Join the Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) on Thursday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. for a summer historical walking tour. Thousands of people drive over the South Hill Bridge into downtown Rochester daily, but did you know that almost immediately under the bridge exists remains of the failed 1830s Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal? Or that it was once the site of a paper mill that was burned down in the 1870s by a woman who claimed to be having “crazy spells?” Also, there is documented evidence that a … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “Rochester Under the Bridge: A Walking Tour,” on August 8
July 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Building’s Facelift Reveals Hidden Rochester History
November 27, 2020 by 1 Comment
The Gateway Center building on Main Street near the South Hill Bridge is undergoing a makeover, and the work has revealed a long-hidden link to Rochester’s industrial history. When workers recently removed the false front from the building, they uncovered an old, stone nameplate bearing the name “Yates” and the year 1929. Longtime Rochester residents will remember this building as the Yates Machine Works. The former Yates Machine Shop building is currently undergoing a facelift - Photo by … [Read more...]
The Story of Rochester’s Noon Whistle
October 30, 2020 by 19 Comments
Nobody who lives or works in the vicinity of downtown Rochester needs a watch to know when it’s lunchtime. Six days a week, at high noon, the blast of the fire department’s siren marks the midday hour. However, the daily sounding of the noon whistle has nothing to do with signaling a meal break and everything to do with a devastating fire that nearly destroyed an iconic Main Street business. This photo shows clean-up work in progress two days after the Phillips & Jerome fire. Back in … [Read more...]
The Day the Bridge Broke
September 25, 2018 by 4 Comments
During this time of year, motorists look forward to the end of the road construction projects that have plagued them all summer long. On October 20, 1990, the Rochester community celebrated the conclusion of a project that profoundly affected the downtown business district and the flow of traffic through town. The event was called the “Bridge Bash,” and it celebrated the re-opening of the South Hill Bridge after a yearlong closure and complete overhaul of the structure. State and local … [Read more...]
Rochester’s South Hill Bridge Opens in early 1900’s
March 8, 2016 by 4 Comments
The best we can tell this is a film that someone found from the opening of the Rochester's South Hill Bridge. It appears to be early 1900's. It was said to be the largest structure of it's kind in that day! If you have more information on this please forward it to our editor at Editor@rochestermedia.com … [Read more...]
