The story of Rochester often starts with the Chapman family. William Chapman and his brother, Charles, grew up in Vermont. When the boys were just teens, the Chapman family moved from Vermont to Detroit. The two brothers joined lumber baron William C. Yawkey in forming the Western Knitting Mills in 1891. Five years later, the Chapmans decided to bring their company to Rochester. They built a new factory at Fourth and Water Streets. Both men then moved to Rochester and built homes that were, for their time and place, somewhat lavish. The homes still stand in Rochester, one being the high-end Chapman House eatery.
The Western Knitting Mills became a large and prosperous concern after the Chapman brothers moved the company to Rochester. By 1908, newspapers described it as the second-largest maker of yarns and mittens in the United States, and it provided employment for hundreds of people. The mill that the Chapmans built is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Now that's an interesting story to describe your specific neighborhood. When talking about why you decided to move to Rochester you can boast about the vibrant downtown and one of the best school districts in the state. Come visit us and you won't want to leave!
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