Public Market History - Over a Century of Service

Well Over a Century of Service

The same colorful cornucopia of goods and people that dazzle visitors today also greeted the first market goers in 1827 when the Village of Rochester only had a few thousand residents and the municipal market was built partially over the Genesee River downtown. Later, this unique resource was replaced by the Centre Market, Rochester's first major monumental civic undertaking, built on the river's east side. Since 1905, the municipal Market has been at its current site, 280 North Union Street, less than a mile from downtown.

While the Market is firmly focused on the present and future, its illustrious history and iconic status today in the community also inspires historic preservation--because the historic elements of the Market are key to making it so memorable for regulars and first-timers alike!

For a comprehensive history of the Market, check out The Hands That Feed Us: 100 Years at the Rochester Public Market. Published to commemorate the Market's centennial in 2005, this beautiful book is on sale at the Market Token Center during regular Market days and hours (the white boxcar-like building right behind the Market Office, the two-story brick house).

See amazing Public Market historical photos at Rochester Images
(enter "Public Market" into the Search box)

Market Tours

You can take a live Market Tour to learn more about the Market's fascinating history! For tour information, contact the Friends of the Market at (585) 428-7292 or marketfriends@rochester.rr.com.

You can also take a self-guided smart-phone tour of the past and present of the Market, thanks to TourBlend! Click here for a redirect to the TourBlend Market Tour page.

City of Rochester Public Market Fountain 1905

The Fountain is Back: Original granite horse fountain once again anchors the Market

When the City of Rochester Public Market opened on its North Union Street site in 1905, it was one of only 125 prominent public places around the country to receive a limited edition, six-ton granite fountain. Designed primarily to serve horses--the primary transportation mode of that time--these fountains also made fresh water available to people and dogs. They were gifted by the National Humane Alliance as a practical expression of its animal welfare mission.

The Public Market's fountain was an important functional feature and an icon of the early Market. It can be seen in many early Market photographs. But by 1930, cars and trucks replaced horses as primary transportation- and the fountain was deemed an obsolete obstacle, and was hauled away in the early thirties. Its whereabouts are still unknown today.

In 2017, by a remarkable stroke of luck, Market staff discovered one of the original fountains sitting on private property not far from Rochester. The City was able to acquire this fountain, renovate and re-plumb it, and install it as a centerpiece of a beautiful new gathering courtyard between the Market Office house and indoor vendor Shed "B". On September 28, 2019, a festive fountain unveiling was held, and a City of Rochester Police horse took a big ceremonial slurp from it!