I am an old man now, 82, living in Phoenix. However, in my mid 20's I was a young High School Biology teacher in the Rush-Henrietta school district. I remember this storm well. Area schools and the U of R were closed for a week. There was a walking trail up the middle of Genesee Park Blvd where I lived, but no cars for several days.
You are the silver lining to that mass of clouds. I remember that storm very well. Neighbors took in complete strangers who could go no further. The very definition of neighbor.
Brought back memories of putting plastic bags on our feet then into the old black buckle boots, two pairs of mittens, scarf, hat then hood... all to go outside. Went to our grandmother's house on Avery street to shovel her out. The walk to school on the top of the show piled along the side of the road (not too smart looking back).
I was 9 years old, we lived in Chili at the time. The snow drift was up to the roof behind our house, and nearly covered the entire garage door. I remember walking the neighborhood after the storm and could not see over the plow drifts on the side of the road. An then in typical Rochacha manner we all shrugged, dug out and went about our lives…
I was 7, and we lived on Long Pond Rd in Greece, about a half mile south of Ridge Rd. We got walloped - I remember my dad shoveling snow off our fairly flat back porch roof as he was concerned about the weight. Thanks for posting this! I wished we had movies of it like you do.
I remember it well. I was in 8th grade, living in East Irondequoit We lost an entire week of school as I recall. My bother and I helped my father shovel the driveway so he could go to work. Dan Habes Cincinnati, Ohio
@@FlynBrian Yes - I checked out the street in your video. My mother still lives in the house located on a side street near where 104 crosses Culver Road.
I was in the 8th grade, too, and we lived on NY 237 about 3 miles south of Clarendon. We had a barn that had a rear sliding door about 15 ft. from the ground, and the snow banked up six or seven ft away, and six or seven ft deep. With a running start you could land in the snow. Not knees first, though. I got stuck. Took me a while to get unstuck. Supposedly there was a snowbank north of Holley that measured 32 ft. I know it took several days for the big state Rome plows to get through, but we always had tall snowbanks flanking the road. After the first four or five snows I'd have to pick up our mail at the Holley PO until Spring. Allow me to reminisce... My best friend lived a mile north at the corner of Glidden Rd. and we had another bud on Upper Holley Rd. Another bud was on Bennett's Corners at 31A. We were sort of the "smart" "Wild Ones" types with Denim jackets and a garage band. "King", "Duke", "Rock", "Chip", "Piggie", "Karpy", "Jimbo", and then "Sherry Champagne", "Dollar Rhonda" (last name was Kingdollar, IIRC; demure and brilliant), "Linda Let's Go" (IIRC, Lesco), and a couple others. (by "smart" I mean Math club, debate club, Latin club, theater club, Band, Chorus, A/V club, etc. We had a garage band, we read voraciously, and most of us obtained at least a Bachelor's). Glidden Rd. was a dirt road, with a steep hill about halfway between the paved roads. At the top was a junk car graveyard off in the weeds. We'd take a car hood, tie a rope to each side, and ski down the hill. Standing up. No steering. Imagine our disasters. Hauling it back up was comical as well. We'd do the same with sleds, except we'd triple stack and hope the guy on the bottom would steer. After a couple of our crew got cars, we'd pile 5 or 6 at a time and careen down 237, usually ending up in a snowbank. If we couldn't get it out, well, my father had a Farmall 340. We'd have some brutal snowball fights, too. Two teams, each building a snow wall about 25 feet apart, and about 4 feet high. The object was to knock down the wall with snowballs, then get your opponents "out", like in dodgeball. We'd have wintertime bonfires, too, Good times. Richmond VA '72-75; Atlanta '75-'79; Houston '79-'89; Atlanta ever since. And, truthfully, at 68 and in a wheelchair, no kin here, I'm tired of the heat and the !!!TRAFFIC!!!
Thank you very much for sharing this! I was born in Rochester, and we moved to Florida when I was a little girl. This famous Blizzard hit not long after we moved and I still have a picture my Grandma sent us of her house on Chili Avenue with snow almost up to the roof. My grandparents, aunts and uncles have all since passed away, and I have many dear cousins still in the Rochester area, and we have been reminiscing on Facebook and I have been searching for anything I can find about Rochester. Thank you for the memories - I have liked and Subscribed and my whole family will be checking your channel often.
I too was a Rochestarian male of just 11 years old. Wow. We lived in Gates. That was a child's fairy tale land back then. If I recall correctly, we had the whole week of school off and that was hard to pass up. Good thing! The snow was so high you could barely push the screen door open. Forget trying to walk to the bus stop. But the whole thing was just a great childhood blast. It just seems like the snows were deeper, the winters colder and the adventures simpler and better back then. For me, the 60s are full of great memories for a kid of that era. This is just one if them.
Thank you! I lived on Arinton Drive. I was a baby during this storm just less than one year old. We moved when I was four...... my dad is enjoying this memory. (we lived across the street from Tina & Sam/ Don & Mary) thank you again.
During this blizzard, we lived 2 miles East on Boughton Hill Road in Honeoye Falls, NY, 15 miles south of Rochester, NY! We were SNOWED IN for 3 Days, with the snow drifts over 6 feet ABOVE the house, covering all doors & windows! The only thing showing was the exhaust pipe for our gas heat furnace… Thankfully… We survived well! This does brings back some wonderful memories of living/visiting in wonderful Upstate/Western NY for 10 years! (From Jamestown to Niagara Falls, east to Rochester & Mexico, over to Cranberry Lake, down to North Syracuse west to Waterloo & ALL the Finger Lakes region, then over to Leicester & Arcade!) Many great friends & good neighbors (sadly, almost ALL are deceased now)! Thanks for posting! Montague On The Hill, TEXAS
I was born at Highland Hospital on 1/30/1966. Thank you for posting the video! My parents always told me I was born during One of the worst storms in our history. This certainly proves it.
Wow, I remember that storm. I was a student at the old RIT and lived on Milbank St in the city. A snow drift blocked the door from opening and the city was at a standstill.
I was 12 then, but my family had just gone to California for 6 months, so we missed it. This is the first time I've seen a movie of it, thanks for posting!
