A Visit to Rochester, NY (1989)

Nearly 20 years ago, I made a trip back to the city I called home during my college years - Rochester, NY. I left there to move South around 1971 and this was my first time back since then. Despite the extra cold Winters, I always loved Rochester. The area is home to a number of international businesses, including Fortune 1000 companies Eastman Kodak, Constellation Brands, and Paychex, as well as several national and regional companies. Because of the high prevalence of imaging and optical science among the industry and the universities, Rochester is known as the world capital of imaging. The Rochester Institute of Technology has one of the best imaging science departments in the country. In 2005, the University of Rochester became the largest employer in the Rochester area, surpassing Kodak.
Here, we'll take a look at some the highlights including my alma mater, RIT and it's radio station where I got my start, WITR. Also seen is Kodak's Headquarters, Xerox Bldg, Genesee Beer Co, downtown, Cobb's Hill with TV transmitters, the George Eastman House, a couple of places where I lived in the 1960s, and more. It's a quick trip thru the city. There were a lot of changes I saw in those 20 years. Perhaps it has changed again in the 20 years since I shot this tape.
BTW, the original was shot on S-VHS with a Panasonic AG camera. Even though it's analog, S-VHS was a nice, sharp format. The narration was on-the-spot back then. I re-edited it and added the music for KZbin.
I hope you enjoy my look at a fine city.
UPDATE: This video (& Kerry's Kitchen) can also be seen on Time-Warner Cable in Rochester, NY on Ch. 111.
Recorded: August 29, 1989

[@hemp4206]

I was born in Rochester in 1989 . It’s crazy to see how much different everything was back then now that it’s 2021

[@quarterkeydre4392]

Me to lol sept 1989

[@bartocgi]

Well, im originally from CT. I moved to rochester in 1989. I raised 4 kids with my wife here. The school systems in the suburbs are much better than Florida!It was the best move of my life. Ive lived here for 27 years now!Rochester is coming back;bigtime!!!...

[@motoknivesandgunsbyjt]

How about now?

[@demha5854]

Stop The CAP 🧢

[@joebuzz2758]

Rochester (Henrietta) native, born 1967. I love watching all video's of Rochester, the older the better.

[@cdog-qw1ye]

"where would we be without Eastman Kodak?"...well, now in 2021 we can answer that question.

[@babeena_gt_3645]

Cancer free

[@sladevader3478]

Back then you could still have a job at Kodak.

[@jasonhaynes2952]

The joke is, Kodak just announced they're laying off half their workforce. Now there's only 3 people left!

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

Indeed

[@RochesterNY607]

Amazing footage, could watch old Roch footage all day.

[@USMC-ParrisIsland]

The wife and I spent nearly forty years in Perinton, NY; which is just outside of the city. Schools were great for our kids. I worked in the city, but there is no way that I would have raised my kids there. Today, our next to oldest son lives in Ontario County. When we moved to Monroe County in the early 1970's, the city of Rochester was Conservative. Not today, you guy have a peach(Tongue In Cheek) of a Mayor. My wife and I now live in the south, and are happily retired. Rochester is too dangerous for us to even think of visiting. Nonetheless, thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@janesmith7676]

A conservative Rochester. That just sounds so foreign to me, lol. Definitely would have to be a LONG time ago to imagine the city that way.

[@bradtipton986]

You brought back some old memories to this RIT Grad, class of '71. I was in the last class to attend both old and new campuses. The old dorm, the former Hotel Rochester is no longer standing, I have some hilarious memories about living on the 7th floor. I have a KZbin of the demolition. Who knows, we may have met there all those (50?) years ago on campus. With my age and health, I doubt that I will get back for a visit. OH, and I drank enough Genesee Cream Ale to float an aircraft carrier as a student there.

[@Nickos1b]

I graduated from RIT in 1986 so this is pretty much how I remember the city although we didn't go downtown very often. The school of photography is where I spent most of my time and there it was in your video. When out of campus I lived at Rustic Village and then I rented a nice place at twelve corners. Being foreign it all looked wonderful to me and I don't recall worrying much about dangerous areas. Of course I was introduced to chicken wings and our favourite place was Red Rooster. There was a lot to do on campus on our free time, three movie theaters, swimming pool, ice ring plus parties every weekend. The one place I miss is Little Theater where I have watched so many movies. I loved coming in from Rochester's brutal cold to the warmth in the scent of buttered pop corn! It is a pity that I missed the opportunity to visit again in 2020. I was going to fly to Boston and drive to Cleveland so a stop to my old school and town was on the plans. Obviously due to the epidemic I had to cancel unfortunately.

