Did you know Rochester used to have a subway? And that part of it was built right in the old Erie Canal aqueduct that crosses the Genesee River to this day? Well, there’s no more water and there’s no more subway, but on September 19, you can do openly what we did somewhat clandestinely with our friend Peter Monacelli and the director of the Rochester Historical Society, Meredith Keller. They’re getting things ready for the World Canals Conference Community Day, so they found a way in where, clearly, a bunch of other people have found a way in, too. You can click on any picture to enlarge it. Then click your back button to return to this page.
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- The Erie Canal, and later the subway, crossed the Genesee River here and, turning south, continued on underneath the library!
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- Next to the Genesee River, part of a race that still provides power
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- We approach the aqueduct/subway to take a look in. Can we climb in there?
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- This will be the scene of part of the World Canal Conference. But how to get in today?
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- View into aqueduct. It’s too big a drop to get in this way.
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- Peter and Meredith discuss where to put a huge mural.
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- We’ll walk to the far side of the library (left) and then under it to get in.
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- Looking back at the aqueduct.
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- Court Street dam and waterway provide hydroelectric power to this day.
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- Part of the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
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- Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
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- That was a road that ran above the subway line.
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- A look down toward where we’re headed. The Dinosaur Bar-B-que and the library are seen here.
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- Now we’re walking under that road, along what used to be the bed of the canal and later of the subway line
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- The ramp that used to lead to stairs that brought people up to the sidewalk in front of the library
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- Dark as a dungeon… homeless people live here under the library
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- “Light at the end of the tunnel”
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- In the bend, heading east away from the library
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- Still heading east, we come across beautiful art work
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- Out from underneath the library, crossing the river
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- This was more stunningly beautiful in person
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- A look back west at where we came from, where the canal bends to the south
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- This is as far as we cared to go!
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- Dave facing away from the library
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- Headed back out, going east and then south
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- Heading into the bend in the canal as it turns to go under the library
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- What are all those dots? Not ghosts, sorry. Dust and lots of it.
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- We’re walking in the bed of the canal, under the library
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- This pool of water causes dampness in the library. Not good.
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- The spot where people used to mount stairs to the sidewalk in front of the library
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- Looking up under the library
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- Walking into the light…
To see a much more complete tour of the subway line with a thorough history, take a look at this great site:
We learn that Rochester has been developing a plan to re-water the old Erie Canal as it goes through the city. What if Syracuse got its canal back, too? We’d be the Venice of upstate. Well, almost.
[...] August 27, 2010 by newyorkoutdoors A walk in Rochester’s subway – Sept 19 [...]
The Rochester Subway Tour, what time is it? and where do we meet?
More information,please. Time,Place?
News video about Rochester’s “Dinner in the Ditch” at THIS LINK. As for any subway tours, stay in touch with these SUBWAY
TOURS people. I’m sure there will be many more, given the plans to rewater part of it.