Corn Hill’s name is wrapped in mystery, but its spirit is undeniable. While no one knows for sure how it came to be, three ideas stand out:
One theory suggests that Native Americans cultivated corn on the elevated land above the Genesee River, and as travelers headed north, they saw the “hill of corn” stretching out before them.
Another points to the early pioneers of Rochesterville, who planted corn in the fertile riverbanks. As the Erie Canal came into play, travelers passing by might have been struck by the sight of “hills of corn” in the distance.
Then there’s the idea that Corn Hill borrowed its name from a prestigious district in London — an ambitious nod to sophistication as Rochester grew into a bustling town. This neighborhood eventually became known as Rochester’s “Ruffled Shirt Ward,” or “Silk Stocking District.”
No matter how it got its name, Corn Hill stands as a living testament to Rochester’s rich history — a neighborhood of striking buildings, unforgettable stories, and unforgettable people.
Corn Hill Was Home to Son House for Over Twenty Years
If you’ve ever walked through Corn Hill, you’ve walked in the footsteps of Eddie James “Son” House, Jr. (1902-1988) For over two decades, this legendary bluesman made the neighborhood his home.
Born in 1902, Son House was more than just a musician — he was a force of nature, with a voice that could stir the soul and a slide guitar style that left an indelible mark on blues history.
A preacher before he became a blues singer, House merged the fervor of his religious background with the raw energy of the blues. While he never achieved widespread fame during his lifetime, his influence on the genre was immense.
After a stint in prison, House’s music was rediscovered by young record collectors in the 1960s, sparking a resurgence in his career. He played folk festivals, and coffeehouses, and recorded albums, becoming a blues icon.
He passed away in 1988, but his legacy is forever tied to the heart of Corn Hill.
Ralph Avery: An Artist Who Captured Corn Hill’s Beauty
Corn Hill also played muse to Ralph Avery, an artist whose love for the neighborhood shines through in his paintings. Avery made his home at the Daughters of the American Revolution house on Livingston Park, with a studio at 60 North Fitzhugh Street.
Avery’s work captured the essence of Corn Hill in a way that few could. His paintings were so beloved that Reader’s Digest featured his work on its cover 14 times.
His famous painting “The Statue of Mercury” has become an iconic symbol of Rochester. Avery’s estate donated over 450 of his works to the Memorial Art Gallery, leaving a visual legacy that continues to inspire today.
A Historic Neighborhood, Rich in Stories
Corn Hill’s streets tell tales of some of America’s most important figures: Col. Nathaniel Rochester, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Ralph Avery. The neighborhood was also home to the Rochester Orphan Asylum, which, in a tragic turn, lost 28 children and three employees in a devastating fire in 1901.
But perhaps the most powerful stories lie in Corn Hill’s role in the abolitionist movement. Clarissa Street (formerly Caledonia Avenue) became a hub for African American life.
In the early 1800s, freed slaves settled here, and the Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, founded in 1830, became a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. The church also played a major role in the women’s suffrage movement.
The church remains a vibrant cornerstone of Rochester’s African American community. By the 20th century, Clarissa Street was known as “Rochester’s Broadway,” home to jazz clubs that hosted national talents like Pee Wee Ellis, Ron Carter, Chuck and Gap Mangione, Dexter Gordon, and Wes Montgomery.
Corn Hill’s Diversity: A Living Legacy
Today, Corn Hill thrives as one of the most diverse neighborhoods in America — a place where people from every background live side by side. It’s a neighborhood where the LGBTQ+ community, Black and white residents, and everyone in-between, not only co-exist but celebrate each other’s differences.
At the heart of Corn Hill is the Frederick Douglass Circle and Park, monuments to the man who published his abolitionist paper, The North Star, out of the Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. These sites serve as living reminders of Corn Hill’s legacy as a champion of freedom and equality.
The Influence of Claude Bragdon
Corn Hill is also home to striking architecture, including the Bevier Building, designed by the brilliant Claude Bragdon in 1908. Bragdon’s work, with its distinct brick patterns and ornamental tile, made him a master of early 20th-century design. His contributions to Corn Hill’s architectural landscape are unforgettable.
A Neighborhood of Legacy and Progress
Corn Hill’s history isn’t just one of the past — it’s alive, thriving, and ever-changing. With its Victorian homes, Underground Railroad connections, and contributions to the civil rights and jazz movements, this neighborhood is both a living museum and a testament to the power of community.
Walking through Corn Hill today, you feel the pulse of a place that’s been shaped by generations of resilience, cultural exchange, and progress. It’s a neighborhood where the stories of yesterday fuel the hopes of tomorrow.
Every corner of Corn Hill holds a piece of Rochester’s heart. Through my camera, I’ve had the honor of capturing its beauty, but it’s the spirit of Corn Hill that truly makes it one of Rochester’s greatest treasures.
Illustrations, from above: The historic Third Ward – Corn Hill – neighborhood of Rochester Plat map, 1875; and various scenes around Corn Hill by George Cassidy Payne.
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