USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Early history of Rochester. 1810 to 1827, with comparisons of its growth and progress to 1860 > Part 4
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The following are the returns of flour made at the existing mills, for the year 1826.
Beach's mill, 24,530
barrels. do.
Atkinson's do. 20,500
do.
Rochester's do. 20,000 do.
Cleveland's
do. 15,750 do.
Strong's
do. 17,000 do.
Ely's
do. 32,389
do.
Total, 150,169 barrels.
The perfection of the machinery, and the ar- rangements in the establishments, will be in some measure conceived, when the fact is stated, that in the last of these, during a considerable portion of the fall, the wheat was taken in, and flour man- utactured to the amount of 250 barrels per day. .
Besides the above, there are three mills with seven run of stones, for custom work.
COTTON MANUFACTORY.
There is at present but one establishment of this
description in the village-conducted by S. S. Al- cott. It has 1400 spindles, and 30 power looms. It employs about 80 youth and children, who are liberally afforded the advantages of a school five evenings in the week, supported at the expense of the employers.
WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE.
There is but one establishment where all parts of the process is carried on, and three others, where cloth-dressing, dyeing and wool-carding are con- ducted. This trade must be regarded as opening an inviting field, in a region whence wool is ex- ported, and into which manufactured cloth is so largely imported-where sheep may be raised so extensively, and where such water power exists.
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTORIES.
Besides the manufactories already mentioned, there are,
3 Furnances for melting and casting iron,
2 Trip hammers by water power,
2 Breweries,
2 Distilleries,
3 Tanneries,
1 Oil-mill,
9 Saw-mills,
1 Nail manufactory,
2 Stone and earthen ware manufactories,
3 Scythe, axe and edge tool do.
5 Tin and sheet iron do.
3 Soap and candle do.
2 Morocco do.
1 Comb-maker's shop,
1 Machine maker's do.
3 Coppersmiths' shops.
3 Gunsmiths' do.
2 Plough-makers' do.
2 Iron turners' do.
4 Chair-makers' do.
5 Cabinet-makers' do.
4 Hatters' do.
1 Paper mill,
$ Book binderies,
6 Printing offices,
1 Looking-glass manufactory,
4 Saddlers' shops,
14 Coopers' do.
17 Blacksmiths' do.
1 Window sash manufactory, by water power, do.
1 Shoe last do.
1 Barrel
do.
do.
1 Pail and tub do. do.
This has produced 25,000 pails the last season.
The four last mentioned manufactories are beautiful specimens of the ingenuity and mechani- cal talents of our countrymen, and promise to be lucrative, while they are creditable to the in- ventors.
III .- PUBLICK WORKS.
Of these, the first in importance and interest is undoubtedly the
ERIE CANAL.
Its passage over the Gencsee river is thus de- scribed by a civil engineer who superintended its construction.
"This stupendous fabrick, which forms a prom- inent link in the great chain of inland communi- cation, is built on one of the rifts which compose a part of the extensive falls of the Genesee river, about eighty rods south of the great falls. It is situated nearly in the centre of the thriving village of Rochester, parallel to the great leading western road, and across the Genesee
Brown's do. 20,000
13
river, about eighty yards south of it. The ap- proach of the Erie Canal to the Genesee river, from the east, is for a considerable distance confined to a steep, bold bank; at the foot of which formerly ran a raceway. This artificial water course, on the immediate bank of the river, was compelled to give place to the Erie Canal, and has been placed outside of it, till at the instant of its crossing, it is passed under it in an arch of twenty-six feet chord. The natural and artificial seenery, here represented, is grand and peculiarly interesting. The river, with its rapids, is surmounted by the race above mentioned ; which in its turn is surmounted by the Erie Canal, which is again overtopped by the table land in the vicinity, on the extreme edge of which is an important street of the village of East Ro- chester.
