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 heartache striving and indifference 1 1 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 of little to regret. Here 1 splendid motive and rich achievement outweigh shortcoming and error. Growing pains there have been but few if any progressed 1 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 decades and the important role played in that development 1 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 l888 Over 300 attend first Union, dies. meeting of Chamber Telephone subscribers get over being - - 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. car transfer - strap- Chamber turns out 54th Regiment hangers invent ways and means to ride Band to welcome "Congress of the Bicycle race at old Crittenden Park. all day on one. Three Americas" and promote South American trade; also busy on home Rochester Wheelman's League gets 300 rescued when fire sweeps St. 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 part of city council. Chamber save·s day Haven station. Hotel Ontario at Ontario Beach- early 1900's 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. 1892L ast 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. of police force is "mounted"-on Work begins on new buildings for 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 l893 ils p8resi9dent4. paved streets, more fireproof buildings Glen than any other city except New York, University of Rochester Fire destroys and known far and wide as "the city of _ admits its first co-ed, _ 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 Voting machines (invented here New Mechanics Institute opens. 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- guest of Chamber, Falls Branch, to bring in Albion shop- ber applauds its one-time secretary. Grand View Beach R. R. foreclosed. pers. We've got a bicycle cinder path all Frederick Douglass, famous negro Water trickles into Mt. Hope reser- the way to Scottsville (what, without orator, dies in Washington. Buried in voir for first time from new (second) 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 David Jayne Hill resigns presidency provement comm. saves day with "East engine invented by 0. H. and A. F. of U. of R. to become Assistant Secretary Main St. is now one of handsomest and 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, Wle8st M9ain 5St." 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 LRaakttel eAsnvaekneu e.k illed in as any that man can construct." want a fireman. James G. Cutler is George B. Selden gets School Board gets peevish and rules president. out dancing in high schools. patent on first "gas" buggy. 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.