White City

Even though the skies are still leaden and those pesky snowflakes keep reappearing, it is time to think sun, spring and summer after an unending dismal winter.  Irondequoit is blessed with three bodies of water that offer us an unending array of recreation in the "lazy, hazy days " of summer.  In the late 1800s and early 1900's the great White City tent colony dotted the shore of Lake Ontario and at least 11 resort hotels were strung along banks of Irondequoit Bay.

Many people however do not realize that the Genesee River was also a haven for vacationers.  Lois Ozarowsky recently donated several pictures to the historian's office in memory of her late mother, Clara Schmidt.  In 1912, her family spent summers on the river in the cottage shown here.  Their summer home was located in Summerville approximately at the site of the present Rochester Yacht Club.

Summerville at that time referred roughly to the community that developed at the northern end of St. Paul Boulevard.  Cottages lined the area where the trolley line curved down to the river.  At the end of the line, passengers could catch a ferry boat to Charlotte; take a steam launch from the river to the lake, then stop off at White City or continue on to Sea Breeze.

Not everyone enjoyed a summer home on the river.  Clara Schmidt's neighbors, the Butlers preferred living on a houseboat, not seen in the picture and sailing up and down the river or on balmy days venturing out into the lake.  The houseboat was anchored just past the Naval Station near the mouth of the river.  Mrs. Butler is shown with her daughter and son-in-law.  The young lady leaning nonchalantly against the boom was Pamela Priest, a young family friend who was staying with the Butlers.

Many boat owners now are visiting local marinas gazing longingly at vessels wrapped in the cocoons of winter protection, praying for an early and early spring and a summer as long as this winter has been.  There are few summer scenes as soothing and restful as the sight of white sails gliding along on lake breezes or boats returning safely to the river after a day of fun on the water.  These are some of the best of our Irondequoit Memories.