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Contemporary Photographs from Rochester Images of the
Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County

(click on the image below to see the full-size version from Rochester Images)

 

The Rochester Weighlock

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The Rochester Weighlock (or weigh lock) was built in 1852. It was located on the west bank of the canal, on the east side of the Genesee River, just south of Court Street. Canal boats enter the covered area, where the toll is determined by the weight of the loaded boat.

For details on how the weighlock worked, see Making It Work: The Weigh Lock in the Erie Canal -- 175th Anniversary section.

 
Erie Canal and the Rochester weighlock Rochester weighlock on the Erie Canal Erie Canal weigh lock
Erie Canal [and weighlock] / photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1910-1920? (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center -- A view of the Erie Canal weighlock, looking north with the Rochester skyline in the background. Weighlocks on Erie Canal, Rochester, N.Y. (214976 -- [Leighton & Valentine Co., N.Y.]) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division. -- A postcard view of the weighlock, looking north with the city in the background, approximately 1910. Erie Canal weigh lock / photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1911? (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- A view of the Rochester weighlock, looking northwest.
 
Erie Canal and the Rochester weighlock Rochester weighlock on the Erie Canal, looking south Subway construction near the old Erie Canal weighlock
Weigh lock / photographed by Albert R. Stone. (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- A view of the Erie Canal and the Rochester weighlock, looking north with the Rochester skyline in the background. Printed in Rochester Herald, May 19, 1911. Weigh lock [Rochester] / photographed by Albert R. Stone. (photograph ; b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- Rowboats going past the Rochester weighlock on the Erie Canal, looking south. Printed in Rochester Herald June 13, 1915. Subway construction near old Erie Canal weighlock in 1922. (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- Tracks for the Rochester subway are being laid near the Erie Canal Weighlock on the east side of the river just south of Court Street. Taken for Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, June 5, 1922.

 

The Erie Canal in the City of Rochester

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The Erie Canal was an integral part of life in the City of Rochester. Canal boats delivered goods, transported the products of Rochester industries, and even when just passing through affected city transportation by requiring bridges to raise or open. In the pictures below, one can get some idea how it was to live in a canal city.

Ice skaters on the Erie Canal Erie Canal near Exchange Street Erie Canal near Exchange Street
Ice skaters on Erie Canal at Exchange Street. 1874-1883? (photograph : b&w ; 3 1/2 x 5 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- Ice skaters are enjoying their pastime on the Erie Canal. The location is the vicinity of Exchange Street. Erie Canal near Exchange Street. 1885-1900? (photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- The Erie Canal, looking west from near Exchange Street. The Exchange Street Bridge over the Erie Canal is in the open position. Erie Canal near Exchange Street in 1880s. 1886-1889? (slide : col. ; 35 mm.) - From: City Hall Photo Lab vintage collection. -- The Erie Canal is shown looking east toward the Exchange Street Bridge.
 
West Avenue lift bridge over the Erie Canal Exchange Street Bridge over the Erie Canal Erie Canal near South Avenue
West Avenue lift bridge over the canal. 1888-1890? (photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the West Avenue lift bridge over the Erie Canal, looking east towards downtown Rochester. The bridge is raised, and several horse-drawn vehicles are waiting their turn to cross. A sign on the bridge reads "$25.00 fine for driving on this bridge after the gong sounds". This bridge replaced a swing bridge which existed earlier at this location. Exchange Street Bridge over the Erie Canal. 1894? (photograph : b&w ; 4 x 5 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the Exchange Street Bridge over the Erie Canal. The swing bridge is in the closed position and pedestrians, bicyclists and a street car are crossing over it. The view is to the northwest. Erie Canal near South Avenue. 1894-1899? (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the Erie Canal looking north toward Court Street. To the right are buildings along South Avenue.
 
Erie Canal in winter Bridges over the Erie Canal Erie Canal near Plymouth Avenue Bridge
Erie Canal in winter. 1899-1919? (negative : glass, b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. A wintertime view of the Erie Canal, looking east along the canal from Plymouth Avenue. On the right is the Fitzhugh Street Bridge. In the center is City Hall. Bridges over the Erie Canal. May 14, 1903. (photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of two bridges over the Erie Canal, looking southeast towards West Avenue. In the foreground is the West Avenue Bridge, while beyond it is the Caledonia Avenue Bridge. Erie Canal near Plymouth Avenue Bridge. September 20, 1903. (photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 1/2 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the Erie Canal in Rochester, with the Plymouth Avenue Bridge over the canal seen to the left.
 
