35 Amazing Photos of Life at Ontario Beach in the Mid-20th Century

In the mid-20th century, Ontario Beach in Rochester, New York, was a bustling and beloved summertime destination, known affectionately as the “Coney Island of the West.” Nestled on the southern shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River, the beach attracted locals and visitors alike with its sandy shoreline, cool lake breezes, and lively amusement park atmosphere.

Bathing suits of the era reflected changing fashion—from modest woolen suits in the 1940s to the bolder, more form-fitting styles of the 1960s. Lifeguards in mirrored sunglasses watched over swimmers from white wooden towers, and radios crackled with the latest rock ‘n’ roll hits drifting over from cars parked in the nearby lot.

In many ways, Ontario Beach in this period encapsulated the simple pleasures of American leisure life—community, recreation, and the joy of summer by the lake. These amazing photos, discovered by Thomas Hawk, offer a glimpse into life at Ontario Beach in Rochester, New York during the 1950s and 1960s.