Wadsworth Square -
Historic Neighborhood on the Edge of Downtown
Every day people travel downtown, along Monroe Avenue, I-490 and the Inner Loop without knowing of the existence of the Wadsworth Square Neighborhood. This tiny, historic enclave is located at the edge of downtown. Today it is bounded by the Inner Loop, Monroe Avenue, South Union Street and I-490. At the turn of the 19th century, the Erie Canal flowed along the edge of the neighborhood where I-490 now runs. Howell Street, Marshall Street and Griffith Street were much longer residential streets, extending all the way to South Avenue. Wadsworth Square Park was a traditional New England style town green, surrounded by houses and anchored by a school on its north side. At the time of the opening of the western section of the Erie Canal in 1823, James Wadsworth of Geneseo owned the Wadsworth Tract. It consisted of 28 acres southeast of the village of Rochesterville. Indeed, as early land speculators, the Wadsworth family's holdings were so vast that the story arose that they could walk from their mansion in Geneseo to college at Yale University, 375 miles away in New Haven, Connecticut, without ever leaving their property. Broadway and Howell Street were built in 1827 and the square was laid out in the early 1830's.
The second half of the 19th century was a time of great construction activity in the neighborhood. About 75 percent of the structures that exist today were built before the turn of the century. There are a great variety of periods, styles and sizes. Houses in the immediate vicinity of the square are generally larger and grander in architectural detail. They were the residences of well off business and professional people. Houses closer to the canal were the homes of boatmen and tradesmen, and are smaller and more modest in character.
By the 1930's the Wadsworth Square Neighborhood was in a period of slow decline that lasted until the late 70's. Construction of the Inner Loop in the 1950's and the Clinton Avenue Bridge in 1969-1970 greatly damaged the character of the neighborhood. Highway construction demolished many structures and discouraged investment in the neighborhood. Many properties fell into neglect and Wadsworth Square Park was paved over to become a parking lot. The 1980's marked the beginning of a revival in the neighborhood. People again started to find value in the proximity of the neighborhood to downtown and in the history and charm of its architecture. Restoration and rehabilitation of the buildings started and still continues. Wadsworth Square Park was restored and is now a wonderful spot for viewing the 4th of July fireworks.
As is typical with traditional urban neighborhoods and buildings, they continue to renew themselves and adapt to new uses. Monroe Avenue buildings illustrate this very well. The building at 165 Monroe Avenue was lovingly restored in 1980 and has housed The Olive Tree restaurant for over 20 years. The Bug Jar is nationally known as a venue for alternative music. The upside down room over the dance floor is a fun feature. Other businesses in the neighborhood include the Krud Co. skateboard shop, Kinko's, Adventures in the Past Antiques, a dress shop, a Vietnamese gift shop, a realtor and a fire extinguisher shop. The newest businesses include the just opened Carmen's sandwich shop and the Atomic Eggplant, a new restaurant at the former City Grill, Sinclair's and Ratsos location on Marshall Street.
One of the most unusual businesses in the Wadsworth Sqare Neighborhood is the year old Abundance Co-Operative Market. Over 500 shareholders own this natural food and goods store on Marshall Street. This business, which is open to the public, has adapted a nearly century old automobile showroom into an attractive modern establishment. Visit them online at www.abundancecoop.com.
Another nearby asset is the popular School Without Walls (SWW), located at 480 Broadway between South Union and Alexander Streets. Renown for their learner-centered philosophy in which the needs and interests of students, as well as the demands of society, form the school curriculum, SWW expects students to become responsible for their own learning through portfolios, project presentations, and oral defenses. They encourage students to pursue independent study projects and to take classes at local colleges as well as allow for students to be involved in the management of the school. For younger students, the well regarded Children's School of Rochester (School No. 15) and Monroe Middle School are both a short walk from the Wadsworth Square neighborhood. The Children's School is one of the most diverse locales in the region, with half of its student population comprised of students who are learning English as a second language in an inclusive setting. Monroe Middle School is known for its International Studies Program, the Major Achievement Program (MAP) and Unite & Write, a student-operated business. Learn more about Rochester City Schools at www.rcsdk12.org/.
The Wadsworth Square neighborhood continues to change and evolve. The Wadsworth Square Neighbors, neighborhood association is active in the area. A professional "manager" has been hired to improve the everyday environment of Monroe Avenue and advocate for sensitive development. There are plans to expand the nearby Strong Museum and rebuild Manhattan Square Park. There are even studies underway to eliminate the Inner Loop. The future could bring an even more thriving neighborhood, reconnected to the urban fabric of downtown.
By Linda Magi
local artist and longtime Wadsworth Square resident.