Cobbs Hill

Tucked up against the east side of Cobbs Hill in the southeast section of the city, this neighborhood is distinguished by gently sloping streets lined with historic street lamps, mature trees, and a picturesque variety of domestic architectural styles from the 1920s and 30s. The wide grassy mall dividing west Nunda Boulevard is the centerpiece of the neighborhood and leads to the entrance of Washington Grove, "a forest in the city." The wide grassy mall dividing west Nunda Boulevard is the centerpiece of the Cobbs Hill Neighborhood, and leads to the entrance of Washington Grove, "a forest in the city." In the grove, shady paths criss-cross this side of Cobbs Hill, forming one of the neighborhood's greatest assets, a largely undiscovered urban park.

In the 19th century, this area, then part of the town of Brighton, was a farm owned by the Beckwith family, whose residence (extensively altered) still stands at the corner of Castlebar and Winton roads. By the early 20th century, the growth of the city of Rochester had made formerly rural areas on the city's outskirts increasingly desirable for residential development. After the city annexed this section of Brighton in 1914, James and Andrew Gleason subdivided Nunda Boulevard, then Castlebar Road and Cobbs Hill Drive.

The Gleasons planned the landscape and houses for Nunda Boulevard in the early 1920s with the goal of attracting employees for Gleason Works. Distinguished Rochester landscape architect Alling DeForest designed the 50-foot wide mall at the center of the boulevard with trees lining each side. The revival-style houses that face this marvelous green space are primarily stucco or wood frame colonials, often with porches. A distinguishing detail on many of these houses is the original shutters, which have a variety of cutout patterns on them such as half moons or trees. Houses on corner lots are more elaborate red brick, intended for Gleason Works executive-level employees. Ironically, however, only one Gleason employee ended up purchasing on Nunda Boulevard because of strong competition for houses in this attractive neighborhood. Other streets in the neighborhood – Castlebar Road, Cobbs Hill Drive, and Beckwith Terrace – were developed in the mid- to late-1920s.

Houses throughout the Cobbs Hill neighborhood exhibit a wide variety of styles and house types, including simple American Foursquares with welcoming front porches, stucco or wood-sided colonials, Dutch colonials, and numerous Tudor Revivals with stucco and wood half-timbering, brick, or stone facades. Two distinguished Arts and Crafts style houses are located on Nunda Boulevard. The houses are complemented by many attractive gardens. A number of dedicated gardeners have nearly eliminated their front lawns to create perennial gardens.

In addition to Washington Grove, the neighborhood is convenient to recreation facilities on the west side of Cobbs Hill Park, including basketball, tennis, and baseball and a playground. Little League players and neighborhood football teams enjoy these facilities, and in the summer months hotdog and snack vendors appear nearby. Atop the hill, the reservoir is a popular place for running, bicycling and walking, and offers views of the city skyline to the northwest, excellent for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. The columned pavilion on the west side of this reservoir is a gathering place for musicians and performers. The Genesee Valley Harriers organize trail runs and other group running events up the hill and around the reservoir. In winter, cross-country skiers enjoy Cobbs Hill's paths and trails. Excellent sledding slopes are located on the north and west sides of the hill.

The Cobbs Hill Neighborhood is especially well suited for dog owners with its proximity to Washington Grove and the reservoir. Both neighborhood residents and numerous owners from the surrounding area enjoy exercising their dogs on the hill, creating an extended community of dog walkers who meet informally on a regular basis.

An Episcopal church (where the Rochester Swing Dance Society offers classes) and a synagogue are located in the neighborhood, as well as the First Unitarian Church, a famous modern building designed by architect Louis Kahn. The area's elementary school, School Number One, is located on the north side of Cobbs Hill, an easy walking distance from many streets in the neighborhood. The restaurants and shops of East Avenue, Monroe Avenue, Park Avenue, and Brighton's Twelve Corners are minutes away – within walking distance in nice weather – and downtown Rochester is just five minutes away on the Expressway.

The Cobbs Hill neighborhood has a diverse population with a mix of both long-time residents and new arrivals. New residents are made welcome through wonderful traditions, such as street-wide picnics, holiday cookie exchanges, and a Christmas Eve gathering at the foot of Washington Grove. Activities such as these, combined with so many opportunities for outdoor recreation and interaction and an attractive built environment, make the Cobbs Hill neighborhood an outstanding place to live.