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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Rochester, NY From 20th Century

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Rochester is the third-largest city in the New York state, founded shortly after the American Revolution. It was initially named “Rochesterville” by Col. Nathaniel Rochester. After the American Civil War, the population of the city grew from 48,000 to 162,800 at the end of the 19th century. The turn of the 20th century made Rochester a centre of the garment industry, particularly men’s fashions, numerous flour mills and manufacturing hubs were built. In 1916 the city was extended in a strip along both banks of the Genesee to Lake Ontario. In 1920s Rochester purchased the abandoned Erie Canal lands inside city limits to use them as a heavy rail mass transit and freight system.

Here below are some rare historical photos of old Rochester, NY from the early 20th century, that show streets, roads, landmarks and everyday life.

#1 East Main Street at South Avenue and St. Paul Boulevard, Rochester, New York, circa 1904

East Main Street at South Avenue and St. Paul Boulevard, Rochester, New York, circa 1904

20 Points
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#5 New York Central railroad station, Rochester, 1905

New York Central railroad station, Rochester, 1905

13 Points
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#6 Elks Temple (Eureka Club), Clinton Avenue North, Rochester, N.Y, 1908

Elks Temple (Eureka Club), Clinton Avenue North, Rochester, N.Y, 1908

12 Points
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#7 Mrs. Babcock doing the family laundry with an electric washing machine and a wringer, New York, September 1942

Mrs. Babcock doing the family laundry with an electric washing machine and a wringer, New York, September 1942

10 Points
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#8 Merchants’ Despatch Transportation Co, Rochester, 1906

Merchants' Despatch Transportation Co, Rochester, 1906

8 Points
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#9 Hotel Seneca, Clinton Avenue at Cortland Street, Rochester, New York, circa 1908

Hotel Seneca, Clinton Avenue at Cortland Street, Rochester, New York, circa 1908

8 Points
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#10 Earl Babcock’s school day begins with the salute to the flag, Rochester, New York, September 1942

Earl Babcock's school day begins with the salute to the flag, Rochester, New York, September 1942

8 Points
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#11 Granite Building, Main Street & St. Paul, Rochester, New York, circa 1905

Granite Building, Main Street & St. Paul, Rochester, New York, circa 1905

8 Points
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#13 Pompeiian Room at Hotel Seneca, Rochester, New York, 1908

Pompeiian Room at Hotel Seneca, Rochester, New York, 1908

7 Points
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#15 Shirley Babcock at right in the front listening to a lecture with other student nurses, Rochester, N.Y, September 1942

Shirley Babcock at right in the front listening to a lecture with other student nurses, Rochester, N.Y, September 1942

4 Points
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#18 The Babcocks at the dinner table, Rochester, New York, September 1942

The Babcocks at the dinner table, Rochester, New York, September 1942

3 Points
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#19 Babcock, Shirley and Earl greeting Mr. Babcock in front of the house, New York, September 1942

Babcock, Shirley and Earl greeting Mr. Babcock in front of the house, New York, September 1942

3 Points
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#20 The Babcocks, a typical American war worker’s family, New York, September 1942

The Babcocks, a typical American war worker's family, New York, September 1942

3 Points
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#21 Mr. Babcock tuning in for war news, Rochester, New York, March 1943

Mr. Babcock tuning in for war news, Rochester, New York, March 1943

2 Points
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#22 Earl and Howard Babcock looking over one of the model airplanes which Howard built, New York, September 1942

Earl and Howard Babcock looking over one of the model airplanes which Howard built, New York, September 1942

2 Points
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#23 The two Babcock boys share one room, New York, September 1942

The two Babcock boys share one room, New York, September 1942

2 Points
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#24 Earl Babcock’s mother helping with his bath, Rochester, New York, September 1942

Earl Babcock's mother helping with his bath, Rochester, New York, September 1942

1 Point
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Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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5 Comments

  2. There was an occasion when President Taft stayed there. It was generally considered a prime choice for well-to-do visitors to Aqueduct City (a lesser-known Rochester nickname at the turn of the century). The parking lot is currently gravel, so yay, urban modernization!

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