Curtis Point dedicated in honor of Ted Curtis

The confluence of the Erie Canal and Genesee River has a new geographic landmark that honors the man who helped Rochester appreciate the value of its scenic waterways.

Curtis Point, at the northeast corner of the confluence, has been so named and was dedicated in a ceremony on July 14 to honor Edward P. "Ted" Curtis, founder of the non-profit company that operates two educational tour boats, the Sam Patch and Mary Jemison.

Mr. Curtis founded Corn Hill Navigation (CHN) n 199l. He has a long history of public service in the community, including a stint as City Manager, and has long advocated for capitalizing on the scenic and historic value of Genesee River and Erie Canal to promote the Rochester-area economy.

Mayor Thomas S. Richards, who helped dedicate Curtis Point, noted that Mr. Curtis helped community leaders remember the importance of the river, when many seemed to have forgotten them.

"Ted didn't forget and he made sure we didn't forget either," Mayor Richards said. "He kept reminding us and reminding us and reminding us, and finally we got it." 

Mayor Richards and City Councilwoman Carolee Conklin, a member of the CHN Board of Directors, presented Mr. Curtis with a joint Mayor-Council Proclamation and the Mayor presented him with a Key to the City at the event.

Curtis Point was dedicated with a large boulder bearing a plaque depicting the Curtis Point name and contemplative bench donated by Friends of Ted Curtis and the Rochester Community Foundation. According to the plaque, the boulder is "a piece of the Lockport Dolomite that underlies Rochester, forms the High Falls, and through which workers blasted to build the Erie Canal.

In recent years, Rochester has spearheaded many developments along the Genesee River, which connects Rochester to the world beyond via the Erie Canal. These include Corn Hill Landing, Brooks Landing and the Erie Harbor arbor and Hamilton apartments. Further north, the City is building a marina at the Port of Rochester.

Other dignitaries to speak at the Dedication Ceremony included: County Executive Maggie Brooks; Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; Thomas J. Ryan, Chief of Staff, New York State Thruway Authority; Brian Stratton, Director, New York State Canal Corporation; Emma Marshall, rising member of the senior class, School of the Arts; and Daryl DuLong, Chair, Corn Hill Navigation.