The history of EMMA
EMMA grew where two of Rochester’s big east side routes meet: East Main Street and the New York Central rail line. City historian Blake McKelvey wrote that Main Street was extended east across the railroad in the 1850s to meet Goodman Street and Schanck Road, and that by the late 1880s East Main had absorbed Schanck Road and reached Culver Road.
The neighborhood’s best known neighbor was the R.T. French Company. The French family bought a flour mill in Fairport in 1883, moved the business to Rochester after a fire, and in 1904 introduced French’s Cream Salad Mustard at the St. Louis World’s Fair. The company built Rochester factories in 1912 and 1922, and its offices sat on Mustard Street, which McKelvey described in 1965 as the entrance to the mustard factory.
French’s employed more than 1,000 people at its 1966 peak. Manufacturing left Rochester in 1972 and the headquarters followed about 15 years later. The former French’s building at 1 Mustard Street now holds offices.
At the neighborhood’s west end, the Hungerford Building at East Main and North Goodman is a sprawling industrial building that became known as a home for artists’ studios. Today EMMA is a small residential pocket surrounded by older industrial buildings, with the rail line still marking its southern side.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1880s | East Main Street absorbs Schanck Road and is extended east to Culver Road. |
| 1904 | R.T. French Company introduces its cream salad mustard at the St. Louis World’s Fair. |
| 1912 | French’s builds a Rochester factory, with offices on Mustard Street. |
| 1972 | French’s mustard manufacturing leaves Rochester. |
Did you know?
Mustard Street is named for the R.T. French Company; Rochester’s city historian wrote in 1965 that the street served as the entrance to the French’s mustard factory.
The homes in EMMA today
EMMA is a compact residential pocket of older houses tucked between East Main Street, the rail corridor and former industrial buildings. Detailed housing-era research for EMMA was thin, so plan on confirming each home’s build year and style from the City assessment record.
Landmarks and parks
- 1 Mustard Street - the former R.T. French Company headquarters, now offices; Mustard Street itself is named for the factory
- Hungerford Building (East Main and North Goodman) - a large former industrial building known for artists’ studios
- East Main Street and Culver Road corner - the gateway shared with Beechwood and North Winton Village
Buying a home in EMMA
Fall for the house, then do the homework. These are the first things we check here, on top of the usual inspection:
- Because the neighborhood sits beside a working rail corridor and former industrial sites, ask about train noise and check the State DEC environmental site database for nearby properties.
- Confirm zoning for the specific lot, since residential streets here abut commercial and industrial zoning along East Main and the rail line.
- For any pre-1978 house, ask for lead paint disclosures and City lead inspection history if it has been a rental.
- The full city, school and county tax bill for the exact parcel
- School assignment for the exact address, confirmed with the Rochester City School District
The bigger picture on city taxes, lead rules, two-family homes and the City’s homebuyer grant is in our City of Rochester guide.
Selling a home in EMMA
Buyers who search for EMMA are often looking for exactly what makes it EMMA: the homes, the history and places like 1 Mustard Street. We put that story in the marketing, price the home against true comparables, and launch it to draw a crowd. How we sell · What is my EMMA home worth?
EMMA FAQ
Where is EMMA?
EMMA is in the northeast part of the City of Rochester. Boundaries follow the City’s Celebrate City Living program and are approximate; confirm the municipality and parcel for any address.
What kinds of homes are in EMMA?
EMMA is a compact residential pocket of older houses tucked between East Main Street, the rail corridor and former industrial buildings. Detailed housing-era research for EMMA was thin, so plan on confirming each home’s build year and style from the City assessment record.
Is EMMA a historic district?
Not as a whole. Some individual buildings may be landmarks, so check the exact address with the City before you plan exterior changes.
How do I find homes for sale in EMMA?
Search current listings on our team site, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll set up a search for EMMA and the neighborhoods around it.
Sources
- Blake McKelvey, Names and Traditions of Some Rochester Streets, Rochester History (1965)
- Rochester Business Journal: 2005 Rochester Business Hall of Fame, R.T. French
- University of Rochester Rochester Local History Index (R.T. French Co. Mustard Street, 1912)
- City of Rochester, Celebrate City Living: EMMA
- Rochester Business Journal: Hungerford Building coverage
- Neighborhood names and boundaries: Celebrate City Living, a City of Rochester partnership
We describe neighborhoods by their history, homes and landmarks, never by who lives there. For school or safety questions, use the official sources so you can decide for yourself.
Thinking about EMMA?
Buying or selling, tell us the street and we’ll tell you what we’d look at first.
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