ 21 / - _~X rcrnu ((^<^ 1 |a«5y 1 ^ •i--' Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection n I zi Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection ROCHESTER JLND MONROE COUNTY A HISTORY AND GUIDE Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection BRYANT B \ K E R NATHANIEL ROCHESTER Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection AMERICAN GUIDE SERIES ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION STATE OF NEW YORK SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER AND THE GENESEE BOOK CLUB PUBLISHED BY SCRANTOM'S, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection COPYRIGHT, 1937 by the GENESEE BOOK CLUB of Rochester Printed by THE PRINTING HOUSE OF LEO HART Rochester, New York Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection THEIR WEDDING JOURNEY "It is an enchanted city," mused Basil, aloud, as they wan- dered on, "and all strange cities are enchanted . Rochester is for us, who don't know it at all, a city of any time or country, moonlight, filled with lovers hovering over piano-fortes, of a palatial hotel with pastoral waiters and porters,—a city of hand- some streets wrapt in beautiful quiet and dreaming of the golden age. The only definite association with it in our minds is the tragically romantic thought that here Sam Patch met his fate. "And who in the world was Sam Patch?" "Isabel, your ignorance of all that an American woman should be proud of distresses me. Have you really, then, never heard of the man who invented the saying, 'Some things can be done as well as others,' and proved it by jumping over Niagara Palls twice! Spurred on by this belief, he attempted the leap of the Genesee Falls. The leap was easy enough, but the coming up again was another matter. He failed in that. It was the one thing that could not be done as well as others." "Dreadful!" said Isabel, with the cbeerfullest satisfaction. "But what has all that to do with Rochester?" "Now, my dear! You don't mean to say you didn't know that the Genesee Falls were at Rochester? Upon my word, I am ashamed. Why, we're within ten minutes walk of them now." "Then walk to them at once!" cried Isabel, wholly unabashed, and in fact unable to see what she had to be ashamed of. ' 'Actually, I believe you would have allowed me to leave Rochester without telling me the falls were here, if you hadn't happened to think of Sam Patch." WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS. (1871) Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection AMERICAN GUIDE SERIES FOREWORD OCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY is one of the publications in the American Guide Series, written by R-members of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration. Designed primarily to give useful em- ployment to needy unemployed writers and research workers, this project has gradually developed the ambitious objective of present- ing to the American people a portrait of America—its history, folklore, scenery, cultural backgrounds, social and economic trends, and racial factors. In one respect, at any rate, this undertaking is unique: it represents a far-flung effort at cooperative research and writing, drawing upon all the varied abilities of its personnel. All the workers contribute according to their talents; the field worker collects data in the field, the research worker burrows in libraries, the art and literary critics cover material relevant to their own specialties, architects describe notable historical build- ings and monuments; and the final editing of copy as it flows in from all corners of a state is done by the more experienced writers in the central offices. The ultimate product, whatever its jaults or merits, represents a blend of the work of the entire personnel, aided by consultants, members of university faculties, specialists, officers of learned societies, oldest residents, who have volunteered their services everywhere most generously. A great many books and brochures are being written for this series. As they appear in increasing numbers we hope the American public will come to appreciate more fully not only the unusual scope of this undertaking, but also the devotion shown by the workers, from the humblest field worker to the most accomplished editors engaged in the final rewrite. The Federal Writers' Project, directed by Henry G. Alsberg, is in the Division of Women's and Professional Projects under Ellen S. Woodward, Assistant Administrator. (Signed) HARRY L. HOPKINS Administrator Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection AMERICAN GUIDE SERIES PREFACE V If ^\HE nature of the undertaking of which this book is one I