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For those from/in the Rochester, New York area, this is a photo of a portion of Panorama Plaza in Penfield, an eastern suburb. The plaza is at the corner of Panorama Trail and Penfield Road, and it has changed significantly since this photo was taken. I grew up about two miles from this plaza and hung out here often with friends. We used to go to J. M. Fields, the big discount department store that was at the far end of this plaza. The other end, at least at one time, was anchored by a Star Supermarket. Anyone remember The Shed House, which advertised itself as the cool place to buy jeans and other clothing? Dime Bank is where I had my first savings account, complete with a little passbook to keep track of the amount in the account. No computer printouts here. The teller actually wrote the deposit amount in the passbook and handed it back to me. It did look just like a passport.
Anyway, I love this as a period photo, and I’m trying to determine the earliest date it could be based on the model years of the cars visible. The latest model year seen gives an earliest possible year. In all but one case (car #1), we’re seeing the back ends of them, which makes it a little more difficult, at least for me. My best guess is late 1974. My family thinks that I'm the car expert and can date these in no time. So far, in this regard, I've been a massive disappointment. My sister commented on how much she loves all the chrome bumpers.
I’ve numbered the cars to make them easier to refer to. What I can say about them, which isn’t usually much, is below.
1. White Chevy Nova? Early ‘70s.
2. Green Ford Ranchero
3. Red with white vinyl roof. Pontiac of some kind?
4. One of the two versions of Chevy Monza? The Monza was first offered in 1975, I believe.
5. Mopar wagon of some sort?
6. Yellow Ford wagon, early-mid ‘70s?
7. Tan Ford something? Torino?
8. Another Chevy Monza or maybe Oldsmobile Starfire? Black. Again, 1975 model year at the earliest.
9. Light brown Buick?
If anyone can identify anything about the green car to the left of #1, for which all we can see is the back window, I'll be very impressed and would be glad to fax them a nickel.
I figure the car gurus that populate this site will have these nailed down in no time. Thanks!
Last edited by jaunty75; Mar 13, 2024 at 04:53 AM.
Thats a blast from the past.
My guess is circa 77-78. Not sure what year the first generation of yellow with blue letter NYS plates were phased out??? 1980 I think.
That entire Panorama Trail area is still retail all 4 corners, Home Depot etc..., and any open space around it is all condos.
Philanze and B&B Olds, Dick Ide and Peheler Pontiac Heinrich Chevy were alive and well at that time.
No Wegmans Star Market was king.
Kodak, Xerox, B&L, Gleasons, Rochester Products, Genesee, supported the entire area. All gone except the brewery thank god.
I was an east sider as well....east side of the river...no west siders!
For those from/in the Rochester, New York area, this is a photo of a portion of Panorama Plaza in Penfield, an eastern suburb. The plaza is at the corner of Panorama Trail and Penfield Road, and it has changed significantly since this photo was taken. I grew up about two miles from this plaza and hung out here often with friends. We used to go to J. M. Fields, the big discount department store that was at the far end of this plaza. The other end, at least at one time, was anchored by a Star Supermarket. Anyone remember The Shed House, which advertised itself as the cool place to buy jeans and other clothing? Dime Bank is where I had my first savings account, complete with a little passbook to keep track of the amount in the account. No computer printouts here. The teller actually wrote the deposit amount in the passbook and handed it back to me. It did look just like a passport
I live about 40 minutes away in Seneca Falls but didn't grow up here (my wife grew up in Waterloo). My daughter goes to St John Fisher and rents in a house about a mile from that intersection so we're in this area a lot ....and no it doesn't look anything like this anymore
I had the same issue with trying to date a few old photos from my dad’s collection. What helped me big time was checking reflections and background signs, like other posters said. Once I got a year range, I started uploading them to one of those high-definition wifi photo frames for my family. It actually sparked a lot of conversation and helped narrow things down even more.
