The history of Upper Mount Hope
Upper Mount Hope runs along Mount Hope Avenue between Elmwood Avenue on the north and the Erie Canal (the Barge Canal) on the south, with Genesee Valley Park to the west and Highland Park to the east. Before the twentieth century it was rural land in the Town of Brighton, and Mount Hope Avenue served as a road for farmers bringing produce downtown.
The avenue itself takes its name from Mount Hope Cemetery, dedicated in 1838 just north of today’s neighborhood, which turned the road into the main route between downtown and the cemetery.
The neighborhood’s modern shape came with the University of Rochester. Construction of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and Strong Memorial Hospital began on Crittenden Boulevard in 1923, the first medical students arrived in September 1925, and the hospital opened on January 4, 1926. The university’s River Campus, just across the river, opened in 1930.
Most of the houses on the side streets went up between the 1920s and the 1950s, as the university grew and car ownership spread.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1838 | Mount Hope Cemetery dedicated just north of the neighborhood |
| 1888 | City begins acquiring riverfront land for South Park, later Genesee Valley Park |
| 1923 | Construction begins on the medical school and Strong Memorial Hospital |
| 1926 | Strong Memorial Hospital opens on January 4 |
| 1930 | University of Rochester River Campus opens across the Genesee |
Did you know?
While Strong Memorial Hospital was being built, a temporary rail spur from the Lehigh Valley Railroad delivered materials, running alongside the trolley tracks on Crittenden Boulevard.
The homes in Upper Mount Hope today
Mostly single-family houses built between the 1920s and 1950s, many around 1,500 square feet. Expect gumwood trim, leaded glass windows and many attached garages. Newer apartment and mixed-use buildings sit closer to the medical center.
Landmarks and parks
- Genesee Valley Park - part of the city park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., on land the city began buying in 1888
- Highland Park - Olmsted-designed park on the east side, known for its lilac collection
- Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester Medical Center - opened in 1926 on Crittenden Boulevard
- Mount Hope Cemetery - dedicated in 1838 just north of Elmwood Avenue; Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony are buried there
- Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail - form the neighborhood’s southern edge
Buying a home in Upper Mount Hope
Fall for the house, then do the homework. These are the first things we check here, on top of the usual inspection:
- Ask about the attached garage: fire separation between garage and house, and the condition of the slab and door.
- For 1920s to 1950s houses, check for original knob-and-tube or early wiring, galvanized supply pipes, and the age of the roof and boiler or furnace.
- Near the medical center and university, confirm zoning and any rental registration or certificate of occupancy history if the house has been rented.
- 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 Upper Mount Hope
Buyers who search for Upper Mount Hope are often looking for exactly what makes it Upper Mount Hope: the homes, the history and places like Genesee Valley Park. 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 Upper Mount Hope home worth?
Upper Mount Hope FAQ
Where is Upper Mount Hope?
Upper Mount Hope is in the southeast 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 Upper Mount Hope?
Mostly single-family houses built between the 1920s and 1950s, many around 1,500 square feet. Expect gumwood trim, leaded glass windows and many attached garages. Newer apartment and mixed-use buildings sit closer to the medical center.
Is Upper Mount Hope 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 Upper Mount Hope?
Search current listings on our team site, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll set up a search for Upper Mount Hope and the neighborhoods around it.
Sources
- NY Daily Record, Neighborhood Focus: Mount Hope (2009)
- University of Rochester, History of the Campuses and Buildings: School of Medicine and Dentistry
- South Wedge Historic District nomination (Mount Hope Cemetery history), NPS
- Chili-West Historic District nomination (Genesee Valley Park / Olmsted history), NPS
- Celebrate City Living, Upper Mount Hope
- 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 Upper Mount Hope?
Buying or selling, tell us the street and we’ll tell you what we’d look at first.
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