Rochester

History

Rochester is rooted in an early pioneer settlement known as "The Mouth" for its strategic location at the confluence of the Green and Mud rivers. The city was established in the 1830s and incorporated in 1839. It is named for Rochester, New York. There is a connection to Rochester, New York, but it is not named "for" it. Documentation of the Rochester family, in a book “The House of Rochester in Kentucky” by Mrs. Agatha Rochester Strange published in/around 1889, indicates that Rochester, KY was settled by William Strother Lewis McDowell (b. Jun 24, 1819) thanks to the dedication and management from his mother, Nancy “Ann” Jordan Rochester (1797–1856).

Geography

Rochester is located in western Butler County at (37.210712, -86.892483). Its northwestern boundary, the Green River, is the county boundary as well, with Ohio County on the opposite side of the river. A small portion of the western boundary of the city is formed by the Mud River, which is also the boundary with Muhlenberg County. Kentucky Route 70 (Rochester Road) passes through the city, leading east to Morgantown, the Butler County seat, and west to Drakesboro. Kentucky Route 369 leaves Rochester to the north, crossing the Green River by the Rochester Ferry and leading north to Beaver Dam. Rochester Dam is located along the Green River just west of Rochester. According to the United States Census Bureau, Rochester has a total area of , of which , or 5.46%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  438
• Turkey Vulture

  Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  388
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  387
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  379
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  324
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  313
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  308
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  300

Most recent

• M 2.52 — 2023-06-03
  7 km N of Nebo, Kentucky
• M 2.51 — 2023-05-30
  7 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky
• M 3.03 — 2023-05-30
  6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky
• M 2.61 — 2020-02-27
  5 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky
• M 2.61 — 2015-09-12
  5 km SE of Corydon, Kentucky
• M 2.5 — 2012-04-18
  13 km W of Owensboro, Kentucky