Welcome

Click for larger view.
Welcome to Wood Library's Historic Business District Audio Tour. On this tour you will be able to listen to audio recordings of each of the locations listed on the map to the left.

Tour Instructions:
To successfully participate in this tour, visit the locations listed on the map and click on the post with the matching letter.  To listen to the audio simply press the play symbol on the picture included in each post.  The audio plays via embedded YouTube videos.  You will need a strong 3G signal or a WiFi connection to listen to audio.

Feel free to leave comments on your favorite posts and email pictures of your favorite sites to rkirsop@pls-net.org (to be included on this site).

If you do not have access to a mobile device the library is loaning  iPods with the tour's audio content and a copy of the tour brochure.  In order to check out an iPod you will need to be 18 years or older with a valid library card and photo ID.

CDs and brochures are also available at the library.




Disclaimer: Using your 3G connection may incur additional data charges assessed by your provider.
If you experience any issues with the tour or this website contact Wood Library's Assistant Director, Ron Kirsop, rkirsop@pls-net.org.

A. Ontario County Courthouse, 27 North Main Street


Located on the Public Square, the Court House, was constructed in 1857. The end bays extending to the north and south were added in 1908. A gilded Statue of Justice stands atop the dome. The second floor court rooms house the Portrait Gallery of notable county citizens. In 1873, Susan B. Anthony was tried here and found guilty for voting in the previous year’s presidential election. The large boulder at the south-west corner of the courthouse property commemorates the 1798 signing of the Canandaigua Treaty between the United States government and the Haudenosaunee - Six Nations Iroquois (Native Americans).

B. Flannigan Building, 37-43 South Main Street


Constructed in 1890 by local builders Daniel Saunders and Clarence Mead, the Flannigan Building occupies a portion of early land developer Oliver Phelps property. The structure features towers at center front and south side, a corbelled cornice with bracketed ends and cast iron facade. Occupants in 1924 included the Postal Telegraph Cable Company and the American Railway Express, a provider of money orders and travelers checks.

C. Erina Hose Company, 13 Niagara Street


This 1873 Italianate building was a village fire station that housed both apparatus and horses. Originally, the building had double doors. A semi-circular gable is at the bracketed cornice line with a domed mansard roof located above the center entrance. A hose-drying tower is located to the south or back of the the building. An 1816 village ordinance established the Canandaigua Fire Company and public wells. Early purchases included fire engine, hooks, ropes, ladders, leather buckets and hose. The structure is now the location of a retail business, Angelic Dreams.

D. Masseth House, 19 Niagara Street


The Masseth House, an 1874 Italianate style hotel features round-headed windows on the building front and a heavy, double bracketed cornice. Evidence of the original two story veranda remains. Known as the railroad hotel, the Masseth House provided lodging to traveling salesmen. The ladder arch in the above photograph was constructed for a 1879 regional firemen’s celebration. In later years the Masseth House was renamed the Imperial Hotel. It is currently owned by the Elks Lodge 1844, which is working to preserve this historic landmark.

E. NY Central & Hudson Railroad Station, 20 Pleasant Street


NY Central & Hudson Railroad Station, 20 Pleasant Street
The Auburn branch of New York Central Railroad stopped at this station in Downtown Canandaigua on its run between New York City and Buffalo. When originally built in 1890, the station had a wide veranda on the building. At the peak of rail activity in the early 1900's more than thirty trains passed through Canandaigua each day. The last passenger train arrived in the city of May 1958. The station was originally located on the lower level of the Canandaigua Hotel which burned in 1972.

F. Ontario County Times Building, 83 South Main Street


Founded by Nathan Milliken as a voice for anti-slavery Whig Political Party, the Ontario County Times was housed in this mid-1800's building from 1895-1945. Rochester architect Claude Bragdon designed the Elizabethan facade. Local builders Rhoda Hogan and Hugh Smith constructed the “new” facade in 1909. Nathan Milliken’s son Charles founded the Ontario County Historical Society in 1902.

G. Tillotson Block, 153-169 South Main Street


Local builders McNulty and Murphy constructed this 21 bay block for local businessman Levi Tillotson in 1881. Modernization has significantly altered the exterior appearance of the block. For example, of the three original architectural towers only the northern-most remains. In 1881, original tenants included, among others, J.A. Meg’s Gent’s Furnishings Store and Mrs. Shay’s Fancy Goods & Millinery.

H. Hotel, Dennis Carmody, Proprietor, 207-209 South Main Street


In 1909, Hugh Smith erected this unique early 20th century commercial building for Dennis Carmody, the former proprietor of Canandaigua’s Washington Hotel on Ontario Street. Carmody established the Rochester Bowling Company next door at #211. It featured modern alleys. Later tenants of the building included William Fennell’s billiard hall, a vulcanizing works and McElwee Funeral Home and Furniture.