The Aqueduct, from the eastern extremity of its parapet walls to its western termination, is 804 feet long, and is built on eleven arches ; one above named of twenty-six feet chord, under which passes the water necessary for a number of of important flouring-mills, &c. nine of fifty feet chord, and one on the west side of the river, of thirty feet chord, under which passes water for a number of flouring-mills, and other hydrauliek establishments in West Rochester. The structure is founded on solid rock, in which excavations were made to found the piers, which are 36 feet long, and 10 feet wide, including at each end a pedestal and dome, out of which rises a pilaster. The height of the piers is about 412 feet ; the rise of the arch, 11 feet ; its thickness at the foot, 3 feet; at the apex, 212 feet. The parapet walls or sides of the trunk, are five and a half feet high, includ- ing the coping, which is so constructed as to form a capital to the whole trunk.
The whole of this immense building is of cut stone; many of them, particularly in the piers, of very great size. These are trenailed to the rock by large iron bolts, and so eramped and cemented, as nearly to form a mass which possesses the con- sistency and firmness of a single unbroken rock.
The stone of which the walls are composed, is red sand stone, intimately blended with a small portion of iron. The pilasters and coping are of gray silicious lime stone.
On the north wall, which is of sufficient thickness for the towing path, is an iron railing ; and at the west end, the whole is terminated by a highway and towing path bridge, of the most solid and elegant workmanship.
The work was commenced by Alfred Hovey, the contractor, on the 17th of July, 1822, and com- pleted on the 11th of September, 1823, and cost $83,000."
CANAL BASINS.
The canal basins, in the village and vicinity, (beginning at the east,) are-
1s. Gilbert's Basin-junction of feeder and canal. 2d. Jonnson's do .- west side of river-st.
3d. Child's do .- west end of the aqueduct.
4th. Fitzhugh's do .- between Washington and 5th. Fisher's do .- Buffalo-st [Sophia-st. 6th. Washington do .- Allen-street. 7th. Warehouse do .- Court-street. Sth. Ely's Slip,-Sophia-street.
There are also two dry docks, for repairing and wintering boats, owned by Oliver Culver, and an ingenious set of machinery at Fisher's basin, for raising canal boats out of the water to repair.
DAMS AND MILL COURSES.
Next in importance to the canal, are the dams and mill courses, that have been constructed at a great expense, and afford a great number of mill sites.
These are-1st. The dam above the rapids, hav- ing a mill race passing off to either side of the river ; at present supplying nine water power es- tablishments on the west and ten on the east side -2d. Brown's dam and mill course, of 80 rods, below the great falls, which already supplies ten establishments-and, 3d. Cleveland's course, on the brink of the falls, on the east side, supplying two mills.
Below the falls, another dam is about to be con- structed, and at Carthage there already are two mill courses, each supplying two establishments, and affording the means for a very great number more.
BRIDGES.
There are now three bridges over the river, within the limits of the village.
First, built in 1810-12, re-built in 1824.
Second .. 1819-by a private company. Third .. 1826-by individuals.
Connected with the first or middle bridge, is a market, now building, in the manner of a bridge, over the water of the river.
IV .- PUBLIC BUILDINGS. THE COURT-HOUSE
Was erected in 1822, on a lot given by Rochester, Carrol and Fitzhugh, for the county buildings, extending 166 feet on Buffalo-st. and 264 feet on Fitzhugh-st. The natural declivity of the ground is reduced to two platforms ; the first on the level of Buffalo-street, forming a neat yard in front of the building, which recedes 75 feet from the line of the street ; the other raised about 6 feet above the former, and divided from it by the building itself and two wing walls of uniform appearance, presenting, towards Buffalo-street, the aspect of an elevated terrace, but on a level with the streets immediately adjoining.
This last, together with the yard of the first Presbyterian church, now comprehended within the same enclosure, forms a small square, laid out in grass plats and gravel walks, and need only the further attention of the citizens in planting it with shade trees and shrubbery, to render it a very pleasant and valuable accommodation as a publick walk. This is now known by the name of Court-square.
