[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1691-E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF ROCHESTER

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Town of Rochester 
in Ulster County, New York, which is part of the 22nd Congressional 
District that I proudly serve. This year marks the 300th Anniversary of 
the founding of Rochester on June 25, 1703. I am pleased to recognize 
the Town of Rochester and the important contributions it has made to 
Ulster County and to the State of New York.
  The Town of Rochester is located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and is 
bordered on the east by the Shawangunk Mountains, and on the west by 
the Catskill Mountains. It also includes part of the rich land of the 
Rondout Valley, and consists of approximately 48,000 acres.
  Prior to European settlement, the Rondout Valley was inhabited by the 
Lenni-Lenape, or Esopus Indians. After the defeat of the Esopus 
Indians, Captain Martin Cregier led a group from the original Dutch 
settlement of Wildwyck, on the Hudson River, to what is now Rochester. 
This group first explored Rochester in 1663, and it was originally 
called the Town of Mumbakkus. Captain Joachim Schoonmaker led the first 
group of settlers to Rochester in 1685 from Kingston, NY. A small 
number of land grants were given out in Rochester by the Kingston 
trustees, which made up the closest governing body to Rochester at the 
time. By the time Rochester officially received its patent in 1703, 
there was already a solid contingent of 334 residents in the town.
  Through the eighteenth century, Rochester was mainly a commercial 
agrarian community. The fertile soil of the Rondout Valley provided 
ample opportunity for the successful farming industry that Rochester 
was known for. In order to support the agricultural advances of the 
region, paper, grist, saw, and other mills were built along the major 
streams in the Town. Rochester was linked to Kingston and the Hudson 
River port by what was known as King's Highway. The original historic 
stone houses of Rochester, many of which remain standing today, were 
built during this period.
  Agriculture remained the dominant economic force in Rochester 
throughout the nineteenth century as well, with the establishment of 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal. With the introduction of the Ontario and 
Western Railroad at the start of the twentieth century, Rochester's 
economic focus turned to tourism. Resorts, summer homes, and 
guesthouses were built, which provided Rochester's many New York City 
visitors with relief from the confinement of city life. Tourism 
contributed greatly to Rochester's economy during the first half of the 
twentieth century, and brought new prosperity to the region.
  Evidence of Rochester's colonial history remains today, as the Town 
has one of the highest concentrations of inhabited 18th century homes 
in the nation. Rochester and the Hudson Valley continue to provide 
breathtaking scenery and views of the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains 
to all their visitors. Small towns like Rochester are an essential 
component of our nation's past, present, and future, and deserve to be 
honored and recognized for their numerous contributions to our states 
and country. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the 
Town of Rochester, New York as it celebrates the 300th Anniversary of 
its founding.

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