Maplewood Historic District in Rochester in Monroe County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kelsey's Landing

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

1. Kelsey's Landing Marker

Inscription. Freedom was assured for escaping slaves who boarded Canadian vessels here at the end of the Underground Railroad.

Erected 1984 by City of Rochester.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 43° 10.94′ N, 77° 37.79′ W. Marker is in Rochester, New York, in Monroe County. It is in the Maplewood Historic District. It can be reached from Maplewood Park near Driving Park Avenue. This marker is just east of the parking lot in Maplewood Park. It is located about 20 feet from the Casconchiagon marker (see photos). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rochester NY 14613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Finger Lakes.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what

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was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Casconchiagon (here, next to this marker); Deaf Education (approx. 0.3 miles away); Samuel Torres (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Samuel Torres (approx. 1.2 miles away); Congregation B'Nai Israel (approx. 1.2 miles away); King's Landing 1796 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Genesee River Gorge: Industrial & Urban Development (approx. 1.2 miles away); Genesee River Gorge: Geology (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

More about this marker. Given the topography of the area, the landing was located many many feet down in the gorge. Fortunately, viewing the marker does not require going down into the Genesee River gorge.

Regarding Kelsey's Landing. Kelsey's Landing has an important place in Underground Railroad history. While there is no way to know how many slaves gained their freedom via this route, three specific slaves did. The men who escaped

Kelsey's Landing and Casconchiagon Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

2. Kelsey's Landing and Casconchiagon Markers

in the chaos of the Christiana "Riot" reached Rochester and the home of Frederick Douglass. He led them to the Landing where one of the men gave him a gun used in the Riot in gratitude. Unfortunately, the gun was likely lost in the 1872 fire that destroyed Douglass' home, precipitating his move to Baltimore.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Christiana Riot Markers

Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Kelsey's Landing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

3. Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Kelsey's Landing Marker

Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Diving Park Ave. - facing east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

4. Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Diving Park Ave. - facing east

Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Diving Park Ave. - facing west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

5. Entrance to Maplewood Park as seen from Diving Park Ave. - facing west

Kelsey's Landing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, July 30, 2012

6. Kelsey's Landing

The site of Kelsey's Landing (which no longer exists) as seen from the Driving Park Bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2012, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. This page has been viewed 2,930 times since then and 247 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.