Canandaigua in Ontario County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Business District

History Happened Here

— City of Canandaigua —

The Business District Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024

1. The Business District Marker

Inscription.

The Business District. History Happened Here. , 1789-1820's. When Canandaigua was founded in 1789, Downtown served as the location of the land office for the Phelps-Gorham Purchase. The Downtown also served as a commercial center for new settlers and as a stopover for travelers in stagecoaches or on horses. By the 1820's, a corduroy or log roadway was built and Canandaigua's Downtown became a residential and commercial center of the community., 1820's-1860's. The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and since Canandaigua was not directly connected to it, economic growth slowed. Steamboat service began in 1827 and railroads in 1836 serving our local community, but did not spur major business growth until later in the century. By the 1860's, Canandaigua's Downtown thrived as a commercial center for the community., 1860's-1930's. When the Civil War ended in 1865, major railroad construction and the increase in the use of steamboats allowed the Canandaigua area to grow and develop industrially. Downtown became the center of the cultural life of the community with two churches, firemen's conventions, Ontario County Fair celebrations, circuses, concerts, carnivals and even a tightrope walker. Canandaigua established a Chamber of Commerce in 1909 and was incorporated as a city in 1913. By the 1930's Canandaigua's Downtown had become the economic and cultural center of the area., 1930's-1970's. As the steamboat, railroad, and trolley era faded around the 1930's, the major means of transportation became the automobile and the truck. Downtown was physically changed when a center median and a two lane highway was created in the 1950's. Downtown stores and businesses served city and area residents as well as providing a place for cultural and social events. By the 1970's, Canandaigua's Downtown remained the community's center destination point., 1970's-present. When Eastview Mall in Victor, New York was built in 1971, Downtown Canandaigua began to experience the decline of its importance as a shopping destination stop. Citizens and city government joined together to form the Historic District to keep Downtown economically healthy. The city succeeded in keeping most of its 19th century buildings intact. In 1992, the Business Improvement District was created. Today, Canandaigua's Downtown is a destination with a mixture of commercial and financial institutions as well as specialty shops, restaurants and art galleries., Presented to the City of Canandaigua September, 2006. , [Photo captions, alternating left and right, from top left, read] . Depiction of Main Street in 1789 . West Side c.1850 . c.1885 . c.1895 . c.1915 . East Side c.1960 . West Side c.1960 . East Side - 2006

1789-1820's
When Canandaigua was founded in 1789, Downtown served as the location of the land office for the Phelps-Gorham Purchase. The Downtown also served as a commercial center for new settlers and as a stopover for travelers in stagecoaches or on horses. By the 1820's, a corduroy or log roadway was built and Canandaigua's Downtown became a residential and commercial center of the community.

1820's-1860's
The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and since Canandaigua was not directly connected to it, economic growth slowed. Steamboat service began in 1827 and railroads in 1836 serving our local community, but did not spur major business growth until later in the century. By the 1860's, Canandaigua's Downtown thrived as a commercial center for the community.

1860's-1930's
When the Civil War ended in 1865, major railroad construction and the increase in the use of steamboats allowed the Canandaigua area to grow and develop industrially. Downtown became the center of the cultural life of the community with two churches, firemen's conventions, Ontario County Fair celebrations, circuses, concerts, carnivals and even a tightrope walker. Canandaigua established a Chamber of Commerce in 1909 and was incorporated as a city in 1913.

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By the 1930's Canandaigua's Downtown had become the economic and cultural center of the area.

1930's-1970's
As the steamboat, railroad, and trolley era faded around the 1930's, the major means of transportation became the automobile and the truck. Downtown was physically changed when a center median and a two lane highway was created in the 1950's. Downtown stores and businesses served city and area residents as well as providing a place for cultural and social events. By the 1970's, Canandaigua's Downtown remained the community's center destination point.

1970's-present
When Eastview Mall in Victor, New York was built in 1971, Downtown Canandaigua began to experience the decline of its importance as a shopping destination stop. Citizens and city government joined together to form the Historic District to keep Downtown economically healthy. The city succeeded in keeping most of its 19th century buildings intact. In 1992, the Business Improvement District was created. Today, Canandaigua's Downtown is a destination with a mixture of commercial and financial institutions as well as specialty shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Presented to the City of Canandaigua September, 2006

[Photo captions, alternating left and right, from top left, read]
• Depiction

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024

2. The Business District Marker

of Main Street in 1789
• West Side c.1850
• c.1885
• c.1895
• c.1915
• East Side c.1960
• West Side c.1960
• East Side - 2006

Erected 2006 by the City Historical Markers Committee and The Downtown Canandaigua Business Management Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.

Location. 42° 53.118′ N, 77° 16.793′ W. Marker is in Canandaigua, New York, in Ontario County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (New York State Route 21/332) and Coach Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is on The Commons park grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 166 South Main Street, Canandaigua NY 14424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of Canandaigua (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Step Back in Time Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Commons Park (within shouting distance of this marker); History Happened Here (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chamber Lot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pat Rini Rohrer

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(about 600 feet away); Village Square Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canandaigua.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.