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

Main Street Bridge

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

1. Main Street Bridge Marker

Inscription. Before the first Main Street Bridge was completed in 1812, pioneers faced hazardous crossings of the Genesee River. In 1809, the state legislature ordered joint construction by Ontario and Genesee Counties of a bridge at the Old Falls. The new bridge linked development on both sides of the river and spurred formation of Monroe County, 1821.

When the present stone-arch bridge was completed in 1857, 3- and 4- story brick buildings lined both sides, obscuring the river view. Under a 1960's urban renewal program, the buildings were demolished to create Crossroads Park and Charles H. Carroll Plaza (named for one of Rochester's founders) which opened up river vistas downtown.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 43° 9.384′ N, 77° 36.608′ W. Marker is in Rochester, New York, in Monroe County. It is in Downtown. It is on Main Street 0.2 miles west of St. Paul Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rochester NY 14604, 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: Erie Canal (a few steps from this marker); The Genesee River (a few steps from this marker); From Hunting Ground to City

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Mills and Races (within shouting distance of this marker); Austin Steward 1793-1869 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Granite Building (about 300 feet away); Historic Site in Journalism (about 500 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.

Also see . . . Main Street Bridge - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Main Street Bridge Marker as seen facing east on Main image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

2. Main Street Bridge Marker as seen facing east on Main

Main Street Bridge Marker as seen facing west on Main image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

3. Main Street Bridge Marker as seen facing west on Main

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 16 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.