[@junejones9819]

Wow I moved here from NYC. 1989.. cool video..things has definitely changed, downtown etc.. The weather, tho. Keeps me confused and sick.(it can be winter spring summer fall all in one day at times.. Loll..But it's a Beautiful Town. ..Stay safe and Healthy during the coronavirus..💒

[@jakester585]

Wow, great video. I'm a Rochester native and the building (with the circle top) used to be called The Changing Scenes restaurant back then. My mom was a Jazz pianist who played there right around 1988-89. I think it's just an office building now.

[@timevans7141]

“Changing scenes” because I believe it used to rotate slowly. I was about 8yo around the time, but I’m pretty sure that’s the story of that restaurant...

[@jasonlove7185]

Yup still there and looks like crap

[@Will-vl7cb]

@@timevans7141 yes!!! My dad kept telling me it was put out of comission

[@blackhole4466]

*I remember RIT radio. The night DJ would fall asleep for an hour or so. Even now, I can still hear the needle hitting the end of record scratch. lol*

[@TheShyShotaArcive]

Maybe over 30 years old but still looks like the same.

[@KKD1247]

My undercarriage - and my cars - nearly rotted out too with all the salt Rochester used to put on the streets in the Winter.

[@Niababii585]

490 looks exactly the same 😂

[@jjackson3602]

Lmfao!! I was saying the same damn thing. I just drove on that road yesterday...it still needs maintenance. Lol

[@winsomework2533]

Was this video recommended to y’all by KZbin too? 😂😂 such an old video idk how I got here

[@jjackson3602]

@@winsomework2533 yes it was. How random lol. Damn KZbin must be reading my location lol

[@Emmybaby30]

It don’t look like that anymore. ☹️😐 I live here

[@kapchis]

Thanks so much for this trip to my hometown! I was about 18 when you recorded this. I never thought I'd leave that town, and I'm glad I did, but I miss it!

[@rodneyperry6942]

You can still get a garbage plate ar Nick Tahoes (but I don't think it's the same like when Nick had it, so I go to Mark's on Monroe Avenue and get a sloppy plate)

[@jackthecommenter2768]

@@rodneyperry6942 dang I do like myself a good garbage plate

[@peterbelanger4094]

@@rodneyperry6942 Sadly, I hear Nick's is hitting some hard times, covid really hurt business.

[@OfficialDemego]

@@peterbelanger4094no it’s not Covid… they said something about allowing customers to carry guns inside. Now people are afraid to go in

[@seanmcnulty79]

Always enjoy videos like this. I went to middle school in Corn Hill (1st ward) at the time you visited and worked in the building on Main street. that was half finished at the time of this video. That building became the Hyatt Regency.

[@Dennis_Reynolds_Golden_God]

Thanks for posting this. Im 22 and Ive lived in Rochester all my life. Needless to say, it looks completely different....some for the worst....but definitely some for the better. Its real cool to see what it looked like when I was a little kid

[@WildDieWoodard]

Fun video... Born (1969) and raised in Rochester and while you were shooting this video, I was in my second year of college at SUNY Brockport (other side of town)! I've since moved away to Los Angeles (1992) and I have to say, I don't miss very much about Rochester... ;-)

[@uncbadguy]

I got the hell out in 2005. I just could not handle the "lean into the wind slippery sidewalk shuffle" anymore.....

[@howardjonesjr7388]

Huh?

[@ronisolomon]

Thanks for posting this fantastic video! I spent the first 22 years of my life living in Rochester, and graduated from RIT in 2008. Rochester is quite an enigmatic city, you either get it or you don't. I currently live in New York City, in an area which is densely populated by my friends from RIT. All of us miss Rochester dearly and reminisce about our days at school and in the city.

[@hi_wifi_guy]

Great video, takes me back. I lived in Rochester in the late 70s and early 80s.

