Google Maps glitch renames Henderson

Google’s mapping feature shows a “Rochester” where Henderson should be. A spokeswoman says Google is working to correct the error.

By Brendan Buhler (contact)

Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Google map of 'Rochester'

Welcome to fabulous Rochester, Nev. No, not the ghost town outside of Reno. And no, we didn’t mean Rochester, N.Y.

This Rochester is in Clark County, just south of Interstate 215 and adjacent to Green Valley Parkway. At least, that’s what Google Maps says. Others might call it Henderson.

“That should say Henderson, I would think,” said Ross Wekesser, a mapping technician for the Henderson public works department, as he squinted at his computer screen, glaring at Google Maps and its 3-D cousin, Google Earth, both of which showed him a phantom city invading his own.

“I have no idea how it got there or why it’s there, and I know of nothing that it could be,” Wekesser said. But he also suggested we call the county, which keeps the master maps for the valley. Maybe someone there could think of a rational explanation.

“There are no new townships. Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe it’s a joke,” said Sharon Rice, a senior mapping analyst.

“Maybe it belongs in a different Clark County.”

Clark County, Nev.’s maps are all based on recorded legal documents, Rice said. And there is no Rochester here.

“They didn’t get that from us,” Rice said.

Then she paused. Is this really a story? Rice asked.

Well, maybe not a long one, we said, but sure. A lot of people use Google Maps to get directions.

“Oh, I just go ahead and get lost,” Rice said. “I find more interesting things that way.”

Yes, well. We called Google anyway, which has also been in the news lately for creating the phantom town of Argleton about an hour west of Manchester, England.

Spokeswoman Elaine Filadelfo said that, yes, Rochester appears to be another mistake and Google is working to fix it. She couldn’t say where the mistake had come from, as Google builds its maps using a variety of data from public sources such as the Census Bureau and the National Forest Service as well as some data licensed from private suppliers.

Sometimes private map makers put in fake streets or other nonexistent features to trip up anyone who steals their maps.

Could it have been something like that?

It’s doubtful, Filadelfo said.

“I think usually that would be a little more subtle than creating a whole new town inside of Las Vegas.”

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

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By Bill_in_Henderson

Nov. 9, 2009

7:14 a.m.

Suggest removal

Actually, it should say "Green Valley Ranch" - which is the section of Henderson that "Rochester" is displayed over.
By dodgerchuck

Nov. 9, 2009

10:12 a.m.

Suggest removal

hey leave it rochester,it certainly isnt the "hooterville" we all know and loathe
By crldrummer

Nov. 9, 2009

12:33 p.m.

Suggest removal

This is due to the fact that Google no longer uses commercially available map data and is trying to build their own map infrastructure - I guess they are too cheap to pay royalties to the companies that already have the maps right. What is even worse, they are willing to have us get lost and go down one way streets the wrong way hoping we will tell them about their error. So it seems they want us all to pay the price of getting lost or get in an accident in order for them to have their own map base. No thanks...I'm going elsewhere. I think it is about time people start looking at alternatives. I personally like the bird's eye imagery on Bing Maps better anyway.
By scottdex

Nov. 10, 2009

6:12 a.m.

Suggest removal

@crldrummer, Google was not allowed to offer navigation by their commercial map providers. That is why they have created their own map in the US and why they will create their own map in Europe (probably with the help of AND Automotive Navigation Data).
By califtovegas

Nov. 10, 2009

12:44 p.m.

Suggest removal

Bill in Henderson "Green Valley Ranch" is a development not a city. It would be as accurate or inaccurate as Rochester.

Rochester? I kind of like it. Do you think I would use the same zip code?
By ThisOneGuy

Nov. 10, 2009

3:34 p.m.

Suggest removal

Maybe we have been wrong the whole time and it really IS Rochester? I mean it's on the Internet and all... Right?
By stevem

Nov. 10, 2009

5:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

google maps are wrong most of the time.
By Vegasvampire

Nov. 10, 2009

6:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

If Henderson is Rochester, then Las Vegas is Jack Benny.
By Mike123

Nov. 10, 2009

9:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

They aren't working on it very hard-it's been that way for a while.

Google maps drive times are also a joke-just look at Vegas to Reno.
By Vegasvampire

Nov. 11, 2009

12:08 a.m.

Suggest removal

Google Maps placed Las Vegas Club Hotel (which is on 18 E Fremont St, corner of Main & Fremont) on East Charleston & Fremont (where the old Showboat/Castaways was).
By Vicarious

Nov. 11, 2009

12:20 a.m.

Suggest removal

ThisOneGuy is right . . It's on the internet so it has to be true.

Not to mention the fact that Google is secretly run by the shadow world of the US government which is in league with extraterrestrials . . and probably Jesus fits in there somehow as well. Maybe they think Henderson is a silly name.

Or maybe it's just a successful juggernaut of a company that made a typo which was overlooked.

How does one get lost in the valley anyhow? It's small . . with very distinct points of reference ie the Blvd. . . staring at gps maps is why there are so many accidents on the flattest stretches of road that Ive ever seen in my life.