I was in grade school in a suburb of Chicago. My brothers and I went sledding off the roof of the garage. The snow drifted over the doors of the house. Have never seen snow like this since. Thanks for the upload and memories!
I was 7 years old and lived in Fairport near the canal, my Dad and a neighbor did the same thing. Got the kids sleds and and made food runs to the store for us and other neighbors. Thanks for the memories.
This was so cool to see in video. My parents and grandparents reference this storm anytime it snows here. Rochester winter warriors haha. Thank you for sharing! ✨
Thanks so much for sharing this video ~ I was 10 years old in Brighton and remember this well ! Especially the snow that was piled up to the second storey window ! And yes, dad and the neighbor men set out on foot with sleds and toboggans to grab supplies and food.
I’m glad your dad took these movies too! One of my happiest memories. The snow was up to the roof of our house and buried the door. We dug out and Dad pulled us on the toboggan up Long Pond road to Buckmans Dairy in Greece to get groceries.
I remember those years, snow drifts of five feet and we didn't know what a snowblower was then or if they even existed. I was 11 yrs. old and made plenty of money shoveling, spring time came and with that a new baseball glove or bat or fishing gear. Amazing how much energy we had then. Today you don't see any youngsters walking door to door with shovels. They rather sit at home and play video games. But I do have a snowblower now except it doesn't snow here as much anymore. Great memorabilia you produced. Thank You.
Great video! I grew up in Kendall, NY. I was 15 at the time of the Blizzard of 66. We didn’t have school for a week. The snow on some roads were as high as the telephone poles. A lot of open fields with the wind whipping up huge drifts. You mentioned about snowmobiles. Well some people had some and they were used to get food to people. On some roads they had to use dynamite to clear the roads. What a Blizzard!
Same here in Hamlin , drifts were high as the second story of the house, over the top of chicken coops, when we finally went to school, snow was piled up as high as the bus windows! Great time to be a kid!
Wow! I was 10 years old and living in Rochester: Lake Road and Lakeview Park area. My school. #7, was closed Monday through Thursday. When you are a kid, these blizzards are tremendous fun! On Friday 3 or 4 of us showed up and we did art all day. I am amazed you have this footage. Thanks for sharing!
I was about 18 then. My wife and I don't recall this storm in Connecticut, but I'm sure we weren't entirely spared. My parents lived in Booneville very close to the Adirondacks just north of Utica NY from 1970 - 85 so I know full well what that area can produce just from regular storms. It wasn't just the storms either. They dealt with lake effect snow and snow blowing from the pastures, both refilling the long driveway pretty much on a daily basis. Thanks for posting the video. It brought back pleasant memories.
Ha! I know Boonville. About 10 yrs back our car broke down on a dirt road near Raquette Lake. We had to get towed to Boonesville where we spent the night in a hotel with partying lumberjacks who were in town for their annual contest. That was in the fall, but tomorrow we are off to Inlet, NY for a few days in the snow, cold and roaring fireplaces. Love it!
@@Chiamex I don't know the present name but I think the hotel you stayed at is on route 12. Woodsmen's Field Days was the event name. Don't go up there much anymore except for the occasional cemetery visit. I've been to Inlet. Wish I could be there now. Love the whole area.
I remember this very well. I lived in West Irondequoit and people were using their ski's to go to Star Market in Irondequoit Plaza which was actually at the end of my street and thru the gate to the back end of Sibleys.
I was 4, and not sure I remember this storm, or if I kind of blend it with others from my youth. I am short, so any snow over 18" was a lot of snow. Dad was a lineman for RG&E, I imagine the moment he could get to his truck, he was out helping folks. Thanks for the video, wish I'd asked my family about it more.
This was awesome, brings back many wonderful memories from my childhood on Long Island, NY where we usually had 2-3 blizzards a year back then. As a kid it was great, schools were closed, sometimes for a few days, but as we became adults and had to travel in it, wasn't so fun anymore!! Thanks for sharing!!
I was 12 and lived in Oswego. None of us kids remember shoveling to the outhouse!! My father was snowed in the city for 3 days and they brought him home on a snowmobile with some groceries. I think it makes us a lot stronger to the ones in this day and age!
Great story and videos of the storm in 66. I’ll just get right to it. My name is Donald Meisenzahl. I own Meisenzahl Lawn and Landscape. I haven’t missed a snowflake since 1986. We had three blizzards in the Rochester area from 1999-2014. With the pay loader, other front end loaders, and four plow trucks. Nope... couldn’t capitalize on the storms I worked in. We waited for the winds subside. With what you shared on that horrific storm in 66, makes the latest blizzards I’ve worked in was child’s play. Meisenzahl Dairy broke out the horses pulling wagons of milk at ever intersection in Henrietta who was ever was in need. The plow trucks broke down due to clutch failure. Now thats a storm. With my research, 66 was the worst. Thank you for your video.
I remember this! I was 5 years old put on my snowsuit in an attempt to see the Town plow roaring down the road. Without my parents knowledge I stood in the shoulder of the road just as the plow throwing snow so high was barreling down approaching my house. Out of nowhere my father appeared, picked me up and ran. He said...You want to die!!? That plow would've buried you way over your head and if I didn't see you, you wouldn't be able to dig your way out! Then more harsh warnings and lecture. In the house I stayed. I remember afterward feeling stupid I did that. Just wanted to see the plow throw all that snow....
We used an army halftrack loaded with ballest to push through the snow. A truck was behind the halftrack also pushing. The snowbanks were over 15 feet high and I had to walk over them to deliver papers.
notice the passenger in the snow plow at 5:15. I've done that as a plow truck operator. The passengers job is to constantly communicate to the driver about wing plow obstacles and tell the driver what to do as far as the wing plow is concerned. Its fast moving fun.
@@FlynBrian my snowplow supervisor and I have blackmail stories on each other. We agreed to take those stories to our graves. I'll just say that snowplow operators have bad days like everyone else.
I was three years old in '66 Where I was born there was no snow. It wasn't until my 11th year that I saw the white stuff ❄️🌨️ come down from the sky. I was transfixed, mesmerized and overjoyed! So awesome that your family preserved this 8 mm film. Thank you for uploading. It makes me nostalgic.
