Rochester High School - Rochord Yearbook (Rochester, MN)

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J c tV? The history of Rochester since 1854 has been marked not only by the industry of such illustrious men as James Bueklin, first judge; W. D. Lowry, Council Representative; Mayo fam¬ ily, father and sons, but by the unfailing efforts and sturdy courage of countless others, equally responsible for the glorious growth of this internationally famous city.

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HISTORICAL ROCHESTER I T WAS in the spring of 1854 that the settlement which marked the beginning of the city of Rochester was made when T. C. Cummings and Robert Mc- Ready staked out claims and built shanties near the Cascade Creek. In the following July, George and Jonathan Head, with their father, settled on the site of the pres¬ ent business district. EAST SIDE BROADWAY IN 1890 Before long this small settlement became a stage stop on a coach line running from Dubuque to Saint Paul, the nearest Post towns being Winona and Elliota. The town neigh¬ bors were few those first years, but succeeding springs saw an extensive immigration and a flourishing business district. A store, built by J. D. Jenkins, was sold to Hugh Mair, who supplied it with goods for the rapidly growing population. The stock consisted of “wet and dry groc¬ eries, Mair having the distinction of bringing the first intoxicating li¬ quor to town in the form of a cask of gin This was partaken of freely by the ‘boys, but “Old Mair” was shrewd enough to get payment be added that “Zumbro clogged stream. COOK’S HOTEL IN 1890 is derived from “Les Embarrass. the in the end. It was rum¬ ored that when his sup¬ ply ran low it was re¬ plenished by an addi¬ tion of water from the Zumbro. Naturally, the gin froze in winter and was chopped up and sold in chunks, these be¬ ing melted over fires to make a drink. It might French for a blocked, or The first hotel, built in 1854 by George Head, was a rather small, but comfortable dwelling made of logs. All the provisions had to be “imported” from Iowa, so they were very expensive. This hotel was sold in 1856 to Mr. Asa Leseur who tore the old log struc¬ ture down and replaced it with a neat and commodious building known as the “York State House. the family of James Smith, in 1 855. The first death was that of a Mr. Brown, in the fall of 1834. The first marriage was a rather crude affair. The widow of Mr. Brown “took another man ’ but, there being no one to perform the ceremony, they called in several neighbors to witness the agreement and McReady performed a service which was to hold good until an authorized minister should arrive. ODD FELLOW’S HALL IN 1890 J he first recorded birth in Rochester was in Page Nine