The court-house building is 54 feet long, 44 wide, and 40 high. It presents two fronts, the one facing Court-square, showing two stories and a base-the other towards Buffalo-street, two stories and a full basement.
Each front is finished with a projecting portico, 30 feet long and 10 wide, supported by four fluted Ionic columns, surmounted by a regular entabla- ture and balustrade, which returns and continues along the whole front.
From the centre of the building arises an octa- - gonal belfry, covered by a cupola.
The basement affords convenient offices for county and village purposes.
The court room is in the second story, extend- ing the entire length and breadth of the build- ing, and is a remarkably well lighted and airy apartment.
14
THE COUNTY GAOL
Is situated in the rear of a handsome and commo- dious brick house occupied by the gaoler's family, on the west side of Hughes-street, and enclosed with a high and formidable wall of stone.
Within are two tier of cells, divided by a hall through the centre, enclosed in a very strong and secure manner.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This building is situated on the south side of Court-square, and fronts the court-house. It is eighty-six feet long, sixty-four wide, and thirty feet high above the base. It is built of stone, cov- ered with a durable cement, in imitation of whitish free stone; but the water-table, window and door sıls, caps and starts, together with all the projec- tures of the masonry, are of a red hewn sand stone. The platform and steps extending along the front are of the white Sweden stone.
The front of this building is a design by O'Don- nell, in the Gothick style. Twenty feet of the centre is occupied by a square tower, projecting three feet from the face of the building, and both the tower and remaining part of the front, as well as all the angles of the building, are ornamented with pilasters, of full and handsome projectlons, supporting a bold entablature and cornice, both in the range of the eaves and over the several sec- tions of the tower.
The angles of the towers are so constructed as to give each the appearance of a prism, or cluster of four pilasters, touching each other at their in- terior angles, the faces of two and the edges of two being visible, reduced as they ascend, from section to section, till they emerge as pinnacles at the top, still retaining their features as compos- ed of four pilasters. The spaces between these pinnacles are finished with an embattled balus- trade.
From the tower arises an octagonal spire, 79 feet high, divided into sections by bold astragal bands, showing the several faces conspicuously pannelled. The whole height of the steeple is 150 feet.
The interior of the building combines great con- venience with good proportions, and a light airy appearance rather than laboured ornament.
The vestibule is entered by three doors, one in the tower, and one in each wing. The stair-case is opposite the centre door, and under it is a fur- nace, from which heated air issues into each pew in the body of the church.
The pulpit, which is low, is situated between the two inner entrance doors, and occupies, together with its stairs, a slightly recessed arch of 20 feet wide and 33 feet high. From the pulpit, the floor has a gentle ascent to the opposite extremity, and the pews are arranged as the chords of a circle, so that all directly face the pulpit. The galleries are much inclined, and supported by Ionick col- umns.
The steeple is furnished with an excellent bell, of 1800 1bs. and an organ of 14 stops has been lately erected in the gallery. The whole expense of this building, and the lot on which it stands, including the cost of the bell, amounted to about $16,000.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This building, known by the name of St. Luke's Church, is 72 feet in length and 53 in width, con- structed of stone. It is erected upon a lot which was appropriated for the purpose by Rochester,
Fitzhugh and Carroll, and is situated on the west side of Fitzhugh-street, a few rods south of Buf. falo-street, and opposite Court-square. The style of the building is Gothick, which has been rigidly observed in every particular. There is not an ornament about it which is not in accordance with this kind of architecture. The main part of the front is of hewn gray stone, from Auburn. The two corners of the tower and the two corners of the body of the house are of red free stone, as are also the water table, the caps, sills and jambs of the windows and doors. The two windows in the tower are strikingly beautiful, containing a proper number of spandrels and branching mullions, and ornamented with rich and delicate tracery. Around the arch of the first of these, handsomely cut in the stone cap, is the name of the church, with the year of its erection. The tower is 16 feet , square, projecting five feet beyond the body of the church, and rising to the height of 90 feet. This is finished at the top with eight pinnacles, connected by a castellated or embattled balus- trade. A similar balustrade runs around the roof of the whole house, having similar pinnacles at each corner. The wood work on the outside of the house has been made strongly to resemble the red free stone, by a process termed smalting.