[@rodneyperry6942]

What school did you go to? I went to East

[@jasonlove7185]

Yup the light at the Kodak building is still lit

[@erikparent8176]

Yupper, now frontier field is near by. It's a beautiful place to watch a ballgame, on a sunny summer day!

[@IanHunter78]

1989 was a great year! In many ways it was the last year of my childhood. Rochester looked so much more prosperous back then. Nowadays it's a skeleton of it's former self. I wonder what the 10 year old version of myself was doing right then... Heh, they still used vinyls at the radio stations. I love it!

[@BabyBugBug]

I was born in June 1990. I feel old now watching all the youngins now. And I bet I make you feel really old lol. Time goes by so quickly!

[@suemccauley2752]

Wonderful looking back in time. Rochester born and raised.

[@bebeloveu7305]

Wow I was just 2 days old when this video was recorded. Time fly real quick im 31 now

[@DOLPHINLADYFOXandPUP]

wow born raised (40yrs) in Rochacha ...round top of building was a revolving restaurant! we were very HIGH walking around downtown going to clubs...when 1st saw the what looked like a spaceship on top of building, going slowing in circles w/ lights all around, scared the shit out of me! moved from there to Hawaii 23 yrs ago...much better!!!

[@Casper_loecc]

Born in 86 this is so cool to watch I love it

[@stilleve757]

This was fun to see! Only had lived there a year at the time of your video

[@KKD1247]

You're welcome! Yup...the Time Capsule ar RIT has a reel-to-reel tape of my radio show in there. Good luck to the people of the future who try and play it!

[@DJDoubleCee]

Shoot! I’m from Rochester and I was only eight months old when this video was filmed. This city sure changed a great deal over the years.

[@stevetrumbull4990]

"What would downtown Rochester be without Eastman Kodak"

[@toddherman5068]

lifelong Rochester product..that was awesome to see

[@uservemewell]

I like your video. Your tone at some points expresses a lot of disbelief and surprise at the changes, some not for the better, like the disappearance of the drug store/soda shop or a highway being built right next to the apartments you used to live in. I bet if you visited it again today you would be yet again shocked at the rust belt decay. RIT however has some really nice facilities nowadays and looks much different from how it did in 1989, though the core buildings are still there.

[@GenX_US_Marine]

5:33 that overpass leads into a mall, if I remember correctly. I was in Rochester at this exact time. I lived roughly 5-10 minutes from down town.

[@g.elliott4789]

Thanks for the tour, fond memories: G. Elliott, photo '69

[@catgumart]

isnt it amazing how time elapses, and things change. 15 years ago I was 17 and I remember it perfectly, well I remember a lot of things very well, and I remember experiencing life and being me in 1994, Now Im 32, But I know time is going to go on just like it has and in 15 more of theses quick passing years Ill already be 47,,,nearly 50! It just amazes me time..especially when Im in a waiting room and time goes so slowly.

[@GringoinPanama]

Thanx from here and appreciate taking time to put together. One note Looks as tho you were looking at Pinnacle Hill while shooting from Cobbs Hill

[@rgxrjj9535]

this my hometown i will forever love this place

[@mikecaseymotors]

The hill with the antennas on it is Pinnacle Hill. I believe the reservoir from which you were filming it was Cobb's Hill.

[@Xxkatiev65]

i live here !

[@JubloxkFazo]

Same

[@DeniseEggertwaterlily]

They built up R.I.T. A LOT since you visited in 1989.You wouldn't even recognize it. It is huge!

[@rrw5834]

I moved to SC in 2013, but it will always be home !

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Things in The "Flower" City have REALLY changed over the last 50 years. The difference between the late '60s and '80s is big, but from '89 until now!?!? Thanks for the memories!

[@alexclement7221]

FWIW, there is only 1 transmitter on Cobbs Hill, and that is the county vehicle dispatch radio. The commercial transmitters are all on Pinnacle Hill.

[@erikparent8176]

Cobbs hill is one of my favorite places to bike to and I like to walk around the reservoir and Washington Grove.

[@rrw5834]

Where I was born - that’s my town !

[@victoryhillstudioanimalpor2625]

Came across your video...how wild to see RIT as it was again! I'm a Rochester native. I graduated in 1985 with a BFA and was the first to be married in the Interfaith Chapel. RIT has grown and changed drastically since 1989. There has been so much expansion over the years that the campus WE knew is swallowed up in many new additions!! The entrance has been modernized, which looks much better.

