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    ~ ROCHESTER'S HISTORY ~
    AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE
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    Building RS&E tunnel under East Ave.
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      This location just west of downtown Rochester is the hub of transportation for the area. Indians for centuries used the Ohio Trail connecting the Mississippi River with the Great Lakes. This was a very important water route. Their portage that connected the inland river systems to the Great Lakes was was kept secret from the early European explorers of the area. Starting in Genesee Valley Park the portage followed Highland Avenue south of the Pinnacle Range cutting through this area on it's way to Indian Landing on Irondequoit Bay. East Avenue, Rochester's original primary approach from the east crosses here. The Erie Canal approached from south here and made it's turn westward for the city at East Avenue. Railroads and trolley lines from the north, south, east and west all intersected here. Today Interstate Highways 490 and 590 meet at this location. The nickname given to the intersection of these two superhighways sums up the confusing interweaving of transportation systems that have co-existed here over the years... 'The Can of Worms'.

      The cemetery in the background is still there today, visible from the highway only through a small gap in the trees on the hillside.

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