In the arrangement of the interior, will be seen convenience, elegance, and a strict economy of room. The pulpit and desk consist of a number of delicate Gothick arches, behind which is a dra- pery of dark blue velvet. The chancel is in the form of an oval, placed in front of the desk, and containing a communion table of Italian marble, and a baptismal font of the purest alabaster, rest- ing on a pedestal of agate marble, The gallery is supported by large cluster columns, painted in imitation of light blue variegated marble. The ceiling is finished with intersecting vaulted or groined arches, ornamented with stucco work. In the church is placed a large and remarkably fine- toned organ.
. The corner stone of the building was laid on the 11th of May, 1824, and the house opened for publick worship, September 4, 1825.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHAPEL
Is a neat brick building, 42 by 55 feet, with tall Gothick windows, a balcony and dome, situated on River-street, in the eastern division of the vil- lage. It is surmounted by an octagon cupola, covered with tin plate; and from the elevated ground on which it is erected, it makes a band- some appearance.
THE METHODIST SOCIETY
Are now erecting a frame building on Hart street, of respectable size, to be called " Bethel Church."
THE ROMAN CATHOLICK CHAPEL
Is situated on Platt-street, a few rods west of State-street, in the north part of the village. It is built of stone, on elevated ground, from which a fine prospect of the village is presented.
The building is forty-two feet long and thirty- eight feet wide, with large Gothick windows. It was built in the year 1823.
THE MARKET BUILDINGS,
Now erecting on the north side of the middle bridge, consist of an open platform, adjoining the bridge, of 20 feet, designed for a vegetable mar- ket; next, a raised platform, in a range with and corresponding to the side-walks of Buffalo and
15
Main-streets, of which the market will serve as a continuation. Next to this is the covered meat market, having in the centre a walk of 12 feet wide, between two rows of turned columns, and on either side, the places for stalls, each 10 by 14 feet.
The building is 40 by 80 feet, and built on the plan of the new market, in Boston-cost estimat- ed at $3,000.
It is in contemplation to build, the ensuing sea- son, two large and beautiful stone edifices, for the second and third Presbyterian societies; also, several extensive milling establishments, besides a number of stores, dwelling houses, &c.
V .- TRAVELING.
The facilities for travelling to and from Roches- ter, in almost every direction, have so much in- creased within a few years, and are a matter of so much importance, as to deserve a distinct enumeration.
The chief routes are, to the ports on Lake On- tario, and the rivers Niagara and St. Lawrence, by steamboats and schooners that ply upon the lake, and come into the port of Genesee ;- direct- ly east and west to Albany and Buffalo, with all the intermediate places, by the Erie canal ;- to Albany by the great western state road ;- and to Lewiston by the famous ridge road.
In addition to the travelling occasioned by the extensive export and import trade of this particu- lar region, Rochester proves a thoroughfare for the trade of a large portion of Ohio, Indiana, the Michigan territory, and Upper Canada; and for the crowds of travellers from almost every country who annually visit the falls of Niagara.
1. By Lake Ontario .- The steamboat Ontario constantly plies during the summer season, be- tween Lewiston on the Niagara, and Ogdensburgh on the St. Lawrence river, touching at Hanford's Landing, (three miles from Rochester,) Oswego, Sackett's Harbour, and Cape Vincent, by which, passages may usually be had either way, once a week. The Ontario is an excellent boat, having been rebuilt in a substantial manner in 1825, with accommodations not inferior to any steam-boat on the lakes.