[@KKD1247]

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear NRH is gone but it was old when I lived there. I'm sure those old LPs were really scratched up - especially the first few seconds where we cued them up over & over.

[@christsservant5472]

I was 10 years old then. The cars look soooooo old!

[@stevarino1989]

This was taken about 3 months after I was born. After seeing this, and hearing my grandmother's stories, downtown has changed ALOT. I am too young to remember Midtown Plaza in it's prime but I did go there once during the holidays when I was 6. My grandma was always telling me about how downtown used to be before it's current condition. So Rochester isn't perfect but there are lots of things unique about it that no other city has.

[@lulapressley8999]

119

[@paleo99]

I grew up in Rochester and will say the suburbs are nice and affordable if your able to obtain a decent paying job. I wouldn't waste much time in the city for obvious reasons though. It was and always has been an area most people avoid unless you want to risk getting shot.

[@elasticxplastic]

Thanks for uploading this. Cool to see all of the records in WITR.

[@Mark1976]

Spent many hours hanging out at WITR while friends were on the air. I must have walked a hundred times over the time capsule and never noticed it! Thanks for posting this.

[@MarkCzelus]

man, has this city changed dramatically...

[@kapchis]

I was just listening a little closer to your trip to the hotel where your parents stayed and your apartment... I think my parents lived on Troupe Street in the late 60's before they purchased their first house on Adams Street in Corn Hill. I'm sending this to my dad right now!

[@DatGurlBree585]

The weather is soo crazy here

[@KKD1247]

Thanks. I'm not really surprised. RIT always looked to the furure - not the past. I haven't shot any film in over 5 years. But I did spend many an hour in those darkrooms & its sad to see them go.

[@robertjack4329]

looks like even back then it was starting to decline. there is a high amount of poverty now.

[@tommcneill6292]

Nope, we good

[@Default64]

@@tommcneill6292 Nope, you still have high poverty rates and terrible school districts.

[@rodneyperry6942]

@moestavernprankcall yeah, it's a mess. My mom still lives there and I get thru once a month. They've done a lot since then, but mostly around the inner loop (or what's left of it). Not a fan of what they have planned, like narrowing down East ave and putting in a bike lane. That's the emergency route for when 490 gets closed or restricted because of an accident. They want to put a bike lane in (like maybe 4-5 months is bike riding season). They filled in the south and east end of the inner loop. (Making it difficult for trucks to get to the brewery from 490 on the east side of town. It now ends at Main st by university.). They knocked down midtown plaza. From what I hear, they knocked down the Mortimer st parking garage and put in a bus station that serves RTS, Greyhound, and Trailways. I go downtown now and it's totally different than when I moved away in 2006. I grew up in Rochester (moved there in 72). And i get lost in downtown, anymore. There are new streets, missing streets, a traffic circle...i get lost anymore. But yeah, they still have a poverty problem along with the associated crime. I remember back in the early 90's, i felt rather safe in downtown. Now, not so much. Things have changed quite a bit.

[@fayeteville]

thanks for the video, I suppose spring and summer must be nice there-

[@cameronkremer12]

So this get recommended to anyone else for some odd reason?

[@jasonlove7185]

This was on my birthday I turned 6 you were near my street...wow

[@awyff]

Very cool look in time for those of us who were not born yet :)

[@0cholopez]

I was 6 when this was shot. I lived in the 19th ward.

[@allancuseo7431]

I never left. Love it here

[@Broth2000]

Nice video, my dad went to RIT in the early 60's I got to show him this video, cool.

[@jwazy1095]

That was Great !! Really neat to see how the city was back in time !

[@MrJackanand]

Notice all the rusty vehicles back then in the 80's.

[@rodneyperry6942]

With all that salt, you'd be rusty too!

[@corygoodfriend9611]

great video, but that in not Cobbs hill. That is Pinnacle Hill. The ones with all the TV Antennas on it.

[@allwightallwong5045]

Cory Goodfriend It looked like he was standing on Cobbs Hill from what I viewed. I remember going sledding down this hill. This is in Brighton where he's at right now

[@rebeccam7326]

Look at those old ass cars too. Fascinating.

