Born from the chilly waters of Lake Ontario and the Genesee River, Rochester, New York, has been the cradle of the modern spiritualist an anti-Masonic movements and religious sects and communes. This unusual history has given rise to strange legends and shrouded the city in mystery. Was the corner of Main and Elm Streets--McCurdy's Department Store--cursed? Who was Captain William Morgan, and why did he suddenly disappear? What stories lie behind Rochester's first murder and the execution of William Lyman's killer? What is hoodoo, and who is the Hoodoo Doctor? Native American tales, the history of the infamous Fox sisters and the secrets of the Freemasons are woven into these and other legends of Rochester

Born from the chilly waters of Lake Ontario and the Genesee River, Rochester, New York, has been the cradle of the modern spiritualist an anti-Masonic movements and religious sects and communes. This unusual history has given rise to strange legends and shrouded the city in mystery. Was the corner of Main and Elm Streets McCurdy s Department Store cursed? Who was Captain William Morgan, and why did he suddenly disappear? What stories lie behind Rochester s first murder and the execution of William Lyman s killer? What is hoodoo, and who is the Hoodoo Doctor? Native American tales, the history of the infamous Fox sisters and the secrets of the Freemasons are woven into these and other legends of Rochester"

The western New York state Great Lakes region serves as a scenic setting for supernatural traditions, incidences, and folklore. Avenging specters, demon-tortured roads, holy miracles, weird psychic events, prehistoric power sites, ancient curses, Native American shamans, active battlefields, ghost ships, black dogs, haunted monuments, and the phantoms of Rochester’s famous—all are part of the legacy of Rochester and the lower Genesee. Supernatural historian Mason Winfield and the research team from Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc., take us on a spiritual safari through the Seneca homeland of the “Sweet River Valley” and the modern city in its place. After their survey of Rochester’s super natural history and tradition, “the Flour City” will never look the same. Includes photos!

Downtown Rochester is defined by Main Street, State Street, and the major crossroads of those streets. It is the core of one of New York State's most important cities. Rochester's Downtown recaptures the golden era when downtown bloomed as a mecca for daytime workers and shoppers and for an evening's entertainment at vibrant social centers. Rochester's Downtown celebrates the people of this great city as they progress from their early beginnings to create a dynamic business center. This excellent collection of images regenerates the excitement of riding the trolley, of watching a movie at the Palace or the Capitol, of window-shopping at the Duffy-Powers Store, and of tasting frosted malteds at Sibley's or warm doughnuts from the Mayflower Donut Shop or spoonfuls of roasted peanuts from Mr. Peanut Man. The narrative recalls Scrantom's as the place to buy books, Neisner's having the latest 78-rpm records, McCurdy's and Edward's with their special holiday displays, Eddie's Chop House for memorable dinners, and the Century Sweet Shop for after-theater sundaes.

From spooky state parks to real-life haunted houses, Ghosts and Hauntings of the Finger Lakes tells the stories behind the most supernatural sites around the shores of New York's famous Finger Lakes. Local paranormal investigator Patti Unvericht takes you on a journey to places such as the Elmira Civil War POW Camp, thought to be inhabited by the restless spirits of casualties of the war, to the State Theatre in Ithaca and even the tourist-friendly Geneva on the Lake, rumored to be haunted by past guests who have expired while staying at the historic hotel.

This illustrated account presents an interesting history of folklore as well as a retelling of famous American legends.

This book is a travel guide of sorts to New York's local legends and best kept secrets, filled with crazy characters, cursed roads, abandoned sites, and bizarre roadside attractions that the author feels reflect the shared modern folklore of our time.