It is frequently the case, that travellers from the cities who visit Niagara falls, come out by stages and canal packets, and return by the steam-boat, to Ogdensburgh, and from thence to Montreal, &c. The traveller is compensated for the trouble, time and expense, which this journey occasions.
The rates of fare, hitherto, have been, From Lewis:on to Genesee river, $5.
From Genesee river to Sackett's Harbour, $5. From Sackett's Harbour to Ogdensburgh, $5.
The above rates include all expenses of board, &c.
2. By the Canal .- The packet-boats daily arrive at and depart from Rochester, both east and west, during the season of navigation, and afford excel- lent and comfortable accommodations. During the whole of the summer months, or from the first of May to November, the traveller is sure to meet, in these boats, a large company of the most re- spectable of both sexes; while the easy motion, and rapid progress of the boat, with the opportuni- ty of alternate reading and conversation, beguile the tediousness of a long journey. These boats run night and day, and accomplish about 80 miles in twenty-four hours. The fare, including all ex- penses, is generally about four cents a mile. The packet-boat company have at present 12 boats, and 130 horses.
The following list of distances on the canal, is believed to be correct, and may not be unappro- priate in this place, viz :--
EASTWARD.
From Rochester to
miles. | From Rochester to
miles.
Pittsford,
10
Chitteningo,
116
Palmyra,
29
New-Boston, 120
Newark,
38
Canistota,
124
Lyons,
44
Rome,
145
Clyde,
53
Utica,
160
Montezuma,
64
Herkimer,
174
Port Byron,
70
Little Falls,
187
Weed's Port
73
Canajoharie,
202
Jordan,
79
Amsterdam,
225
Canton,
85
Schenectady,
240
Syracuse,
99
Troy,
262
Orville,
105
Albany,
269
Manlius,
108
WESTWARD.
From Rochester to
miles.
From Rochester to
miles.
Brockport,
20
Lockport,
64
Holley,
25
Pendleton,
71
Albion,
35
Tonewanda,
83
Knowlsville,
40
Black Rock,
91
Middleport,
52
Buffalo,
94
3. By Stages .- There are two stage routes from Rochester to Albany, usually occupied by two lines of stages, by which there are at least two regular arrivals per day, besides numerous extras during the chief season of travelling. One of these routes is as follows :
To Pittsford, 8 miles ; Palmyra, 15; Lyons, 16 ; Montezuma, 16; Bucksville, 6; Weed's Basin, 3; E)- bridge, 6; Camillus, 7; Syracuse, 7; Manlius, 10; Cazenovia, 9; Nelson, 4; Morrisville, 7; Madison, 7; Sangerfield, 8; Bridgewater, 7; Winfield, 7; Richfield, 8; Springfield, 9 Cherry Valley, 5; Schoharie, 26; Albany, 26 .- Total, 217 miles.
The other, via Canandaigua and Utica, is as follows :
To Pittsford, 8 miles; Victor, 10; Canandaigua, 11; Gorham, 5; Geneva, 11; Cayuga Bridge, 14; Auburn, 9; Skaneateles, 6; Marcellus, 6; Onon- daga Hollow, 10; Manlius, 10; Sullivan, 12; Ver- non, 12; Westmoreland, 6; New-Hartford, 7; Utica, 4 ;- 141. To Herkimer, 15; Little Falls, 7 ; Manheim, 10; Palatine, 10; Caughnawaga, 15; Amsterdam, 8; Schnectady, 15; Albany, 15-96. Total, 237. To N. York, by steam-boats, 149.
To and from Lewiston, by the ridge-road, a stage arrives and departs daily. The following is a list of distances on this route :
To Parma, 11 miles; Clarkson, 7; Murray, 7; Ridgeway, 15; Hartland, 10; Cambria, 12; Lew- iston, 12 ;- 75. From Lewiston to Buffalo .- Nia- gara Falls, 7; Buffalo, 22 ;- 29. Total, from Roch- ester to Buffalo, 104.
