Diane Ham with large informational sign installed at Rochester Junction. Photo provided by Diane Ham
A successful week of the long anticipated informational historical signage at Rochester Junction on Plains Road has been completed.
Bud Grindle and Diane Ham, assisted by Rod Ham, have designed and installed twelve 10” x 12” site signs as well as a large overall informational sign at the location where the Lehigh Valley Railroad mainline crossed the tracks going north to Rochester and south to Hemlock giving it the name–Rochester Junction–beginning in 1892. These signs highlight the fascinating history of Rochester Junction’s various buildings and sites that were located in the area. Users of the Lehigh Valley Trail can learn more about this Monroe County linear park which is maintained by Mendon Foundation volunteers.
During its lifetime, Rochester Junction served millions of passengers who changed trains here for many diverse destinations. The station was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday, 1973 after the end of passenger service, and only the
Bud Grindle and Diane Ham with informational sign at the site where a railroad accident occurred in 1964 at Rochester Junction. Photo provided by Diane Ham
cement platform remains. In addition, all the associated buildings at the Junction have been torn down except Terry’s Hotel and the Freight House replica.
Bud Grindle is Vice President of the Mendon Foundation Board of Directors and Diane Ham is Secretary as well as Mendon Town Historian and Honeoye Falls Village Historian. Rod Ham is also a Mendon Foundation Board of Directors member.
The Mendon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation headquartered in Mendon, New York. Established in 1993, it specializes in enriching the lives of our community through the stewardship of the precious green spaces in our community. The Lehigh Valley Trail was developed through a federal grant by the Mendon Foundation and maintains Monroe County’s 14-mile trail encompassing the old Lehigh Valley Railroad bed in the towns of Mendon and Rush. The Foundation also has approximately 160 acres in their land trust. This green space is preserved through the creation of nature reserves and plantings and is available for use by the public on the hiking trails. Donating to or volunteering with the Mendon Foundation are two popular ways to further the Foundation’s mission.
This is just one of several signs that now help tell the story of Rochester Junction. Photo provided by Diane Ham
