| This Victorian neighborhood on the river's western edge is the original residential center of Rochester. One of the earliest urban restoration success stories in the country, Corn Hill's spectacular Victorian houses were brought back from the brink of extinction during the 1960s by a pioneering group of city dwellers. Their success is easily measured by anyone walking these shady streets with their wrought-iron fences and beautifully restored homes. Furthermore, the neighborhood's second rejuvenation in the 1980's resulted in extensive new townhome development, a number of which have "granny flats" in the rear of the property.
To search for commercial office space, residential rental units, and a wide variety of service and amenities and entertainment options in the neighborhood, check out the
Corn Hill entry in the Interactive Map.
History
The architecture and streets of Corn Hill evoke memories of the first truly prosperous neighborhood in Rochester, as many buildings date back to the 1850s and earlier. Home to many of the City's early business and political leaders, Corn Hill's Exchange Boulevard once contained rows of elaborate mansions whose grounds rolled down to the banks of the Genesee. Unfortunately, by the early '60s many of these once proud homes were rapidly deteriorating or in use as rooming houses and small apartments. In 1965 Rochester experienced some of the worst race riots in the country, and whole blocks of structures in Corn Hill were torn down shortly thereafter, leaving acres of open space along the river. The remaining homes are testaments to the magnitude of this loss.
Drawn by the wonderful architecture and low prices, a few hardy persons began buying the often vacant and rundown properties in the late 1960s. What followed was a true urban renaissance as ramshackle mansions and dilapidated painted ladies were brought back to their original splendor.
The neighborhood is more than a collection of historic houses. The Corn Hill Association, formed by the early urban pioneers, has restored much of the public character of the area with circular parks, gazebos, and public walkways. A small neighborhood festival has evolved into the annual Corn Hill Arts Festival. Held in July, the festival attracts hundreds of artists and ten of thousands of visitors.
As Corn Hill was revitalized, area developers turned their interest to the large vacant area near the river and eventually built hundreds of upscale townhouses and a retail district, effectively doubling the population of this unique neighborhood.
Future
Corn Hill's future lies along the Genesee River. And excitement there continues to mount with the recent completion of the 127-residential-unit, mixed-use Corn Hill Landing project on a stretch of water that has been called the best crew racing river outside of Cambridge, Mass. The riverbank is also being restored to extend the Genesee River Trail between downtown and Genesee Valley Park. Meanwhile, you can already board the classic canal barge, "Mary Jemison", for a trip from downtown south to the crossing of the Erie Canal and the Genesee.
Festivals
Any depiction of life in downtown Rochester would be incomplete without a reference (in this case a hyperlink) to the innumerable festivals enjoyed by our residents. They include: the Rochester International Jazz Festival; the Corn Hill Festival (arts, crafts, and foods spread throughout this historic, riverside neighborhood); the 360/365 Film Festival; the Image Out/ Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (hosted annually at the Little Theatre); the Clothesline Festival (artists from the region and beyond on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery); the Park Avenue Merchants Festival (another local favorite that covers Park Avenue from Culver to Alexander); the Lilac Festival (world famous for its hills and dales of lilac bushes, this Festival also boasts top-shelf music and shopping); and, the Rochester Music Festival (a reflection of the changing music scene, the Music Festival is ever-evolving). Want to get an even closer look at what's driving the excitement about downtown living? Join this year's Inside Downtown Tour! |
