History of the Center
A clerk for the Rochester City Council reported on 19 March 1895 that the city had purchased
land on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Wilcox Street for use by the Rochester
Fire Department. That autumn, the city hired architect Frank A. Brockett to
design a new firehouse at this location; Dominick Kraft built the structure.
The Rochester City Directory first listed the fire company at Monroe Avenue
in 1896 as the Hook and Ladder Company No. 4. In 1898, it was listed as the
Truck Company No. 4.
After a number of disastrous fires in Rochester, including the Sibley fire of
1904 (considered the worst in Rochester's history), another firehouse was
needed on Monroe Avenue. In September 1904, the architectural firm of Foote and
Headley joined forces with a carpenter named W. F. Maas, and constructed another
firehouse adjacent to Truck Company No. 4. This firehouse is listed
in the 1905 Rochester Directory as Engine Company No. 15.
In 1953, the City Council's Public Safety Committee announced a
plan to abandon and tear down the firehouses on Monroe Avenue. But
unlike many aesthetically beautiful and historic buildings which did not survive
the city's attempts at urban renewal, the firehouses on
Monroe Avenue were never demolished.
The firehouses continued to serve the public safety until the early 1970's, when the entire building was
purchased
by Peter Hahn. In 1972, the 715 side was rented by McGovern headquarters and on May 20, 1972, the older 713
side
was rented by the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education (then known as Genesee Street Corporation since it
had
originally been located on Genesee St.)
At that time, Genesee Center offered an ecclectic variety of classes including photography and pottery through its program
called Communiversity. That year, Genesee Pottery was established in the old horse barn. Other organizations also rented space in
the building. Through an artist's generous and anonymous donation, the Genesee Center made the down payment to purchase the building
in 1974.
During the 1970's and 1980's the building was known as the "Genesee Co-op" and was one of the anchors of a vibrant but
struggling Monroe Avenue neighborhood. Communiversity continued expanding its classes and established Community Darkroom in
1977 in the old hay loft. The Genesee Center continued renting space not used by its programs to a variety of businesses and
organizations including a woman-owned print shop, credit union, bookbindery, natural foods store, a vegetarian restaurant, a
household goods store, among others.
In the mid-80's, Communiversity evolved into an arts focus and Genesee Pottery and Community Darkroom became the sole programs
of the Genesee Center, having added community access to their studio facilities and exhibition programs. The Center made its final
mortgage payment in 1985, and the firehouse became one of the few buildings on Monroe Ave that was owner-occupied. As some
businesses left the building, the arts programs began occupying more space as the community enthusiastically embraced their programs.
Since the beginning, youth were served through regular classes but in the 1990's, several site-specific Urban Youth Programs were
started. The Sunken Room Gallery was established in 1999 to showcase the work of area ceramic and photography artists. Today
Monroe Avenue retains its ecclectic ambiance but has re-established itself as a major corridor from downtown Rochester through
Brighton and Pittsford. Our ultimate goal is to dedicate our historic firehouse to arts and culture reflecting the diversity of our community.
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The original 1896 firehouse
Image courtesy Rochester Public Library, Local History Division
The Firehouse in the 1930s, with trolley tracks in front.
Men from Fire Company 15. Photo from 1928.
Image courtesy Rochester City Hall Photo Lab
The Firehouse in the 1960s.
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