Rochester was America’s first ‘boom town’ this is because the population growth that occurred in such short time. This was the result of the industries that Rochester was able to produce. Rochester was once nicknamed ‘the young lion of the west’ it was even called the ‘flour city’. In 1838, Rochester was home to the largest flour producing factories in the nation. Doubling its population in just 10 years, the city was expanding very rapidly. During the 19th century, the wheat processing industry moved more west. Because of this, the city expanded its businesses and became home to many nurseries. Rochester is also home to where Susan B. Anthony lived. Susan B. Anthony was a women’s rights activist that eventually, after she passed away, was the reasoning the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution was passed. This amendment was to allow all women the chance to vote in political elections. The house in which she lived still resides in Rochester at this point as a historical landmark and is known as the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House.

Rochester is located sitting on the south shores of Lake Ontario. Because of Rochester being near the snow belt and only about 70 miles from Buffalo, the winters in Rochester can be harsh with large amounts of snow build up. The summers however are very warm. During the ice age, the area where Rochester is located was covered in ice sheets. This would be known now as the southern part of the city. As the ice sheets melted, sediment was being deposited at rapid speeds. This sediment build up is what ultimately created lines and rows of hills. These melted ice sheets are now what consists of Lake Ontario. They also created the Genesee River complete with waterfalls and gorges. Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, Braddock Bay, Mendon Ponds, the Ridge, and the nearby Finger Lakes were all formed due to the ice sheets that melted those hundreds and thousands of years ago.