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

Early Mills and Races

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

1. Early Mills and Races Marker

Inscription. In 1789 Ebenezer "Indian" Allen built the first saw and grist mills in the 100-acre tract. The tract was awarded to him in 1788 by Oliver Phelps during negotiations with the Seneca Tribe for the vast Phelps and Gorham Purchase. His mills, located near the present Aqueduct Street, fell into ruin. In 1812 Nathaniel Rochester, the new owner, reconstructed the raceway as a major power source. Other enterprising men blasted raceways: the Brown Brothers at the west end of the Upper Falls in 1816 and Johnson and Seymor at the east end of the small Upper Cascade in 1817.

Two are still in existence: the Johnson and Seymor Race, which spills out from under Rundel Memorial Library, and Brown's Race.

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

Location. 43° 9.359′ N, 77° 36.648′ W. Marker is in Rochester, New York, in Monroe County. It is in Downtown. It is on Main Street ¼ mile east of Exchange/State Street (New York State Route 383), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rochester NY 14614, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what 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 walking distance of this marker: Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); From Hunting Ground to City

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Genesee River (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick Douglass 1815-1895 (about 300 feet away); The Reynolds Arcade (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

More about this marker. Marker cannot be read from road - grey metal marker on grey granite pedestal with grey raised lettering.

Early Mills and Races Marker as seen facing east on Main image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

2. Early Mills and Races Marker as seen facing east on Main

Early Mills and Races Marker as seen facing west on Main image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

3. Early Mills and Races Marker as seen facing west on Main

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. This page has been viewed 862 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.