Settled by Italian immigrants after they expanded outside the Mount Allegro area of downtown, Lyell-Otis has enjoyed many interesting transitions in it's long history. Strong Mediterranean roots mix with newer Vietnamese seeds as established Italian bakeries neighbor Asian restaurants.

At the birth of the 20th century, the nation was exiting its war in the Philippines, and Rochester was prepping to welcome home its celebrated General, Army General Elwell Stephen Otis. To commemorate his return, a gigantic celebratory arch was constructed on Main Street, right at the end of East Avenue. Largely forgotten and no longer celebrated, June 15th served as the official Otis Day for Rochesterians.

About the same time, a small photographic paper and equipment company was operating on Rutter St. The Haloid Photographic Company was a very successful but modest company until the 1940s when they purchased the technology known as xerography. Harnessing the potential of this copying advancement, the company would continue to grow and expand, eventually becoming the internationally renowned Xerox Corporation. The Xerox/Haloid red of their logos make up the color of the Otis Arch.

And just before Haloid made it's best business decision in it's history with purchasing xerography, a resourceful Italian family was making sauces to sell to neighborhood stores and families around the area from their home on Avery St. This small operation would grow to be on most every table in the US, as American families asked for Ragu to be in their kitchens and dining room tables. The color of the shirt reflects this delicious company's beginnings. Coincidently, after the Cantisano family sold the Ragu business, they started another pasta sauce company called Cantisano Foods, which would later be named LiDestri Foods, a local Rochester company producing well-known national food and beverage brands like Newman's Own and Captain Morgan Rum.

The Rochester subway system traveled west to east servicing as much of the city neighborhoods as possible: Residents and visitors of Lyell-Otis would primarily jump on and off the Emerson Street station for access.