Thank you for showing this film I lived Rochester 1982 til the June 2012. I do remember those many snow days. We now live in Dallas,TX But I still call Rochester my hometown.
Can never forget this storm. I was a senior getting ready to go to Oswego St. They had something like 103 inches during the storm with snow drifts up to roof tops. At orientation at Oswego they showed dorms where you could not see the 1st floor; the snow, not drifts, was up to the 2nd story! On St Rt 89 in front of my girl friends house about a mile out of Seneca Falls there was a snow drift that the State cut a snow tunnel thru so cars could get up and down the highway. I think Seneca Falls "only" get about 43" but the wind blown drifts were incredible!
Thanks for the great memory of this classic snow storm. I lived in West Irondequoit near Lake Ontario and Lakeshore Blvd and I was 17 yrs old at the time. I remember wearing my dad's hip boots, because the snow was so deep, and walking in the middle of unplowed streets to visit my friends. It was nice to have off from school for a week. I don't remember any neighbors owning snow blowers nor having their driveways plowed. We only had shovels back then. My husband remembers earth movers clearing his street which was on a steep hill in Charlotte. And having to take the windows out of the side door of his house in order to get outside. The snow was so deep that you couldn't open the door out into it. I'm sure we did a ton of sledding and tobogganing in Durand Eastman Park on "suicide hill" after the storm stopped. Haven't had a storm like that ever since.
@@umpman04 No, that hill you mentioned is in Ellison Park on North Landing Rd. in Brighton. Durand Eastman Park is on Lakeshore Blvd. in Irondequoit along Lake Ontario.
I was 22 and lived in a mobile home in Rochester during this storm. I had not gone for groceries Saturday (storm hit Sunday night) and could not grocery shop Sunday because of "blue laws". So I thought I would shop Monday after work. Ha! Forecasting was not what it is today and we had no idea a blizzard was coming. We existed 4 days, until the National Guard dug us out, on 1 gallon of milk, bread and a box of Bisquick. We would let our small dog outside by putting his snowsuit on, then a harness and lowering him on a rope from a 2nd story window. Then when he had done his business, we would pull him back up into the window. We did not lose power, nor heat. Since we did not have children, it was a fun adventure for us.
Fly'n Brian ,I used to cut grass now retired,the grass I cut was around that corner Vinedale as my mother used to live on Walzer rd. When she was a little girl.
Man! Did this ever bring back my memories of this landmark event. I experienced it with my parents and brother in Newark, about 25 miles to the east -- but conditions there were exactly as depicted in Irondequoit. Thanks so much for sharing!
I was born on February 2 of that year; my dad always told me that the ambulance couldn’t get down the street to get Mom to the hospital to birth me...this is the first time I’ve ever seen footage of the blizzard. Thanks for sharing!
I remember this well, I was 11 years old. The snow drifts went as high as the 2nd story of our house. We slid down on our sleds and built a cave inside it. My dad worded nights at the D&C as a printer downtown, he was unable to get home for about 5 days. We lived in the town of Greece at the corner of Ridgewood Rd. & Ridge Rd. W. We were able to walk to the Wegmans at Ridgemont Plaza, walk to Buckman’s Dairy and donut shop. All the kids in the neighborhood were outside from morning till night. Now I winter in Florida!!
I was 10 in the Town Of Ontario and remember this storm well. When my road was opened with a V- plow and a regular plow behind it. I was off from school 5 days. My neighbor up the road had a Ski doo and made trips to the store for us. I'm living in Florida now so I'm dodging hurricanes now instead of snowstorms. Thanks for sharing those 8mm films.
I was seven years old in '66. We lived in Penfield. I worked for the Town of Penfield Highway Dept. for thirty years. 1985-2015. I worked many storms through those years but nothing like '66. I bought a house in Ontario in '93. Greetings from Knickerbocker Rd.
I was 14 in 1966 and we lived in Brighton. We had just moved down to Virginia that year before the storm hit. And when we got to Virginia, when there was maybe at most an inch of snow, my friends thought it was a major snow storm!
I was 12 at the time and lived by the lake off of Beach Ave and because of the wind off of the lake , the snow drifts on Beach Ave were almost to the top of the telephone poles by Abbotts Custard. At the time, there was a Star Market at the corner of Lake Ave and Latta Rd and we dragged my sled to get supplies there.
Yup! 182 Ellinwood Dr! I believe all the homes that appear in the video are still there. Our house was at the corner of Pin Oak Ln and Airinton Dr. We moved there in 1962. The neighborhood was built out in the early 1960's, so the homes were nearly new when this storm struck! Thanks for commenting and for watching!
We lived out of the Village in the Country and yes, plows could not get through. My Dad worked at Jackson & Perkins in charge of propagation. Had to take care of those plants. Walked through the 3 or 4 ft. of snow. Next time I saw him was the 1st time I've seen him with a growth of whiskers..
I was 11 years old and living in Virginia. I had a newspaper route and I remember trying to deliver newspapers with snow up to my waste. Never forget that! Lol
I was a teenager at Eastridge. I remember it well and one of the neighbors did a milk run up to Deryke dairy on their snow mobile. It was an adventure!
i was born late january 28th 66 basicly the 29th my mom was in a hospital in the bronx. ( i can no longer remember its name and they are both gone so i can't have them remind me like i used to..).. I would grow up hearing about the struggle my dad had making it to the hospital in the storm, he said he couldn't see because of the white out, he said he would never forget finding himself walking on top of cars..I have seen a few big snow storms growing up and today we have some harsh winters but they are nothing compared to what they were back in the day ,or back the day i was born....
@@FlynBrian 54 yr's ago today..hard to believe, it was like a different world . my memories become cohesive around 1970 but i have a few flashes from 68-69( little things like popeye and the little rascals nixon running for pres and my mom and dad talking about him.) any way birthday is over now thanks for the memories.
Great video!! I remember that storm well. I was 12 years old. School was closed for a week and my neighbor buddy and I had a Blast!!!! That was definitely the worst storm in this area that I can remember.
I was living in Rochester at that time and I remember that blizzard. Then in 1977, I was in downtown Buffalo right by the lake and watched that blizzard hit the city then drove 25 miles to my home in Alden. I started thinking maybe it was time for a warmer climate!
