Description: "Map of the City of Rochester, 1859," from "Rochester: The Flower City, 1855-1890" by Blake McKelvey (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1949) This drawing faces p. 12. Historian Blake McKelvey's professional career is inextricably linked to his adopted hometown, Rochester, New York. The majority of his books are devoted to the city's history, including the publication in which this map is found. During the last half of the 19th century, Rochester was home to a thriving nursery industry, and the metropolis soon became known as "Flower City." The map's complete title is "Map of the City of Rochester, 1859, from Cornells' Maps. Published by Curtiss, Butts & Co., Rochester." Silas Cornell (1788 or 9-1864) was a noted cartographer, surveyor, and schoolmaster who moved to Rochester, New York, in 1836. The accuracy of his 1839 map of Rochester, New York, made it the base plat and reference point for future surveys and maps of that city. Cornell also was a devout Quaker and dedicated abolitionist. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05784
Subjects: Map drawing; Rochester (N.Y.)--History; Nurseries (Horticulture)--United States--History; McKelvey, Blake, 1903-2000; Cornell, Silas, 1788 or 1789-1864
Places: Rochester (New York)
 

Description: A view of the Lower Falls of the Genesee River in Rochester, New York (1870-1879). This photograph appears opposite p. 109 of "Rochester: The Flower City, 1855-1890" by Blake McKelvey (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1949). The Genesee River runs through the heart of Rochester, New York, on its way to Lake Ontario. Within the city the Genesee drops in three places (the so-called Upper, Lower, and Middle Falls). The Lower Falls have a 110-foot drop. Situated along the riverbanks are several industrial-looking buildings with tall smokestacks. Other buildings form a backdrop to this vista. Historian Blake McKelvey's professional career is inextricably linked to his adopted hometown, Rochester, New York. The majority of his books are devoted to the city's history, including the publication in which this map is found. During the last half of the 19th century, Rochester was home to a thriving nursery industry, thus earning for itself the nickname "Flower City." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05785
Subjects: Rochester (N.Y.)--History; McKelvey, Blake, 1903-2000;
Places: Rochester (New York); Monroe County (New York)
 

Description: View of the city of Rochester from the south, 1873. This drawing appears opposite p. 109 of "Rochester: The Flower City, 1855-1890" by Blake McKelvey (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1949). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05786
Subjects: Rochester (N.Y.)--History; McKelvey, Blake, 1903-2000; Cityscapes
Places: Rochester (New York)