Oddities

Rochester (like any city) has had its oddities: odd moments, places, and people. Here are just a few of them Current, Historic, In the News, and On the Web.

Also see (or contribute to) the Fun Facts, Strange News, Interesting Pages, Interesting Pages List, and Weird Local Pronunciations.

Current

• Abandoned Subway, one of the most incredible things our city has to offer.
  

• And other Abandoned Structures, there are advantages to an economy in decline.
  

• Allen Richardson, just couldn't stay away.
  

• Andy Pero, psionic warrior and former University of Rochester student.
  

• Animal Scramble, the follow-up to the horses
  

• Benches on Parade, another follow-up to the horses.
  

• Berlin Wall in Rochester, almost...
  

• Fast Ferry, hilarity.
  

• Highland Cemetery, creepy reminder of the old days.
  

• Horses on Parade, past civic-pride event.
  

• Illuminati Catacomb System, does not exist.
  

• Lady In White haunts Durand-Eastman Park.
  

• Rochester Paranormal, local group of psychic paranormal investigators led by Lord Archaeus.
  

• Rochester Protectives, one of the few surviving fire salvage companies in the U.S.
  

• Rochester Raging Grannies, promoting peace, justice, and social and economic equality through song and humor.
  

• Sewer Fiber Optic Network, excess fiber optic capacity for controlling remote stations could bring us free Wi-Fi.
  

• Spook Hill, alleged haunting with antigravity illusion.
  

• UR's Tunnel System, how to beat the cold when getting around.
  

Historic

• The Arson Years, the good times.
  

• Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Cafe, former unique sing-along bar.
  

• Claude Bragdon, our famous Theosophist architect with a spiritual medium for a second wife.
  

• Cooley Airship, massive airship constructed 1910-1911.
  

• Fox Sisters, how our city is linked to the birth of American spiritualism.
  

• Inventions, voting machines, gelatin desserts, pipe cleaners, guns, cars and more!
  

• Jim 'The Hammer' Shapiro, hero if there ever was one.
  

• Cobblestone Buildings, before the Civil War, settlers in the Rochester area used glacial and lake-washed cobblestones to build houses, schools, factories, stores and more, with an artistic flare. Many still exist today and provide a glimpse into an era long gone.
  

• John Murray Spear, God machine creator.
  

• Lord AMI, second hereditary Lord Of Shadow.
  

• Rattlesnake Pete, he came to our city with 25 snakes in tow.
  

• The Rochester Mirage, unexplained vision shared by thousands.
  

• Sam Patch, some things can be done as well as others.
  

• Wendy O. Williams, local girl made punk.
  

• William Morgan, we have no reason to fear the Masons.
  

In The News

• Strange News, Links to odd news stories in the Rochester area.
  

• Yellowing (aging) your digital photos - Rochester NY on TheOnion.com
  

• City Councilman Unearths Magical Zoning Amulet - Rochester NY on TheOnion.com
  

On the Web

• Odd Rochester Websites