Yes....thanks Brian for posting the vid....and thanks to your Dad too :) I was 10....we lived outside of Rochester in the town of Hilton on right off of 259 and Ridge Rd West. A solid 4 feet in the middle of the country road. Dad could not walk thru the snow to get cigarettes from the corner store (Whalen's). My buddy and I made about 10 bucks cashola a driveway. Not all driveways were "easy". They were not just snow...one had about 12 inches off icy packed snow at the bottom. We had to give up on that driveway....the shovel could not slice into it :) Ken Now I'm in AZ....no snow ....no shovels.
I remember that. My dad's car was completely covered you could not see it. The local grocery store ran out of food. I think we were snowed in for three days. We lived in bloomfield
I remember that storm very well. Lived in Medina at the time and had to work at Sylvania in Batavia that Saturday. After work I picked up my date and drove back to Medina. After dinner and a movie, we came outside the theater and couldn't see across the street. I managed to drive her home from Medina through Albion then to Batavia. I was the only car (1959 Rambler) on the roads. When I got back home in medina, we couldn't get out until the following Wednesday. The 1966 storm was worse than the 1977 storm for me.
Grew up at 23 Pin Oak almost directly across the street! I was less than 18 months old in Jan '66, but there were plenty of storms to follow that I did remember. I have lived in Northern New England for the past 20 years and there has never been a Nor'easter to match Western New York Lake Effect!
Hi Rob! I remember you dad had an extensive model railroad set in the basement and a variety of railroad items in the house. I posted a video of a x-mas party that your mom and dad were in. facebook.com/bpsmith1/videos/vb.1110151808/10214891888026625/?type=3 Thanks for watching!!
Ah Brian those storms of the early to mid 60's were great.Most were at least a foot most 16" and over. We would at least 8-14 of these every winter back then.
I actually loved those big storm winter as a kid , it was a winter’s wonderland for us . We hunkard down like a family. And made it through.
I am an old man now, 82, living in Phoenix. However, in my mid 20's I was a young High School Biology teacher in the Rush-Henrietta school district. I remember this storm well. Area schools and the U of R were closed for a week. There was a walking trail up the middle of Genesee Park Blvd where I lived, but no cars for several days.
3 years later I am watching this again. I noticed you did Irondequoit streets. I knew a girl that lived on Elinwood. Right now I live down off Titus.
I am alive due to this storm. My parents were stuck inside for days with nothing else to do...and I appeared on Oct. 20, 1966. LOL!
Fantastic! I love this story!
Atheria Physcodelic gal.....hahaha,that's awesome!
You are the silver lining to that mass of clouds. I remember that storm very well. Neighbors took in complete strangers who could go no further. The very definition of neighbor.
I was born in Rochester '76 but only remember blizzards in Denver 2006-2010.
LOL That's pretty cool!
"Yay for dad!" He recorded the storm for all of us to see. Thanks, dad👍
You bet and thanks for watching!
Brought back memories of putting plastic bags on our feet then into the old black buckle boots, two pairs of mittens, scarf, hat then hood... all to go outside. Went to our grandmother's house on Avery street to shovel her out. The walk to school on the top of the show piled along the side of the road (not too smart looking back).
Thanks for the comment, for sharing the great memories and thanks for watching!
And get lots of snow in those black buckle boots !
I was 9 years old, we lived in Chili at the time. The snow drift was up to the roof behind our house, and nearly covered the entire garage door. I remember walking the neighborhood after the storm and could not see over the plow drifts on the side of the road. An then in typical Rochacha manner we all shrugged, dug out and went about our lives…
I was 7, and we lived on Long Pond Rd in Greece, about a half mile south of Ridge Rd. We got walloped - I remember my dad shoveling snow off our fairly flat back porch roof as he was concerned about the weight. Thanks for posting this! I wished we had movies of it like you do.
Over time these old films become invaluable! Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
GREAT MEMORY I LIVED 215 FETZER REMBER BELLS ON RIDGE???
Very nice! Remember the storm as a kid and it was an adventure!
Thanks for watching!
@@FlynBrian this was the year I learned how warm it was inside snow. My brothers and I dug tunnels after jumping off the roof into the mounds of snow.
I remember it well. I was in 8th grade, living in East Irondequoit We lost an entire week of school as I recall. My bother and I helped my father shovel the driveway so he could go to work. Dan Habes Cincinnati, Ohio
That's where this was. Right by the Whipple Lane Elementary School. (Now the Ivan Greene School.) Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
@@FlynBrian Yes - I checked out the street in your video. My mother still lives in the house located on a side street near where 104 crosses Culver Road.
I was in the 8th grade, too, and we lived on NY 237 about 3 miles south of Clarendon. We had a barn that had a rear sliding door about 15 ft. from the ground, and the snow banked up six or seven ft away, and six or seven ft deep. With a running start you could land in the snow. Not knees first, though. I got stuck. Took me a while to get unstuck.
Supposedly there was a snowbank north of Holley that measured 32 ft. I know it took several days for the big state Rome plows to get through, but we always had tall snowbanks flanking the road. After the first four or five snows I'd have to pick up our mail at the Holley PO until Spring.
Allow me to reminisce... My best friend lived a mile north at the corner of Glidden Rd. and we had another bud on Upper Holley Rd. Another bud was on Bennett's Corners at 31A. We were sort of the "smart" "Wild Ones" types with Denim jackets and a garage band. "King", "Duke", "Rock", "Chip", "Piggie", "Karpy", "Jimbo", and then "Sherry Champagne", "Dollar Rhonda" (last name was Kingdollar, IIRC; demure and brilliant), "Linda Let's Go" (IIRC, Lesco), and a couple others. (by "smart" I mean Math club, debate club, Latin club, theater club, Band, Chorus, A/V club, etc. We had a garage band, we read voraciously, and most of us obtained at least a Bachelor's).
Glidden Rd. was a dirt road, with a steep hill about halfway between the paved roads. At the top was a junk car graveyard off in the weeds. We'd take a car hood, tie a rope to each side, and ski down the hill. Standing up. No steering. Imagine our disasters. Hauling it back up was comical as well. We'd do the same with sleds, except we'd triple stack and hope the guy on the bottom would steer. After a couple of our crew got cars, we'd pile 5 or 6 at a time and careen down 237, usually ending up in a snowbank. If we couldn't get it out, well, my father had a Farmall 340.
