Historical Industrial Buildings (Self Guided), Rochester

Once a major manufacturing center, Rochester, NY went down in history as one of the United States' first boom-towns. Back in between 1860 and 1900 the city's population grew threefold on the back of the inflow of numerous immigrants – Italians, Germans, Irish and others – that saw Rochester expand dramatically on both sides of the Genesee River. During that period the city rose to prominence as the birthplace and home of some of America's most iconic companies, such as Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Western Union and more.

Owning to its rich industrial heritage, Rochester abounds in historical industrial buildings. Foremost among them is, undoubtedly, the Kodak Tower, formerly the headquarters of Eastman Kodak, recognized as an icon in the world of film photography (dubbed the "nerve center of photography"). Following its completion in 1914, it was the city's tallest building for over half a century until the Xerox Square Tower surpassed it in the late 1960s.

In 1967-69 Xerox Corporation built in Rochester a 30-story office building – Xerox Tower. The edifice is still the city's tallest, as well as the third tallest structure in New York State outside of New York City.

Another prominent landmark in the Rochester Skyline, boasting a triple mansard roof and observation tower, is the Powers Building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1904, it was once also the tallest building in Rochester, between 1873 and 1888. Not least noteworthy in this respect is the Times Square Building, an Art Deco skyscraper of 14 floors.

To visit these and other historical places that had shaped the image of Rochester, NY as the center of American industry, take this self-guided walking tour.