Rochester, N.Y. Clinton Ave & Main St. Journey Through Time

I was born in Rochester in “58, still have Sibley’s and Foreman’s wooden hangers in my closet. I moved away in the 70s for college, and never moved back. It was always sad to go back and see the city when visiting my parents and family. My dad grew up in the 19th ward (Aldine, if you know you know) as did his father. I learned to swim at the Arnett YMCA from the amazing Marty Keating. Was a wonderful place to grow up.

I am filled with total sadness when I look at recent vids of where Midtown Plaza was. I've lived near Orlando FL since 2010, however I spent my life in Rochester before then, except for military service. Grew up on Furlong St. near Portland Ave. Went to St Andrew's Church and School. I'm 61 now but in the early to mid 1960s every Saturday my Grandma would have Grandpa take her to Midtown Plaza and I would go with her, of course Grandpa would always wait in the car. (lol, too many people for him). And there sure was. that place was always packed. Sibley's, Formans, McCurdy's, etc. especially at Xmas. when I was in high school at East ridge H.S. I worked at Neisner's until I graduated and went in the USAF. (signed up for 6yrs and spent all six in Hawaii). later on in my 40s I worked​ at Midtown Plaza as a security supervisor. by that time crime was off the hook down there. I remember how very difficult it was for the owners to get and KEEP tenants in the plaza. still so sad that it's gone. ty for listening and I apologize for it being lengthy. God bless to all. ☺

I was born in Rochester NY, 1970,,

Thank you for that quick history ride! yes i have lived here all my life i have seen the world but will probably die here in my city! i miss Midtown , the monorail , the Wegman's that was in midtown lol we sure aren't the old Rochester in her Glory! good thing for our MEMORIES!

Loved going during Christmas to Midtown Mall and riding the monorail!!!! Such a magical time! Love the memories!

You should see it now! Rochester has gone through a total transformation with midtown and the liberty pole but main and Clinton still remains pretty much abandoned and run down. Very crazy to see what it once was compared to now.

I lived in Rochester 25 yrs ago . I will retire in 2026 and I really wanted to move back there for my golden years. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to due to the fact that the property taxes are super duper high. I don't mind paying property taxes but it is insane in monroe county.

Downtown Rochester used to be beautiful until the 1970's. Now downtown and inner parts make Rochester a "CITY IN DECAY".

My brother drove me thru downtown on my last visit. Scared the heck out of me! Sad what it has become. I told him to hit the petal and get me out of there as quickly as he could. Hopefully they will turn it around and it will thrive again

I grew up in Rochester too. Left in 1993. Boy do I regret it

My Allstate office was one of the first in the country to stand alone...We had 5 agents some original day one employees. This was at the 4 corners Main and state ground floor Powers building ,,,hundreds of passer by people Dailey...It had to be a class operation

Remember Edwards would set up a train ride at Christmas? I got kicked off and banned one year (me and my brother) for failing to keep our hands inside the train while running. Even after a couple weeks passed, we tried to ride it again and the guy running it remembered us and refused to let us ride. A "big city" with hometown charm. I remember a number of clerks, vendors etc that knew me and my mom, eg the woman who ran the lunch counter by the bus terminal at the back end (south side) of Midtown Plaza. Lots of memories of that little lunch counter. After the dentist appointments (on the 10th floor of the Sibley Building, Dr. Willing) we'd go to the lunch counter for a 'reward.' BTW I came by this video looking for videos or pictures of the animated neon French's Mustard sign. The earlier pictures in this set were taken from close to the spot where that sign was... so close... Thanks for posting this, always like looking at the old hometown as it WAS. (definitely nothing like it's former glory days anymore)

The "circa 1911" picture is wrong. It was 1919 or 1920. The sign that says "Victory Loan" reveals the age of the picture "The Victory Loan of 1919 was a bond issue intended to help pay World War I costs. The act authorizing this loan provided for the issue of two series of three-to-four-year 4.75 percent and 3.75 percent convertible gold notes; the issue, dated 29 May 1919"

My hometown, formerly known for Kodak, Zerox and other remarkable things such as the first indoor mall which was Midtown Plsza…… now just part of the demolished landscape that is downtown Rochester, NY

Thank you 🙏. Today my city downtown is a mess. Asking myself what is really going on behind the senses 🎯

That corner is currently under major renovation. Tons of new things moving into that immediate downtown area. Things are getting better. It’s about time!

I forgot a Bernie Tindal was in charge of building 6 Edgerton park ..Police target range on first floor...Our own full size basketball court open every day but Sunday Man we loved that place ..As starter kids rubber ball on one half court ..older kids, leather ball on the other half..Then full court to play all other playgrounds Rochester Royals practice when Sports Arena was set up for some affair 21 steps to the upstairs us little kids had to shovel the snow before Bernie would let us play

It saddens me that there are so many comments from people who obviously have not been downtown in years and just hate change.

Me too bro

omg i live in rochester was born February 1990 and wowwww I didn't know midtown looked like this I miss midtown Christmas time taking pictures wit Santa and riding the monorail now looking at this and the city 2day what have it become midtown is so empty filled wit businesses these streets are hected one place I notice is still standing is that jewelry store those where the days thanks for posting this and let us know how our city use 2 look ty👏👏👏👏