We'd have some brutal snowball fights, too. Two teams, each building a snow wall about 25 feet apart, and about 4 feet high. The object was to knock down the wall with snowballs, then get your opponents "out", like in dodgeball. We'd have wintertime bonfires, too,
Good times. Richmond VA '72-75; Atlanta '75-'79; Houston '79-'89; Atlanta ever since. And, truthfully, at 68 and in a wheelchair, no kin here, I'm tired of the heat and the !!!TRAFFIC!!!
Thank you very much for sharing this! I was born in Rochester, and we moved to Florida when I was a little girl. This famous Blizzard hit not long after we moved and I still have a picture my Grandma sent us of her house on Chili Avenue with snow almost up to the roof. My grandparents, aunts and uncles have all since passed away, and I have many dear cousins still in the Rochester area, and we have been reminiscing on Facebook and I have been searching for anything I can find about Rochester. Thank you for the memories - I have liked and Subscribed and my whole family will be checking your channel often.
Great memories and thanks for watching!
I too was a Rochestarian male of just 11 years old. Wow. We lived in Gates. That was a child's fairy tale land back then. If I recall correctly, we had the whole week of school off and that was hard to pass up. Good thing! The snow was so high you could barely push the screen door open. Forget trying to walk to the bus stop. But the whole thing was just a great childhood blast. It just seems like the snows were deeper, the winters colder and the adventures simpler and better back then. For me, the 60s are full of great memories for a kid of that era. This is just one if them.
I hear ya my friend! Thanks for commenting and watching!
Thank you! I lived on Arinton Drive. I was a baby during this storm just less than one year old. We moved when I was four...... my dad is enjoying this memory. (we lived across the street from Tina & Sam/ Don & Mary) thank you again.
Oh wow! Thanks for the comment and for watching!
During this blizzard, we lived 2 miles East on Boughton Hill Road in Honeoye Falls, NY, 15 miles south of Rochester, NY!
We were SNOWED IN for 3 Days, with the snow drifts over 6 feet ABOVE the house, covering all doors & windows! The only thing showing was the exhaust pipe for our gas heat furnace… Thankfully… We survived well!
This does brings back some wonderful memories of living/visiting in wonderful Upstate/Western NY for 10 years! (From Jamestown to Niagara Falls, east to Rochester & Mexico, over to Cranberry Lake, down to North Syracuse west to Waterloo & ALL the Finger Lakes region, then over to Leicester & Arcade!)
Many great friends & good neighbors (sadly, almost ALL are deceased now)!
Thanks for posting!
Montague On The Hill, TEXAS
Thank you for sharing, I remember this well, all the neighbors helping each other, not like that today, I'm glad I lived back then
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
I was born at Highland Hospital on 1/30/1966. Thank you for posting the video! My parents always told me I was born during One of the worst storms in our history. This certainly proves it.
Very glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
Lol..I'm from the roc (portland ave)..this felt like everyday in my childhood..from Nov-late March😞
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the memories, I was a little young so I don't remember much. Thanks again.
Wow, I remember that storm. I was a student at the old RIT and lived on Milbank St in the city. A snow drift blocked the door from opening and the city was at a standstill.
It was pretty brutal for a couple of days! Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
Im still on Milbank st
I was 12 then, but my family had just gone to California for 6 months, so we missed it. This is the first time I've seen a movie of it, thanks for posting!
I was 9 living in Webster. I can remember people skiing down snowdrifts in the street.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
I was just a little to young to remember this , thank you for sharing. Great video!
I was in grade school in a suburb of Chicago. My brothers and I went sledding off the roof of the garage. The snow drifted over the doors of the house. Have never seen snow like this since. Thanks for the upload and memories!
Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories of the time!
i was raised in IRONDEQUOIT N
Y. Which is part of Rochester N
Y. WE lived in the snow belt just 2 blocks from Lake Ontario. fun to see this
x
You were close to me. I lived in Summerville on Madison Terrace. I was 12 yrs. old in 66.
I was 7 years old and lived in Fairport near the canal, my Dad and a neighbor did the same thing. Got the kids sleds and and made food runs to the store for us and other neighbors. Thanks for the memories.
Those WWII vets were very resourceful! Thanks for watching and for the comment!
I lived in Fairport too. Whitney Road.
My family talked about that storm for years. Our car was covered. My Father dug a tunnel to the corner store. We were able to get some food.
My Dad and our neighbors dug a path to the Henrietta store to try to get food!
This was so cool to see in video.
My parents and grandparents reference this storm anytime it snows here. Rochester winter warriors haha. Thank you for sharing! ✨
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing this video ~ I was 10 years old in Brighton and remember this well ! Especially the snow that was piled up to the second storey window ! And yes, dad and the neighbor men set out on foot with sleds and toboggans to grab supplies and food.
Those WWII vets were pretty resourceful! Thanks for the great comment and thanks for watching!
I’m glad your dad took these movies too! One of my happiest memories. The snow was up to the roof of our house and buried the door. We dug out and Dad pulled us on the toboggan up Long Pond road to Buckmans Dairy in Greece to get groceries.
Thanks for sharing your memories and for watching!
I remember this too and know exactly where your talking about.
I remember those years, snow drifts of five feet and we didn't know what a snowblower was then or if they even existed. I was 11 yrs. old and made plenty of money shoveling, spring time came and with that a new baseball glove or bat or fishing gear. Amazing how much energy we had then. Today you don't see any youngsters walking door to door with shovels. They rather sit at home and play video games. But I do have a snowblower now except it doesn't snow here as much anymore. Great memorabilia you produced. Thank You.
Thanks for sharing the great memories and thanks for watching!
I sure do miss the good old days. They were the best adventures ever as a kid growing up. Kids of today will never know.
You may be right! Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Thanks for sharing that memory. I remember the 1977 blizzard.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
Great video! I grew up in Kendall, NY. I was 15 at the time of the Blizzard of 66. We didn’t have school for a week. The snow on some roads were as high as the telephone poles. A lot of open fields with the wind whipping up huge drifts. You mentioned about snowmobiles. Well some people had some and they were used to get food to people. On some roads they had to use dynamite to clear the roads. What a Blizzard!