Pedestrian bridge over Erie Canal at Exchange Street Canal boats near Washington Street Bridge View at Eastern Wide Waters, Erie Canal
Pedestrian bridge over Erie Canal at Exchange Street / photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1903-1913? (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- An elevated pedestrian bridge crosses the Erie Canal at Exchange Street. Canal boats near Washington Street Bridge. February 6, 1903. (photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 1/2 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the Erie Canal, looking north from near Washington Street. To the left is the Washington Street Bridge. Barge and canalboat on Erie Canal / photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1910-1920? (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- The canalboat Robert [C.?] Neil pushes a barge under a bridge on the Erie Canal.
 
Dry docked canal boats being repaired Canal boats on the Erie Canal in downtown Rochester Erie Canal viewed from Allen Street
Dry dock. (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) -- Dry docked canal boats being repaired and painted. Canal boats. (photograph: b&w; 7 x 9 in.) -- Many boats on the Erie Canal in downtown Rochester. Erie Canal viewed from Allen Street. (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) -- The Erie Canal in Rochester near Allen Street.
All three above: Photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1910-1920? - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center.
 
Erie Canal in winter Erie Canal in winter Construction equipment in canal bed
Erie Canal in winter. (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) -- The Erie Canal bed emptied of water in winter, viewed from Allen Street. Note that snow removed from the streets is dumped into the canal. Erie Canal in winter. (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) -- A wintertime view of the Erie Canal looking east towards the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. Construction equipment in canal bed. (photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) -- The canal has been emptied for the winter, and work is being done on the canal.
All three above: Photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1910-1920? - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center.
 
Erie Canal along South Avenue Erie Canal along South Avenue Lift bridge on the Erie Canal in Rochester
Erie Canal along South Avenue. August 1, 1914. (negative : glass, b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Rochester Municipal Archives early collection. -- The Erie Canal looking northeast, showing the wall of the canal and the balustrades along South Avenue on the right. Erie Canal along South Avenue. August 1, 1914. (negative : glass, b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Rochester Municipal Archives early collection. -- The Erie Canal looking south, showing the Court Street canal bridge crossing the waterway. A tow path runs alongside the canal on the right, and the retaining walls and balustrade are seen on the left. Lift bridge / photographed by Albert R. Stone. (photograph ; b&w ; 5 x 7 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- A boat passing under a lift bridge on the Erie Canal in Rochester. Printed in Rochester Herald June 13, 1915.
 
Boat ride on the Erie Canal Canal boats on the Erie Canal in Rochester Construction equipment in canal bed
Boat ride on the canal / photographed by Albert R. Stone. (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- Three men, a woman, and two children take a boat down the canal in downtown Rochester. Printed in Rochester Herald, June 13, 1915. Canal boats / photographed by Albert R. Stone. 1915? (photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in.) - From: Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center. -- Canal boats on the Erie Canal in Rochester. Panoramic view of Widewaters area at Culver Road, circa 1918. (negative : b&w ; 4 x 5 in.) - From: Rochester Public Library Local History Division picture file. -- A view of the Eastern Widewaters area of the Erie Canal, looking north from Cobb's Hill.
 
Erie Canal near Plymouth Avenue Construction equipment in canal bed
Erie Canal near Plymouth Avenue. (negative : b&w ; 4 x 5 in.) - From: Rochester Municipal Archives modern collection.-- The Erie Canal is shown in the early 1920s, drained for construction of the Rochester Subway. The view faces west. Aerial view of Rochester in late 1930s. ca. 1938? (slide : col. ; 35 mm.) - From: City Hall Photo Lab vintage collection. -- An aerial view of downtown Rochester, showing the Genesee River flowing through the center of the city. In the foreground, over the river, is the Court Street dam, followed by the Court Street, Broad Street, Main Street, Andrews Street and Central Avenue bridges. In the far left, the Genesee gorge is shown below the Upper Falls.

Visit Rochester Images for more pictures of the Erie Canal and the City of Rochester and environs.
(Monroe County Library System / Local History / Digital Collections)


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