I. Early Federal Commercial Building, 217-221 South Main Street


Built on one of the Dudley Saltonstall lots, this early Federal structure features stepped end walls and chimneys. Built c. 1830-1840, the second floor may have been used as living quarters. This structure, the blacksmith shop located at 230-236, and the Federal buildings located at 199-205 South Main Street are the oldest commercial buildings still standing in Canandaigua.

J. William J. Hawley Automobile Company, 229 South Main Street


William J. Hawley established his dealership in Canandaigua in 1901 as motor vehicle transportation began to rapidly overtake horse-drawn transportation. The Willys Overland Company (of Indianapolis, Indiana) was formed by Canandaigua native and automobile pioneer John North Willys in 1907. The Willys “Knight” and “Whippet” competed with the popular Ford “Model T.” After his death, the company Willys founded Produced Jeeps for the army.

K. Walker Building, 230-236 South Main Street


One of the few remaining Federal buildings in the commercial district, this structure dates from c. 1845. Although the store sills and lintels remain, the original side chimneys have been removed. The structure was utilized as a blacksmith shop through the first decade of the 20th century. It was converted to automobile usage and operated as Russell’s Garage. In the late 1940's, it became Canandaigua Motors.

L. Flannigan Block, 206-208 South Main Street and Bennett Block 196-202 South Main Street


The Flannigan Block replaced the fire gutted Linnell Block. This Romanesque Revival structure displays a center gabled tower and cast iron store-front. The stone and brick window arches enclose carved wooden panels. In 1883, William Howley and Fred Classey operated a grocery store in the block.

The 1875 Bennett Block replaced the Antis Block, that was destroyed by fire in 1874. The Italianate structure features a corbelled cornice with center gable and eyebrow drip moldings. Watson’s grocery store was located here in 1889.

M. Bemis Block, 74-86 South Main Street


Named for James Bemis, the “Father of the Western Press” the Bemis Block was the first large, brick commercial block to be constructed on Main Street in 1854. The style is transitional Greek Revival/Italianate. The small balcony and chimneys, evident in the photograph, have been removed. Speakers in the third floor Bemis Hall included abolitionist Frederick Douglass, women’s rights advocate Susan B. Anthony and circus performer General Tom Thumb. Bemis Hall was later known as the McKechnie Opera House.

N. Canandaigua National Bank, 72 and 60-70 South Main Street


In 1887, with capital of $100,000, the Canandaigua National Bank opened its doors for business. The first Board of Directors included President Frank H. Hamlin, Hiram T. Parmalee and WIllis H. Tuttle. Originally located at 100 South Main Street, the bank moved to the present location in 1914. The Georgian Revival Structure (72) features a white marble facade. The Italianate facade to the north (60-70) duplicates the 1880 building that once stood there.

O. Draper Building, 56 South Main Street


The 1871 Draper Building is one of the three mansard-roofed structures that originally stood north of the Bemis Block. The third floor room features decorative slate, ornate window trim and four chimneys. J.C. Draper established his private bank in the imposing structure in 1871. A confectionery and later luncheonette with fountain, occupied the structure from 1907-1978. In 1924, the name Goodie Shoppe came to be used for the building. The chimneys were restored to the original design in the late 1990s.

P. Hubbell Block, 28-40 South Main Street


The 15 bay Italianate Hubbell Block (1869) features a central parapet, limestone sills and lintels, ornamental weepers (at windows) and corner quoins. Oakley, Clapp & Company of Horse heads crafted the cast iron storefront. Tenants in 1870 were physician James Hawley, attorneys Lapham and Harwood, and photographer Clark Marsh. Landscape artists Fred Crandall once had his studio in this building. In 1908, Peggy and Helen Steward opened their photography studio in the block. Note the north-facing skylight. 

Q. Canandaigua City Hall, 2 North Main Street


Built in 1824, this Federal structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Of note are the columned portico and clock tower. Major building restoration and an addition were completed in 1991. As the second county courthouse, it has served many community functions. At one time the police justice’s office and village lock-up were located here as was the Wood Library Association. Until recently the Canandaigua Town Hall and city police department occupied the building. The horse-drawn trolley pictured above carried passengers from North Main Street to the lake.To the north is Atwater park, named for community’s first doctor, Moses Atwater. The Medina sandstone bandstand was erected in 1912, a memorial gift from the daughters of Alexander Grieve, a local businessman.

R. United States Post Office, 30 North Main Street


The 1912 U.S. Post Office was built on the former site of Atwater Hall and the first Ontario County Historical Society building, a former law office. Mary Clark Thompson donated the land and architectural plans. Sonnenberg Mansion architect, Francis R. Allen and Charles Collins of Boston, designed the Classical Revival structured with a large entrance portico. Doric columns support the three-member entablature. The postal service vacated the building in 1991 and the structure is now part of the YMCA.