Great comment and thanks for watching!
Same here in Hamlin , drifts were high as the second story of the house, over the top of chicken coops, when we finally went to school, snow was piled up as high as the bus windows! Great time to be a kid!
Thanks for pulling this together and sharing it. Remember it well!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
Wow! I was 10 years old and living in Rochester: Lake Road and Lakeview Park area. My school. #7, was closed Monday through Thursday. When you are a kid, these blizzards are tremendous fun! On Friday 3 or 4 of us showed up and we did art all day. I am amazed you have this footage. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I really enjoyed watching this video! Thanks for sharing!😊
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting and watching!
I was about 18 then. My wife and I don't recall this storm in Connecticut, but I'm sure we weren't entirely spared. My parents lived in Booneville very close to the Adirondacks just north of Utica NY from 1970 - 85 so I know full well what that area can produce just from regular storms. It wasn't just the storms either. They dealt with lake effect snow and snow blowing from the pastures, both refilling the long driveway pretty much on a daily basis.
Thanks for posting the video. It brought back pleasant memories.
Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
Ha! I know Boonville. About 10 yrs back our car broke down on a dirt road near Raquette Lake. We had to get towed to Boonesville where we spent the night in a hotel with partying lumberjacks who were in town for their annual contest. That was in the fall, but tomorrow we are off to Inlet, NY for a few days in the snow, cold and roaring fireplaces. Love it!
@@Chiamex I don't know the present name but I think the hotel you stayed at is on route 12. Woodsmen's Field Days was the event name. Don't go up there much anymore except for the occasional cemetery visit. I've been to Inlet. Wish I could be there now. Love the whole area.
ThNK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING BRIAN
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
I remember this very well. I lived in West Irondequoit and people were using their ski's to go to Star Market in Irondequoit Plaza which was actually at the end of my street and thru the gate to the back end of Sibleys.
Thanks for the great comment and thanks for watching!
I was 4, and not sure I remember this storm, or if I kind of blend it with others from my youth. I am short, so any snow over 18" was a lot of snow. Dad was a lineman for RG&E, I imagine the moment he could get to his truck, he was out helping folks. Thanks for the video, wish I'd asked my family about it more.
Thanks for watching and for positing your memories!
This was awesome, brings back many wonderful memories from my childhood on Long Island, NY where we usually had 2-3 blizzards a year back then. As a kid it was great, schools were closed, sometimes for a few days, but as we became adults and had to travel in it, wasn't so fun anymore!! Thanks for sharing!!
Snow fun for kids...bad for adults! Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
I was 12 and lived in Oswego. None of us kids remember shoveling to the outhouse!! My father was snowed in the city for 3 days and they brought him home on a snowmobile with some groceries. I think it makes us a lot stronger to the ones in this day and age!
Thank you !!
Tom Elias here, well done Brian, so many great memories of our neighborhood, keep them coming !!
Thanks, will do! How is John doing? Is he on Facebook?
Here's another 8mm conversion that has you and John in it! ruclips.net/video/8ErqGVtqvu4/видео.html
All things work together for good to those who love Christ and are called according to his purpose
Great story and videos of the storm in 66. I’ll just get right to it. My name is Donald Meisenzahl. I own Meisenzahl Lawn and Landscape. I haven’t missed a snowflake since 1986. We had three blizzards in the Rochester area from 1999-2014. With the pay loader, other front end loaders, and four plow trucks. Nope... couldn’t capitalize on the storms I worked in. We waited for the winds subside. With what you shared on that horrific storm in 66, makes the latest blizzards I’ve worked in was child’s play. Meisenzahl Dairy broke out the horses pulling wagons of milk at ever intersection in Henrietta who was ever was in need. The plow trucks broke down due to clutch failure. Now thats a storm. With my research, 66 was the worst. Thank you for your video.
Thanks for this great comment! Thanks for watching!
When I grew up in Irondequoit, I seem to remember Meisenzahls Dairy. Same family?
Fly'n Brian thank you for sharing. I loved every part of it.
jeff condit yes, same family. I’m the grandson of Casper Meisenzahl. He owned Meisenzahl Dariry. Lots of stories and photos.
I remember this! I was 5 years old put on my snowsuit in an attempt to see the Town plow roaring down the road. Without my parents knowledge I stood in the shoulder of the road just as the plow throwing snow so high was barreling down approaching my house. Out of nowhere my father appeared, picked me up and ran. He said...You want to die!!? That plow would've buried you way over your head and if I didn't see you, you wouldn't be able to dig your way out! Then more harsh warnings and lecture. In the house I stayed. I remember afterward feeling stupid I did that. Just wanted to see the plow throw all that snow....
Great comment! Thanks for watching!
Older and wiser?
What a wonderful commentary to go with the footage.
Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!
Love this!
Thanks for commenting and watching!
I was living in Morganville at the time and it was extroadinary. A memory I will never forget.
Thanks for the nice comment and for watching!
We used an army halftrack loaded with ballest to push through the snow. A truck was behind the halftrack also pushing. The snowbanks were over 15 feet high and I had to walk over them to deliver papers.
Interesting story for sure! Thanks for watching!
notice the passenger in the snow plow at 5:15. I've done that as a plow truck operator. The passengers job is to constantly communicate to the driver about wing plow obstacles and tell the driver what to do as far as the wing plow is concerned. Its fast moving fun.
We got a bunch of mailboxes coming up...get ready! Okay, LOWER THE WING! (bam, bam, bam.) Alright!! We got three!
@@FlynBrian my snowplow supervisor and I have blackmail stories on each other. We agreed to take those stories to our graves. I'll just say that snowplow operators have bad days like everyone else.
Very nice video. I Googled mapped the area and saw the same houses now with tree lined streets.
Thanks for the great Video! I was 12 years old in 1966. I remember all too well, that storm.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
I was three years old in '66 Where I was born there was no snow. It wasn't until my 11th year that I saw the white stuff ❄️🌨️ come down from the sky. I was transfixed, mesmerized and overjoyed!
So awesome that your family preserved this 8 mm film. Thank you for uploading. It makes me nostalgic.
