The history of High Falls
High Falls takes its name from the roughly 96-foot waterfall on the Genesee River just north of downtown. In 1812 brothers Matthew and Francis Brown and partners bought about 200 acres on the high bank here and called the settlement Frankfort.
In 1816 the Browns dug Brown’s Race, a channel about 1,300 feet long and 30 feet wide that carried river water along the top of the bank to turn mill wheels. In 1817 Frankfort joined the 100-acre tract to the south to form the Village of Rochesterville.
Flour mills lined the race through the 1800s. By 1851 ten mills here could produce about 500,000 barrels of flour a year, part of the output that gave Rochester its early ’Flour City’ nickname.
The Platt Street Bridge opened across the gorge in 1891. After it closed to cars it was converted to a pedestrian bridge in the early 1980s and renamed Pont de Rennes after Rochester’s sister city in France. The race district was listed on the National Register in 1989, and many of its old industrial buildings now hold offices and loft apartments.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1812 | Matthew and Francis Brown buy 200 acres and found Frankfort |
| 1816 | Brown’s Race is dug to power mills |
| 1829 | Daredevil Sam Patch makes his final jump at High Falls on November 13 |
| 1891 | Platt Street Bridge, today’s Pont de Rennes, opens over the gorge |
| 1989 | Brown’s Race Historic District is listed on the National Register |
Did you know?
Sam Patch, the ’Yankee Leaper,’ survived a jump at High Falls on November 6, 1829, then died attempting a second jump there a week later.
The homes in High Falls today
Housing in High Falls is mainly apartments and lofts inside 19th and early 20th century brick mill and industrial buildings, some up to six stories. Single-family homes are rare here.
Historic designation
Brown’s Race Historic District, National Register of Historic Places (1989); Brown’s Race/High Falls City of Rochester preservation district; part of the Rochester High Falls New York State Heritage Area. What that means for an older Rochester home.
Landmarks and parks
- High Falls - the roughly 96-foot waterfall that powered Rochester’s first industry
- Brown’s Race - the 1816 millrace; its water is still used to make hydroelectric power
- Pont de Rennes - 1891 truss bridge, now a pedestrian walkway with views of the falls
- Brown’s Race Street - one of the city’s remaining cobblestone streets
Buying a home in High Falls
Fall for the house, then do the homework. These are the first things we check here, on top of the usual inspection:
- Ask how City preservation district rules affect exterior changes, signs and windows on your building
- Check FEMA flood maps and the building’s flood history given the river and race
- In converted mill buildings, confirm the residential Certificate of Occupancy and ask about any environmental reviews done during conversion
- 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 High Falls
Buyers who search for High Falls are often looking for exactly what makes it High Falls: the homes, the history and places like High Falls. 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 High Falls home worth?
High Falls FAQ
Where is High Falls?
High Falls is in the downtown 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 High Falls?
Housing in High Falls is mainly apartments and lofts inside 19th and early 20th century brick mill and industrial buildings, some up to six stories. Single-family homes are rare here.
Is High Falls a historic district?
Yes. Brown’s Race Historic District, National Register of Historic Places (1989); Brown’s Race/High Falls City of Rochester preservation district; part of the Rochester High Falls New York State Heritage Area.
How do I find homes for sale in High Falls?
Search current listings on our team site, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll set up a search for High Falls and the neighborhoods around it.
Sources
- National Park Service, Brown’s Race Historic District (NRIS 89000067)
- Lower Falls history site, Frankfort
- Lower Falls history site, The High Falls Area
- NY State Parks, Heritage Areas
- WXXI News, Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge
- 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 High Falls?
Buying or selling, tell us the street and we’ll tell you what we’d look at first.
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