Posts by Jason D Antos
Learn about Astoria’s Irish History from 1638 and where to celebrate Patrick’s Day!
For this St. Patrick’s Day, we look at the little-known history of the Irish in Astoria. According to the research paper “Irish Settlers in Queens County, City of New York” by Michael J. O’Brien, the first recorded Irish person to arrive in Queens was Sarah Ryan in 1638. She came to America with her husband…
Read MoreHistoric Hangouts Of Astoria/LIC
The restaurant and business scene in Western Queens changes day-to-day offering new services and a wide variety of food and drink to fit every palate and wallet. There are still a few establishments that have been serving Astorians for generations and they are luckily, for our generation, are still amongst us to enjoy. Here is…
Read MoreIn Astoria it’s Whiskey A Go Go
Come to Astoria, where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away. Well, that’s how Garth Brooks would’ve put it anyway. Here is a list of some of the best spots in town where friends can gather to enjoy whisky…and have a good meal as well. The Huntress – Whisky, Wings and Other…
Read MoreLong Island City’s History: A Tale of Mayors, Struggles, and The Great Consolidation
Long Island City’s History: A Tale of Mayors, Struggles, and The Great Consolidation
Read MoreWelcome To Astoria’s Lost Islands: The Fascinating History of Berrien’s Island and Its Transformation
One of the most impressive parts about Queens history is how the topography of its shoreline has changed so dramatically throughout the centuries that, water front homes and private beaches now lay buried beneath the Grand Central Parkway. At one time the nation’s largest amusement park, North Beach, stood for almost 60 years only to…
Read MoreTake The Tunnel To The City: Queens Midtown Tunnel!
It’s hard to believe that the Queens Midtown Tunnel is almost 83 years old. And very little has changed; and that’s a good thing. With the exception of the elimination of the toll booths for overhead EasyPass scanners, the Midtown Tunnel still serves as an engineering marvel became instantly iconic upon its opening. The year…
Read MoreHistory Etched in Stone
The Dutch colonial era of Queens is alive and well in Long Island City. Workers in Queens Plaza who come to sit outside and enjoy their lunch break at the Dutch Kills Green while engrossed in their smartphones do so right next to two technological marvels dating back more than 370 years. It was…
Read MoreWhen Long Island City Was a City
The name says it all. Long Island City was created as a literal city on May 4, 1870 after part of the village of Astoria, and the hamlets of Ravenswood, Hunters Point, Blissville and Dutch Kills were all merged together. At the time of its incorporation, the newly formed Long Island City was now home…
Read MoreExploring Astoria’s Flat Iron Building
Located on one of New York City’s oldest roads stands a beautifully preserved specimen of what affordable housing looked like more than 100 years ago. Newtown Road, named for the township in which Astoria is located, runs aslant to the overall grid and is laid out over an ancient Indian trail that later became the main…
Read MoreAn Historic Relic in Plain Sight
One of the most magnificent relics of historic Queens stands on the southeast corner of Northern Boulevard and Woodside Avenue. The Woodside trolley car barn, built by the New York & Queens County Railway at a cost of $150,000, has stood on this spot since 1896. In that year the New York & Queens County…
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