To Buffalo via Batavia .- Scottsville, 12 miles ; Caledonia, 9 ; Le Roy, 6 ; Stafford, 5; Batavia, 5; Pembroke, 14; Clarence, 8; Amberst, 7; Cold Springs, 9; Buffalo, 2 ;- Total, 77.
The rates of fare in all these, as well as those. that follow, average about 312cents a mile.
Besides the above, there are stages to Batavia, every day, through Chili, Bergen aud Le Roy -- whole distance estimated at 38 miles. Also, to Batavia, through Scottsville, Caledonia and Le. Roy : 40 miles. To Geneseo, every second day, through Henrietta and Avon ; whole distance, 30. miles. To Penfield, every day in the summer; distance 8 miles.
MISCELLANEOUS.
SULPHUR SPRING BATHING ESTABLISHMENT. This establishment, both healthful and comfort-
16
able to the resident citizen and traveller, was erected by an individual over a strong sulphur spring, on the south side of Buffalo street, near Washington street.
It consists of a bar-room, a ladies' drawing- room, and several bathing-rooms ; and the visitor is furnished with warm or cold baths, either of sulphur, alkaline, or fresh water, according to his choice or taste.
The sulphur water from this spring is said to have a peculiarly pleasant effect, in giving soft- ness and smoothness to the skin.
THE THEATRE
Is situated on Carroll-street, a few rods north of Buffalo street. It is open but part of the season, the company of performers not being permanent- ly settled here, and ouly exhibiting a few weeks at a time.
Of the influence of theatrical exhibitions, upon the morals and habits of a young community, it does not become to speak; but we are constrained to say, that the character of the performances at this theatre has not generally been such as reflects credit upon the taste of our citizens.
THE MONROE COUNTY POOR-HOUSE,
Situated three miles south-east from Rochester, was erected at the expense of the county, in the year 1826. It is a convenient brick building, cal- culated to accommodate from 75 to 100 paupers. It is managed by five superintendents, and has at present about 35 occupants, about 20 of whom are employed in some useful labour.
CARTHAGE BRIDGE,
Having been an object of interest to the traveller while it stood, and its site and ruins being still an object of curiosity, we subjoin the following description :
It was built by a company of gentlemen, at the village of the same name, across Genesee river, about one and a half miles north of the village of Rochester. It was completed in February, 1819, under the direction of Brainerd & Chapman.
It consisted of an entire arch, the chord of which was 352 feet, and the versed sine 54 feet. The summit of the arch was 196 feet above the surface of the water. The entire length of the bridge was 718 feet, and the width 30 feet, besides four large elbow braces, placed at the extremeties of the arch, and projecting 15 feet on each side of it.
The arch consisted of nine ribs, two feet four inches thick, connected by braced levellers above and below, and secured by 800 strong iron bolts. The feet of the arch rested upon the solid rock, about 60 feet below the surface of the upper bank. Soon after the completion of the bridge, loaded teams, with more than thirteen tons weight pass- ed over it, without producing any perceptible tremour.
It contained about 70,000 feet of timber, run- ning measure, besides 64,620 feet of board meas- ure. It was built in the first place upon a Gothick arch, the vertex of which was about 20 feet below the floor of the bridge, and was, in point of me- chanical ingenuity, as great a curiosity as the bridge itself.
The famous bridge at Schaffausen, in Switzer- land, which stood for fifty years the pride of the eastern world, was but twelve feet longer span than the bridge at Carthage. The
most lofty single arch at present in Europe; is 116 feet less in length than this, and the arch not as high by 96 feet.
This famous work, which reflected so much credit on the enterprise, of the proprietors, and the ingenuity of the builders stood but about one year. The immense weight of timber, pressing unequally upon the arch, threw up the centre from its equilibrium, and the whole .tumbled into ruins.
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