Todd Residence, 85 Knollwood Drive, c. 1954

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In 1899 George W. and Libanus M. Todd opened G.W. Todd & Co., dealers of office specialties.  That same year Libanus began work on a device that would protect checks from forgery.  Its beginnings were in the shed of Charles G. Tiefel’s house on Gregory Street.  There, Tiefel and Libanus Todd developed the Protectograph, a device used to protect checks from fraud by shredding the fibers of the paper and allowing indelible ink to penetrate.  The Todd Protectograph became the world’s standard of protection for checks and documents; an advertisement from 1915 claims over 375,000 in use.  The company is first listed on East Avenue, eventually setting up headquarters on University Avenue in 1909.  In 1916 they become the Todd Protectograph Co., and then the Todd Company in 1925.

This is the home of George W.’s son, George L. Todd.  He started as a clerk with the Todd Company in 1925, and at the time of these photographs was Vice President and General Manager.  The Pittsford directories show that he moved in about 1950.  The house was built in 1930 and these photographs document what appears to be a rehab of an existing pool.  Currently the pool is enclosed and most likely does not retain the original structure.  From the Whiting Collection.  Reproduced from 4”x 5” negatives. 

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Rochester Canoe Club, Thistle Races, c.1954

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George Henry Harris (1843-1893) founder of the Rochester Canoe Club, is one of Rochester’s most interesting citizens.  His grandparents settled in Rochester in the early 1800’s.  As a boy his family resided near the bend of the Genesee river where the river campus of the University of Rochester is, and it was there that he developed a love for Native American life.  When he was a young boy he was instrumental in saving the lives of Indian children caught in river rapids in a canoe with no paddles.  One of the boys was Onoto, son of Tall Chief.  George’s father and Tall Chief established an exchange visit where the boys would stay with each other’s family’s.  George learned Iroquois and began a life devoted to the friendship and understanding of Native Americans.  George Henry Harris was a well-respected historian and lecturer and in 1889 was adopted into the Wolf Clan of the Seneca Indians and given the name “Ho-tar-shan-nyoh”, the Pathfinder.

Established in 1882, the Rochester Canoe Club is the oldest continuous sailing club in Rochester.  There are no longer canoes; by 1886 sailing became the direction of the club, but the name remains in honor of the history.  Thistle Racing was introduced in 1952, and by 1955 only Thistle boats were being raced.  That has since changed and current fleets of the RCC include Sunfish, JY-15, Thistle and Optimist.  From the Whiting Collection.  Reproduced from 4”x 5” negatives.

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Gannett Residence, 195 Sandringham Road, c.1953

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Residence of Frank E. and Caroline W. Gannett.  Publisher and founder of the Gannett Company, Inc., Frank Gannett began his publishing career in 1906 with the purchase of the Elmira Gazette and the Ithaca Journal.  In 1918 he moved to Rochester and formed the Times-Union.  Gannett was a leader of technological advancements in the newspaper industry.  He used shortwave radio for quicker reporting, color printing presses and invested in the teletypesetter; an apparatus used for remotely setting type by telegraph.  At the time of his death in 1957, Gannett owned 22 newspapers, 4 radio stations and 3 television stations.  A native to Rochester, Caroline Gannett was involved in numerous social and civic works.  Some of the organizations that she supported were Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rochester, Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Rochester chapter of the American Red Cross, and many others.  Her dedication to education and children led her to positions with Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, Syracuse University Youth Development Program, the 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth and numerous other organizations.  From the Whiting Collection.  Reproduced from 4”x 5” negatives.

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Tobin Residence, 756 Rock Beach Road, c.1957

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Residence of Frederick M. Tobin, president of the Tobin Packaging Company Inc.  Frederick M. Tobin successfully established several meat packaging plants in New York and Iowa.  In 1942 the merger of these plants formed the Tobin Packaging Company Inc.  Although not the creator of the White Hot, he improved the recipe and preparation.  At its height, the Tobin Packaging Company was considered the largest meat packing company in the North-East.  From the Whiting Collection.  Reproduced from 4”x 5” negatives.

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