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43°15′30″N77°36′31″W / 43.25833°N 77.60861°W /43.25833; -77.60861
Charlotte (/ʃɑːrˈlɒt/shar-LOT) is aneighborhood inRochester, in theU.S. state ofNew York, located along the western bank of the mouth of theGenesee River along the southern shore ofLake Ontario. It is the home of the Port of Rochester andCharlotte High School.
In 1788, theMill Yard Tract, a parcel of land approximately 12 miles (19 km) wide and 24 miles (39 km) long, along bank of the Genesee River stretching from present day locations of Charlotte at Lake Ontario through the City of Rochester was purchased from theSeneca Indians byOliver Phelps andNathaniel Gorham.[1][2] During this time, the area between the river and Braddock Bay was still used as hunting grounds by the Seneca Indians. The first hut on the shores of Lake Ontario on the west side of the Genesee River was constructed in 1791 by William Hincher and his son who settled the land the next season with his wife and seven daughters.[3][4] These early settlements preceded the later permanent settlements at the village of Rochester.[5] In 1792the Pulteney Association purchased rights to much of Phelps and Gorham's land in New York. ColonelRobert Troup, an agent of the Pulteney Association, arranged the first layout of the town, dividing the land into 1-acre (0.40 ha) lots. He named the area "Charlottesburgh" in honor of his daughter.[4][6][7]
The community once served as a port for international trade. Samuel Latta established a warehouse at the mouth of the Genesee River and in 1806 was appointed as customs collector of the Port of Genesee by PresidentThomas Jefferson.[1] Samuel Latta's brother, frontier merchant George Clinton Latta (1795–1871) ran a successful trading company from Charlotte, operating a fleet ofschooners engaging in trade across theGreat Lakes.
Trade was interrupted during theWar of 1812 and a less exposed port was briefly established three miles upstream at Carthage Landing.[8] During the course of the war, British forces were encountered at Charlotte on several occasions. In June 1813, the British fleet under SirJames Yeo landed at Charlotte and confiscated supplies of grain, flour, pork and other stores which the residents surrendered without further incident.[9] In September of that year, the British fleet was again spotted off shore, but was engaged and driven off by the American fleet of CommodoreIsaac Chauncey. Finally, in May 1814, the British attempted another landing, however, this time the citizens who had become aware of the British and Indian massacre atLewiston and the recent attack atOswego, dispatched the local militia to refuse landing. After a brief exchange of cannon fire, the fleet departed.[10][11][12] In 1816,Colonel Caleb Hopkins was commissioned as brigadier general for gallant service during the war, including defending the Port of Charlotte against the British.[citation needed]
After the end of the war, trade began to rapidly increase. Some early settlers believed that Charlotte would become the major city along the Genesee River, until the use of the water falls to provide power to the mills and the arrival of the Erie Canal in 1823 later resulted in the dominance of the settlements at the City of Rochester.[5]
In order to improve navigation, a stone light house was constructed in 1821 on the west bank,[1] replaced later in 1880 by an Octagonal light on the west pier.[8]
On August 25, 1852, ground was broken on theRochester and Lake Ontario Railroad (later part of theNew York Central Railroad[13]) which made its first run on May 12, 1853, in about thirty minutes. The railroad provided a convenient route for Canadian passages to reachNew York City.[1]
However, lake trade from Charlotte began to decline from increased competition from theErie Canal and the railroad lines in Rochester.[1][8]
After theCivil War, Charlotte rebounded as a summer resort with the arrival of several excursion steamers and with organization of the Genesee Yacht Club in 1874. TheOntario Car Ferry Company began operating aferry service for passengers and cargo from the port in November 1907 with the launch of the "Ontario I" later joined by the "Ontario II" as well as the "Toronto" and the "Kingston". These large ferries prompted a need to deepen the channel and make harbour improvements.[8]
In 1884, the Ontario Beach Improvement Company was formed to establish lake front resort area and by 1889 electric trolleys were connecting vacationers to the City of Rochester.[5]
Charlotte was annexed by the city of Rochester in 1916 in an effort by the city to gain control over the port and increase its population, thereby raising its political importance and funding.[5] The port's activity again declined during theGreat Depression. Ferry traffic eventual came to an end around 1949.[8]
Another attempt to establish ferry traffic between Rochester andToronto was made with the launch of afast ferry theSpirit of Ontario I which ran from 2004 to 2005. The fast ferry again spurred a round of investment in Charlotte and the port.[citation needed]
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