Democrat and Chronicle, 19 Oct 1920, Tue, Page 20
In keeping with our Presidential Visits series (BELOW), on October 22nd, 1920, Herbert Hoover campaigned for Republican nominee Warren G. Harding, one day after Harding spoke at Convention Hall.
Democrat and Chronicle, (left) Harding’s visit 10/21/20; (right) Hoover’s visit 10/22/20
Having led the U.S. Food Administration during World War I, Hoover was described in the Democrat and Chronicle‘s 1920 article as “one of the best known men in America.” After Harding won, Hoover was appointed Secretary of Commerce. In 1928, defeating Democrat Al Smith, Hoover was elected president. In 1932, Hoover would lose his reelection bid to Democrat Franklin Roosevelt.
Tracking down presidential visits — especially visits before the man was president — is a painstaking task. Finding Hoover in Rochester was very much like looking for the proverbial needle in digital and print haystacks.
The site Rochester N.Y. – Today in History: A historical journal of life in Rochester, NY is a valuable resource but has many omissions, including Hoover. The digital D & C archives are invaluable but cumbersome. Alas, the archives don’t have search mechanisms that easily recover relevant articles. The D & C and Times Union print clippings held in the Local History room at the Rochester Central Library attest to the diligence and commitment of generations of newspaper clippers, but are, alas, limited.
One 1956 D & C article seemingly verified that Hoover did not campaign in Rochester in 1928 or 1932:
Democrat and Chronicle, Tue Oct 30 1956-–-Page-37
Indicative of our research difficulties, this excerpt may seem informative but is itself suspect. As claimed in the excerpt, Roosevelt passed on Rochester in ’40 and ’44. However, in ’40, the D & C ran a story about the thousands who watched FDR campaign en route to his victory over Wendell Willkie.
See FDR in Rochester three days before he won a third term
Only with good luck was Hoover “discovered” in 1920. The discover confirms that every president from Cleveland (1884) through Trump (2016) visited Rochester in some official capacity.
In 1928, Hoover did not visit Rochester, but his running mate Kansas Senator Charles Curtis did.
Democrat and Chronicle, 25 Oct 1928, Thu, Page 1
Greeted enthusiastically at Convention Hall, Curtis’ message about Republican fiscal responsibility resonated. Given the good economic times, Hoover/Curtis won a relatively easy victory over NYS Governor Al Smith and his running mate Joseph T. Robinson. Hoover even won Smith’s home state, New York, 49.79% of the vote to Smith’s 47.44%
Election of 1928. Red = Hoover; blue=Smith
NYS Governor and Democratic presidential nominee Al Smith speaking at Convention Hall, October 2nd, 1928.
During the campaign, Governor Smith spoke at the October New York Democratic state convention in Convention Hall. Franklin Roosevelt was not in attendance, but Smith called him, urging Roosevelt to accept the gubernatorial nomination, which Roosevelt did in abstentia — and won. Roosevelt campaigned in Rochester in 1928, then again in 1930 when he won reelection, and then again in 1932 when he successfully ran for president against Hoover.
Democrat and Chronicle (top) October 23rd, 1928, (bottom left) October 22nd, 1930 (bottom right) October 19th, 1932
See Governor Roosevelt’s triumphant return to Convention Hall, October 18th, 1932
In 1928, another candidate stumped in Rochester, the Socialist Party’s Norman Thomas. Thomas only won 2.44% of the New York vote. But — given the stock market crash a year later — Thomas’ message seems prescient: “Capitalism Under Fire.”
Democrat and Chronicle, 24 Oct 1928, Wed, Page 17
In 1932, claiming that Hoover’s Depression policies were failing, then NYS Governor Roosevelt easily won the election, including 54.07% of the vote in New York State versus Hoover’s 41.33%.
Election of 1932. Red = Hoover; blue = Roosevelt
In New York, Thomas won 3.78%.
THE SERIES
First, ROYALTY ON THE RIVER: A KING (and maybe a second king, and even an emperor) COME TO ROCHESTER
Then, when a Frenchman was in Rochester and a plaque for Lafayette.
In HAND GRENADES, HORSE SHOES, TAYLOR AND MONROE, it was two near misses.
