TIMELINE
1822
-
Feeder Canal is built on east side of the river from the site of University
of Rochester's chapel to the intersection of Mt Hope and South Ave. This
canal brought water to feed the canal and bypassed the rapids. This eliminated
the need for cargo to be transferred, ending the usefulness of Castletown
which was eventually absorbed into Rochester.
.
1824
-
"Canawlers' dock boats at Castletown and calmer Eastern Widewaters, where
small communities thrive during the winter.
.
1888
-
Land is acquired for two city parks by a bickering Parks Commission. South
Park, featured rolling wooded hills along the river. Landscape architect
Frederic Law Olmsted plants 10,500 shrubs, 70,000 trees. Located at Castletown,
it was such a peaceful, tranquil location, it washed clean Castletown's
reputation. Located upriver from any industry even it's water was considered
unpolluted and it's Upper River Ice was used in the ice house on Genesee
St. Renamed shortly after opening it is now called Genesee Valley Park.
-
Erie Railroad agrees to run weekend excursions on rail lines adjacent to
park
.
1891
-
Plymouth trolley line enters park.
-
Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad runs weekend and holiday excursions
to the park.
-
Golf course built.
-
Baseball field laid out.
-
Farm building moved to river bank and converted into a boathouse. Local
athletic clubs rent space to build their own boathouses.
.
1893
-
Refectory opened.
.
1894
-
Refectory expands snack bar.
-
Merry-go round, a second baseball diamond, bicycle track, and athletic
building constructed.
.
1897
-
Park police acquire bicycles so that they can move around the parks easier.
.
1899
-
A nine hole golf course is laid out. This is only the fourth one in the
United States maintained at public expense.
-
Two tennis courts added to the park.
-
Lifeguards are provided at the swimming hole in the river.
-
A tree lined, two lane parkway is proposed to circle the city. Genesee
Park Boulevard is the only section actually built before the law was set
aside.
.
1901
-
Weekly band concerts begin.
.
1905
-
Water Carnival draws 50,000 in July. Annual event stops during W.W.I.
.
1908
-
120 acres donated by Miss Frances Baker, park acreage totals 550.
.
1910
-
State builds the Court Street Dam at the site of the Johnson and Seymour
Feeder Dam. River level is raised to 12 ft. when portion of river was made
a part of the canal.
The rapids at Castletown are submerged.
-
Additional land purchased giving a total area of 635 acres.
.
1919
-
Canal closed in city. New route goes south of city through Genesee Valley
Park.
. 
GENESEE
VALLEY PARK
POST CARDS
The
Entrance to the Subway, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Rustic
Entrance to Subway, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Subway
into Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
City
Farm, South Park, Rochester, NY
May-pole
Dance. Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Artists'
Nook, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
A Stream
in Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Boating,
Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Swans
in Red Creek, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
The
Big Elm, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Rustic Bridge,
South Park, Rochester, N. Y.
Genesee
Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Foot Bridge,
Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, N. Y.
Band
Stand, South Park, Rochester, NY
Band
Concert, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, N. Y.
Genesee
Valley Park, Rochester, NY
A
winter day Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Spring High
Water in Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, N. Y.
High Water,
Red Creek, Genesee Park, Rochester, NY
Scene
in Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Genesee
Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Scene on
Upper Genesee River, Rochester, NY
View
on the Genesee River at, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Elmwood
Ave. Bridge over Genesee River, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
Boat
Landing, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY
River and
Boathouses, Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, N. Y.
South Park,
Rochester, NY
Genesee
Valley Park Golf Club House, Rochester, N. Y.
Genesee
Valley Park Golf Club, Rochester, NY
.