[@quarterkeydre4392]

I can’t wait til I’m out of here and can look back at my generation of Rochester NY

[@KKD1247]

RIT is a wonderful, exciting school - just as it was when I attended there. Explore several of the clubs and activities the school offers. It is a great way to make friends and perhaps do good in the community. Balance your schooling - your activities - and your free time and you will gain much from the experience.

[@suespony]

Well that was a neat little video, I was on my late 20's when you made it, gheesh, 60 now!

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

Jesus. In 1989, I was between 7 and 8 yro. You sound like somebody who I just met down the street.

[@williamherbert]

Beautiful tribute and a great time capsule of my childhood home.

[@woodspirit98]

Born there. Left after I got out of the military. Best thing I ever did.

[@anthonyp6x428]

Back then you could walk outside in the city without fear

[@nadiavasilik4891]

Thank YOU for Sharing,!!!

[@abenjam2]

back in this time was when rochester was a greater city than it is now. I am a resident of the roc and i hate it now!

[@rbsmith3365]

I remembered. I’ve been staying with a friend for a week in nearby Fairport before Labor Day 1981. I haven’t been to many parts in Rochester. I do have some pictures. I remembered downtown mall and Sibley’s dept store. Including RIT and National Institute of Technology for the Deaf. In 1989, I was in San Antonio and old friend says that San Antonio is better than Rochester. Now, he’s living near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

[@KKD1247]

Yes...to all of the above! RIT was previously located down the street from Kodak until about 1968.

[@JewballM]

Thanks for uploading! I'm at UofR now - some things have changed, others haven't.

[@dj_react]

lol. I lived at that house on Crosman too! Same side. But in 2003.

[@rebeccam7326]

Lol the Genesee River looks less dirty, but I think Downtown looks better now. I've stayed at that hotel. It's the Rochester Riverside Hotel now, not a Holiday Inn and it's rather dated, but undergoing renovations. I'd have been 3 when this was filmed lol.

[@jjackson3602]

Yes, downtown looks better right now, but that damn crime rate in this city is a mess...im moving in a few months

[@yvonnew5186]

Fun to see the old footage.

[@BunnyKramer]

so cool! Wish you'd walked a bit farther out S Plymouth.

[@johnturner2946]

I was born and raised in Rochester at 262 Orange Street in front of the old 17 school, 1955 to some time around 1965 when they bought my parents house to build a new 17 school. Orange Street was pretty much all Italians back then. John Turner is my internet name. If you know who I am, say Hi :) I know it won't be Emily, she was an old lady when I was 8. I remember Joe and Mike 3 door's down from 262 and the Stalls next door.

[@josephbanker3829]

I was 10 days, old living here.

[@KKD1247]

Hi. I lived in NRH my Freshman year. I was also near Troup St and the Student Union Bldg / WITR campus radio. Its changed a lot since I was there.

[@mbeezy5859]

Home sweet home

[@xvoy2002]

Interesting video. I visited Rochester in 1985 as part of a college class trip. We visited the kodak plant and the Eastman house. I dont' remember the city being so large. Maybe we just didn' get ot the downtown area. Very well done.

[@SuV33358]

My home for 52 yrs . West side

[@anthonydifabio3406]

At 4:15 of this production he shows a empty parking lot and says when he was in college it is to be a neighborhood drug store and soda fountain. He then states it's all gone now. Sadly he was only half right. The soda fountain and the store are indeed gone but the drugs remain which is one of the main reasons this city as gone downhill.

[@TwoTrueFreaks]

I was a DJ in 1989! Kathy the dj is still around, only with loooong hair!

[@zod5966]

Come back and do a 30 year later update. Be sure to bring a gun.

[@jakeburchfield6692]

A gun isn't gonna help now

[@tommcneill6292]

Ignorant and dumb

[@russdangelo5142]

Things are not the same as they were back then in the 70’s and early 80’s. Downtown Rochester is very dangerous even in the middle of the day.

[@marlineharrold1937]

I enjoyed watching this. 🧡

[@KKD1247]

It was sure a welcome change from the brutal Winter.

[@blaknbeauty1]

The 80's The Good old Days! 👍💜🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