Posts by Jason D Antos
When 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 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 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…
Read MoreLaGuardia Airport’s Hidden Historic Gem
There is a hidden gem behind La Guardia airport’s new $8 billion face-lift. Although most of the original LaGuardia Airport (including almost all of the famous American Airlines hangers) have been torn down to make way for new ultra modern terminals, the Marine Air Terminal which once hosted seaplanes flown by aviation legends Howard Hughes…
Read MoreA Look Back At 2022
Another year in the books! And as we close our book on 2022 let us look back on what made Astoria awesome! The year of ’22 has seen a lot of change and renewal. COVID-19 is now in the rearview mirror. The economy is on a rollercoaster. NYC elected a new mayor. And of course,…
Read MoreDoing Thanksgiving Solo in Astoria
For those who cannot make it home for the holidays there are many ways to stay active, positive and well fed during the four-day Thanksgiving weekend November 24th through the 27th. Here are some tasty options for you to enjoy. Sweet Afton If you are looking to drink alone (or possibly with friends) on this day…
Read MoreWoodside’s Colonial Cemetery
Woodside has a secret. Our neighbor to the south, one of the oldest settlements in Queens, is home to one of the few surviving family cemeteries in the city of New York. Marked for years by nothing more than a rusty sign, the Moore-Jackson family cemetery has been in existence since 1733 when…
Read MoreAstoria’s Top 5 Spots For Your K-9
We love our pets. And so does Astoria. That’s why the neighborhood offers some really cool places for your pooch. Here is a list of five favorites that your trusty companion (and yourself) will truly love. 1. Chateau le Woof Billed as ‘Every dog and coffee lover’s dream’, Chateau le Woof is Astoria’s premier doggie…
Read MorePepsi Cola Lives in Long Island City
In an area known for luxury high rise condominiums, shopping, water front promenades and trendy restaurants it’s hard to believe that Long Island City was once the manufacturing capital of the nation. What remains of this 150 year legacy is today Gantry Plaza State Park, old warehouses turned into expansive loft apartments and the Pepsi…
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