In Martin Van Buren: The Little Magician pops up in Rochester, it was 1839.
In When President John Quincy Adams visited Rochester on July 27th and 28th, 1843 and toured Mt. Hope Cemetery, the grave of Nathaniel 
Rochester.
In On Abraham Lincoln in Rochester from Michael Nighan, a plaque and a train station.
In When President Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant visited Rochester in the Swing Around the Circle, it was two Presidents for the price of one.
In Memorial Day, 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison dedicated the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument in Washington Square Park with Frederick Douglass. And Occupy Rochester, Benjamin Harrison, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass in the same park Occupy would occupy.
November 1st, 1892 when McKinley campaigned for Benjamin Harrison, more support for Harrison.
In October, 26th, 1898: the Rough Rider on his way to the Governor’s mansion. TR Comes to Town, again…and again…and again… by Michael Nighan., a statue of Teddy in School 29.
When Taft spoke at Convention Hall on August 23rd, 1911, the Grand Army of the Republic.
When Wilson spoke at Convention Hall and the Shubert Theatre four days before elected President, it was a three way race.
In BIG BILL, BIG BELL AND SCHOOL BELLS: An ex-president, the Liberty Bell, and several thousand school teachers come to town. it was William Howard Taft.
In FDR’s first visit to Rochester as a national candidate, September 23rd, 1920. And the League of Nations., Rachel in Washington Square Park.
In October 21st, 1920 in Rochester and Governor Harding’s return to normalcy. And the school named after him., a school in North Gates.
In Governor Roosevelt’s triumphant return to the Convention Hall, October 18th, 1932, a luncheon with Eleanor Roosevelt.
In FDR in Rochester en route to a New Deal landslide, October 17th, 1936, an unfinished portrait.
In FDR in Rochester three days before he won a third term, a World War.
In When President Truman campaigned in Rochester en route to his upset win over NY Governor Thomas Dewey, a thruway sign.
In October 23rd and 24th, 1952 when Ike and Adlai were in town back to back. And School 29., the Adlai E. Stevenson School.
In 56 years ago when JFK spoke at the War Memorial. Two days after his debate with Nixon. Nine days after RFK was here., the War Memorial.
In Nixon at the War Memorial one week before he lost a razor thin election to JFK , the War Memorial.
In LBJ and RFK in Rochester, October 15th,1964, LBJ and RFK at the airport.
In November 3rd, 1964: When Rochester’s Senator Keating lost to RFK in the wake of LBJ’s landslide. a Federal building.
In In ’68 when Vice President Humphrey and former Vice President Nixon campaigned in Rochester, the election that defined the ’60s.
In 45 years ago when President Nixon visited Rochester. And 3 days later when East High School erupted in racial violence a media briefing at the Landmark Hotel in Pittsford.
In When Carter stumped Rochester in ’76. And Howard the Duck. it was Howard for Prez.
In October 31st, 1976: Gerald Ford two days before the unelected president’s comeback falls just short., a Playboy
In October 29th, 1980: Carter at a rally six days before the Reagan revolution. And when Bernie Sanders campaigned for Barry Commoner, the Citizen’s Party.
In November 1st, 1984: Ronald Reagan five days before his 49 state landslide. And Jesse Jackson at MCC. And a liberal enclave. it was two rallies.
In 27 years ago today when President George H. W. Bush visited Wilson Magnet High School, a signed chalkboard.
In May 24th, 2005 when President Bush spent political capital in Greece. it is Dr. Bruce Kay
In 11 years ago when President Bush met J-Mac. And the judgment of history., J-Mac.
In 5 Meliora Weekends ago when President Clinton spoke., Great Books with President Seligman.
In On October 19th, 2012 when Bill Clinton campaigned for Louise Slaughter. And a Socialist at the public market, Peta Lyndsay.
In , A seat at the President’s table four years later soup and a grilled cheese sandwich at Magnolia’s and an eyewitness account.
In Next stop Albany. On the road with the Trumprenuers, the Trumprenuers at the airport.
In Memories of presidential visits on Election Day in Brighton, a vote for Talker.