of the fruits has been adequately described by Mr. Harry -^*- Hopkins in the foreword. It remains only for the editors to express their acknowledgements. Grateful acknowledgement is made to Mayor Charles Stanton, City Manager Harold W. Baker, and the City Council for sponsor- ing the book. The members of the Cooperating Advisory Committee have responded generously to every request for information and advice. The staffs of the University of Rochester library, the city library, the Rochester Historical Society, and the Museum of Arts and Sciences have been freely consulted. Special acknowledgement is due Dr. Dexter Perkins, city historian, and Dr. Blake McKelvey, his associate, for reviewing the historical sections; Mr. William G. Kaelber for his critical scrutiny of the architect- ural material; Mrs. Gertrude Herdle Moore for advice on art and museums; Mr. Stewart B. Sabin for reading the section on the Eastman School of Music; Mr. Al Sigl for information on radio; Mr. Morley Turpin, archivist of the University of Rochester, for much specialized material; and the many members of the Rochester Pioneers who drew upon their memories to add many vivid touches to the dead records of the past. Other unnamed and unnumbered citizens of Rochester contributed with their sympathetic and en- couraging interest during the preparation of the book. The Federal Writers' Project wishes also to thank Sibley, Lindsay & Curr for their courtesies and generosity. If this Guide succeeds in presenting to visitors and distant friends a true picture of the city of Rochester; if it refreshes the city's memory of its own past and sharpens its consciousness of its present life, and thereby perhaps even makes a contribution to its future development—then the highest hopes of those who labored on this book will have been fully realized. Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection COOPERATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE HONORABLE CHARLES STANTON Mayor of Rochester HONORABLE ROLAND B. WOODWARD State Board of Regents Chamber of Commerce FRANK E. GANNETT Publisher of Gannett Newspapers JOHN P. BOYLAN President, Rochester Telephone Corporation DR. DEXTER PERKINS City Historian DR. ARTHUR C. PARKER Director, Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences JOHN ADAMS LOWE Director, Rochester Public Libraries DR. ALAN VALENTINE President, University of Rochester DR. HOWARD HANSON Director, Eastman School of Music JAMES M. SPINNING Superintendent of Schools MRS. WALDEN V. MOORE Director, Memorial Art Museum MOST REVEREND EDWARD MOONEY Former Bishop of the Catholic Diocese RIGHT REVEREND DAVID LINCOLN FERRIS Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese RABBI PHILIP S. BERNSTEIN Rabbi of Temple B'rith Kodesh Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection CONTENTS Page FOREWORD . 11 PREFACE . .13 COOPERATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. .... 15 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ... 22 LIST OF MAPS . 23 GENERAL INFORMATION Transportation .... .24 Accommodations . 28 Recreation . 29 Information for Tourists . ... 34 Information Bureaus . ... 36 Calendar of Annual Events . ... 38 I. ROCHESTER CONTEMPORARY SCENE The City . ... 43 Its People . ... 48 Life and Livelihood . .... 48 HISTORY Origins .... 51 The Flour City . .54 The Flower City . 58 Modern Development .... 62 Government ... ... .70 ROCHESTER ANECDOTES ... 73 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Growth of Industry 103 Labor . ... Ill Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY CULTURAL LIFE Music 115 Art 122 Literature 127 Architecture 139 Education . 147 Newspapers and Radio 151 Religion 154 Social Service 156 POINTS OF INTEREST Tour 1 (Points of Interest Nos. 1-19) 161 Tour 2 (Points of Interest Nos. 20-41) 173 Tour 3 (Points of Interest Nos. 42-62) 189 Tour 4 (Points of Interest Nos. 63-78) 202 UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER History . 214 River Campus (College for Men) . 219 Prince Street Campus (College for Women) 223 Memorial Art Gallery . 225 Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theater 227 School of Medicine and Dentistry 233 Rochester Dental Dispensary 235 POINTS OF INTEREST FOR CHILDREN The Zoo 236 Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences 243 Lamberton Conservatory 248 II. MONROE COUNTY LOCATION 255 GEOGRAPHY 255 GEOLOGY . 259 Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY PALEONTOLOGY 260 FLORA 261 FAUNA 262 MINERALS 263 AGRICULTURE 264 CONSERVATION 265 INDIANS AND ARCHEOLOGY 266 COUNTY GOVERNMENT 274 COUNTY BUILDINGS 276 MONROE COUNTY TRAVELING LIBRARY 277 TOWNS AND VILLAGES 279