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

Early Mills and Races

By Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

1. Early Mills and Races Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the 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.

Location. 43° 9.359′ N, 77° 36.648′ W. Marker is in Rochester, New York, in Monroe County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Front Street (within shouting

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

By Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

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

distance of this marker); From Hunting Ground to City (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); Second Erie Canal Aqueduct (about 500 feet away); National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (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.

Categories. • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels •

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

By Yugoboy, September 19, 2012

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

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 18, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 17 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.