Canandaigua in Ontario County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Commons Park
History Happened Here
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024
1. Commons Park Marker
In the 19th Century, Canandaigua was such an important stop between the east and the emerging western frontier. It is hard to imagine the enormous footprint of the Webster Hotel that serviced all those weary travelers.
The Corner of Main and Coach Streets was the sight of three hotels before it became Commons Park. For a while it also served as Canandaigua's jail. Following the 1865 assassination of Lincoln, accused conspirator, John Surratt, spent two nights here. The hotel register provided evidence of his stay here in his subsequent trial.
1800 · The Pitts Hotel
1827 · The Franklin House
1860 · Franklin House Burns
1861 · Webster House Erected
1865 · Guest: John Surratt
1945 · Renamed Pickering Hotel
1966 · Renamed Webster House
1967 · Fire at the Webster House
1967 · Merchants/City Purchase
2005 · City Dedicates New Park
[Photo captions, clockwise from top left:]
• 1860s Before the Roads Were Paved
• c.1912
• 1922 · The "Hitch Sheds" utilized by the Webster Hotel
were located on the existing parking lot just west of Commons Park.
• 1967 · Following the 1967 fire, this interior wall became
an exterior wall and the top two floors were removed.
• The Webster House [blue] Two Stores & Two Floors Remain
One
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 42° 53.126′ N, 77° 16.809′ W. Marker is in Canandaigua, New York, in Ontario County. Marker is on Coach Street west of Main Street (New York State Route 21/332), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 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. Step Back in Time Mural (here, next to this marker); History Happened Here (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); City of Canandaigua (a few steps from this marker); The Business District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chamber Lot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pat Rini Rohrer (about 500 feet away); Village Square Building (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canandaigua.
Also see . . . When the Webster House became the Pickering Hotel (Paulson, Daily Messenger, 2020). (Submitted on May 5, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024
2. Commons Park Marker (on kiosk in foreground left)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024
3. Commons Park
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 3, 2024
4. The 3/50 Marker (Non-historical)
The Chamber of Commerce is doing its job!
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on May 6, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