This is a fantastic video !! Well done
Thank you very much and thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you for showing this film
I lived Rochester 1982 til the June 2012.
I do remember those many snow days.
We now live in Dallas,TX
But I still call Rochester my hometown.
Not much snow in DFW! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
These memorable heavy snow winters are GONE WITH THE WIND......
Gone with the wind, but forever captured on color film! Thanks for the comment!
What about the 8 ft that fell on Buffalo in 2014?
What are you smoking? Weve had bigger storms than that plenty of times since the 90s even.
Can never forget this storm. I was a senior getting ready to go to Oswego St. They had something like 103 inches during the storm with snow drifts up to roof tops. At orientation at Oswego they showed dorms where you could not see the 1st floor; the snow, not drifts, was up to the 2nd story! On St Rt 89 in front of my girl friends house about a mile out of Seneca Falls there was a snow drift that the State cut a snow tunnel thru so cars could get up and down the highway. I think Seneca Falls "only" get about 43" but the wind blown drifts were incredible!
Fantastic comment and memories! Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Thanks for sharing ❄️
Thanks for the great memory of this classic snow storm. I lived in West Irondequoit near Lake Ontario and Lakeshore Blvd and I was 17 yrs old at the time. I remember wearing my dad's hip boots, because the snow was so deep, and walking in the middle of unplowed streets to visit my friends. It was nice to have off from school for a week. I don't remember any neighbors owning snow blowers nor having their driveways plowed. We only had shovels back then. My husband remembers earth movers clearing his street which was on a steep hill in Charlotte. And having to take the windows out of the side door of his house in order to get outside. The snow was so deep that you couldn't open the door out into it. I'm sure we did a ton of sledding and tobogganing in Durand Eastman Park on "suicide hill" after the storm stopped. Haven't had a storm like that ever since.
Great memories! Thanks for watching!
We used to go to Blossom Rd. Is that where Durand is ? ? I know the hill was STEEP & LOOONG. It was excellent...
@@umpman04 No, that hill you mentioned is in Ellison Park on North Landing Rd. in Brighton. Durand Eastman Park is on Lakeshore Blvd. in Irondequoit along Lake Ontario.
@@Chiamex OH, OK
Great video!
Thank you!
Great video! I looked on Google to see what those houses look like today. Great memories.
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!!
www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89d6b618d2ea9269:0xee0f969b1eaf03b8!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/ivan%2Bgreen%2Bprimary%2Bschool/@43.2050755,-77.5676965,3a,75y,84.22h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211sCjnHtgpRQ65omIDMJfO12A*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x89d6b618d2ea9269:0xee0f969b1eaf03b8?sa%3DX!5sivan+green+primary+school+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2sCjnHtgpRQ65omIDMJfO12A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwimkqKAxo7nAhUDXa0KHdUlCqMQpx8wCnoECBkQCw
I was 22 and lived in a mobile home in Rochester during this storm. I had not gone for groceries Saturday (storm hit Sunday night) and could not grocery shop Sunday because of "blue laws". So I thought I would shop Monday after work. Ha! Forecasting was not what it is today and we had no idea a blizzard was coming. We existed 4 days, until the National Guard dug us out, on 1 gallon of milk, bread and a box of Bisquick. We would let our small dog outside by putting his snowsuit on, then a harness and lowering him on a rope from a 2nd story window. Then when he had done his business, we would pull him back up into the window. We did not lose power, nor heat. Since we did not have children, it was a fun adventure for us.
Thanks for the great comment and for watching!
stranded at bristol mt with the fritzschings for 4 days. :)
thanks for watching!
Thank you very much as I enjoyed watching and remembering that storm as I was 7 years old and living in east Avon,n.y.,.
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
Fly'n Brian ,I used to cut grass now retired,the grass I cut was around that corner Vinedale as my mother used to live on Walzer rd. When she was a little girl.
Man! Did this ever bring back my memories of this landmark event. I experienced it with my parents and brother in Newark, about 25 miles to the east -- but conditions there were exactly as depicted in Irondequoit. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing in your comment and for watching!
I was 14. Lived on Hudson Ave. and attended Ben Franklin. I was definitely impressed with this storm! Thanks for sharing 😊☃️🌬❄️
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
I was born on February 2 of that year; my dad always told me that the ambulance couldn’t get down the street to get Mom to the hospital to birth me...this is the first time I’ve ever seen footage of the blizzard. Thanks for sharing!
Great story! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!!
Cool video
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
I remember this well, I was 11 years old. The snow drifts went as high as the 2nd story of our house. We slid down on our sleds and built a cave inside it. My dad worded nights at the D&C as a printer downtown, he was unable to get home for about 5 days. We lived in the town of Greece at the corner of Ridgewood Rd. & Ridge Rd. W. We were able to walk to the Wegmans at Ridgemont Plaza, walk to Buckman’s Dairy and donut shop. All the kids in the neighborhood were outside from morning till night. Now I winter in Florida!!
Thanks for sharing the great memory and thanks for watching!
I was 10 in the Town Of Ontario and remember this storm well. When my road was opened with a V- plow and a regular plow behind it. I was off from school 5 days. My neighbor up the road had a Ski doo and made trips to the store for us. I'm living in Florida now so I'm dodging hurricanes now instead of snowstorms. Thanks for sharing those 8mm films.
Thanks for sharing your great memories and thanks for watching!
I was seven years old in '66. We lived in Penfield. I worked for the Town of Penfield Highway Dept. for thirty years. 1985-2015. I worked many storms through those years but nothing like '66. I bought a house in Ontario in '93. Greetings from Knickerbocker Rd.
@@594bolt Greatings! I lived on 1118 Ridge Rd just west of Slocum Rd. I'm in Florida now and don't miss those NY winters!
I was 14 in 1966 and we lived in Brighton. We had just moved down to Virginia that year before the storm hit. And when we got to Virginia, when there was maybe at most an inch of snow, my friends thought it was a major snow storm!
Living in the south most of my life now, I agree that a dusting of snow causes panic among southerners! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for uploading this.
Thanks for watching!
I was 12 at the time and lived by the lake off of Beach Ave and because of the wind off of the lake , the snow drifts on Beach Ave were almost to the top of the telephone poles by Abbotts Custard. At the time, there was a Star Market at the corner of Lake Ave and Latta Rd and we dragged my sled to get supplies there.
Thanks for sharing the great memories and thanks for watching!
So cool. The house with the covered porch, 3 side windows @ 3:27 is still there when you Google Map Street view this. Very cool .
Yup! 182 Ellinwood Dr! I believe all the homes that appear in the video are still there. Our house was at the corner of Pin Oak Ln and Airinton Dr. We moved there in 1962. The neighborhood was built out in the early 1960's, so the homes were nearly new when this storm struck! Thanks for commenting and for watching!
I was living in Waterloo, NY at the time. I was 5 but still remember playing in the stuff.
Great memories and thanks for watching!
I remember. I was 19 and lived in Irondequoit. Climbed a few high snow drifts and walked to the corner store to stock up.
Nice comment and thanks for watching!
Walked up to cooper deli for there famous subs. Yumm
@@Sammy10100 Lived near Norton and Culver. Small convenience store on the corner was open.
Nice video,I love snow
Thanks for watching!
We lived out of the Village in the Country and yes, plows
could not get through. My Dad worked at Jackson & Perkins
in charge of propagation. Had to take care of those plants.
Walked through the 3 or 4 ft. of snow. Next time I saw him
was the 1st time I've seen him with a growth of whiskers..
Lived on Seneca Pkwy . I remember using cross country skis to go to a store on Lake Ave
I relish my time as a kid in western NY. Great memories. I was 16 during this storm living in Geneva.
Thanks for commenting and for watching!
Awesome video.
Glad you enjoyed it
I was 11 years old and living in Virginia. I had a newspaper route and I remember trying to deliver newspapers with snow up to my waste. Never forget that! Lol
That makes life as a paperboy pretty difficult! Thanks for watching!
Somehow that just didn't bother us as kids. We plowed through with a smile on our face.
I was a teenager at Eastridge. I remember it well and one of the neighbors did a milk run up to Deryke dairy on their snow mobile. It was an adventure!
Thanks for sharing the great memories and thanks for watching!
Wow great video it brings back so many memory
Glad to hear that and thanks for watching!
We lived in town of Gates
Yes one heck of a storm.
Great for making tunnels at 11 years old
Thanks for the nice commenting and thanks for watching!
I also was from Gates and 11 years old. We lived off of Howard road about a 10 minute walk to the old J M Fields department store.
I was 11 1/2 when this happened we lived in the city so the snow was unbelievable. Couldn't even see where the cars were. I'll never forget it.
Thanks for sharing the great memories and thanks for watching!
i was born late january 28th 66 basicly the 29th my mom was in a hospital in the bronx. ( i can no longer remember its name and they are both gone so i can't have them remind me like i used to..).. I would grow up hearing about the struggle my dad had making it to the hospital in the storm, he said he couldn't see because of the white out, he said he would never forget finding himself walking on top of cars..I have seen a few big snow storms growing up and today we have some harsh winters but they are nothing compared to what they were back in the day ,or back the day i was born....
Thanks for the great memory and thanks for watching!
@@FlynBrian 54 yr's ago today..hard to believe, it was like a different world . my memories become cohesive around 1970 but i have a few flashes from 68-69( little things like popeye and the little rascals nixon running for pres and my mom and dad talking about him.) any way birthday is over now thanks for the memories.
I lived in Rochester during 1966. Thanks for posting this interesting film!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video!! I remember that storm well. I was 12 years old. School was closed for a week and my neighbor buddy and I had a Blast!!!! That was definitely the worst storm in this area that I can remember.
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!!
Or best, depending on how you looked at it. I was there too.
I was living in Rochester at that time and I remember that blizzard. Then in 1977, I was in downtown Buffalo right by the lake and watched that blizzard hit the city then drove 25 miles to my home in Alden. I started thinking maybe it was time for a warmer climate!
Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
Yes....thanks Brian for posting the vid....and thanks to your Dad too :) I was 10....we lived outside of Rochester in the town of Hilton on right off of 259 and Ridge Rd West. A solid 4 feet in the middle of the country road. Dad could not walk thru the snow to get cigarettes from the corner store (Whalen's). My buddy and I made about 10 bucks cashola a driveway. Not all driveways were "easy". They were not just snow...one had about 12 inches off icy packed snow at the bottom. We had to give up on that driveway....the shovel could not slice into it :) Ken Now I'm in AZ....no snow ....no shovels.
Great story for sure! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
I turned 13 on January 13, 1966. I remember someone walking down Mt Hope Avenue wearing snowshoes!
I grew up by Ellinwood Drive and used to go sledding down the hill.
I remember that. My dad's car was completely covered you could not see it. The local grocery store ran out of food. I think we were snowed in for three days. We lived in bloomfield
Thanks for the great comment and thanks for watching!
I remember that storm very well. Lived in Medina at the time and had to work at Sylvania in Batavia that Saturday. After work I picked up my date and drove back to Medina. After dinner and a movie, we came outside the theater and couldn't see across the street. I managed to drive her home from Medina through Albion then to Batavia. I was the only car (1959 Rambler) on the roads. When I got back home in medina, we couldn't get out until the following Wednesday. The 1966 storm was worse than the 1977 storm for me.
Fantastic memory of the storm! Thanks for watching!
This was before me but I was a kid back in 92 I believe it was when that ice strom hit. This video brought up child feelings of awe :]
Thanks for sharing the memory and thanks for watching!
When the snow melts , steelhead run the streams and fishing is awesome
Thanks for watching!
Grew up at 23 Pin Oak almost directly across the street! I was less than 18 months old in Jan '66, but there were plenty of storms to follow that I did remember. I have lived in Northern New England for the past 20 years and there has never been a Nor'easter to match Western New York Lake Effect!
Hi Rob! I remember you dad had an extensive model railroad set in the basement and a variety of railroad items in the house. I posted a video of a x-mas party that your mom and dad were in. facebook.com/bpsmith1/videos/vb.1110151808/10214891888026625/?type=3
Thanks for watching!!
Ah Brian those storms of the early to mid 60's were great.Most were at least a foot most 16" and over. We would at least 8-14 of these every winter back then.
Thanks for commenting and for watching!!