Posts by Jason D Antos
LIC Was Once The Land of Terra-Cotta
It’s one of the finest examples of historic preservation in the entire city. And you’ve probably walked right passed it. The former main offices of the New York Architectural Terra-Cotta Works, built in 1892 and designed by Francis H. Kimball, sits all by its lonesome along Vernon Boulevard just underneath the Queensborough Bridge. The…
Read MoreCelebrating 50 Years of The Godfather
It is late at night as Michael Corleone stands beneath the neon lights of Jack Dempsey’s Broadway Restaurant on Broadway between 49th and 50th Streets where he is waiting for a car to pick him up. It soon arrives carrying three men. A heroin pusher named Virgil Sollozzo, his bodyguard a New York City police…
Read MoreCelebrate The History Of Pride
As the city of New York celebrates Pride Month with parades and festivities let us take a moment to explore the extraordinary legacy and impact of the LGBTQ community in Queens. Queens is currently the most diverse area on Earth and the LGBTQ community is one of many elements which contribute to…
Read MoreAstoria Central Parking Offers Convenience & Amenities
In a neighborhood where motorists are plagued by the daily never ending search for a parking spot it is easy to understand why the rare sight of that elusive 18 foot long, nine foot wide opening is worth its weight in gold. Enter the Fort Knox of parking spots. Astoria Central Parking, located at 31-57…
Read MoreSecrets of Astoria
Astoria is a neighborhood full of places to explore and enjoy. A town so big and old as Astoria has, without a doubt, many secrets. Let’s explore some of these gems which are hiding in plain sight! John Jacob Astor-Astoria’s Namesake Originally known as Newtown, our neighborhood was named after America’s richest individual, John Jacob…
Read MorePreserving History
The history of Queens is as epic and diverse as its citizens. Millions of stories, large and small, have occurred here since its establishment in 1683. The Queens Historical Society (QHS) has been helping to preserve the legacy of these stories and the greater history of the borough for more than 50 years since it…
Read MoreChew on This
Long Island City Was Epicenter Of Women In The Workforce As we celebrate Women’s History month let us recognize the year 1919. It marked the time in America’s history when women were given the right to vote after the ratification of the 19th amendment on June 4th of that year. From that point on everything…
Read MoreWestern Queens Was Home To Family Of Christmas Fame
The Moore You Know The five boroughs of New York City were established on January 1, 1898. Prior to what was called the “Great Consolidation” of five counties to make one huge metropolis, Astoria was part of Newtown township in the days when Queens was its own county. Newtown has been inhabited since the days…
Read MoreThe Inside Scoop on ‘The French Connection’
Taking It To The Streets In 1970-71, the movie ‘The French Connection’, based on the book by Robin Moore, was filmed on the streets of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens in the dead of winter. At the time, the director, William Friedkin, was only 35 years old and unknown. Filmed with mostly handheld cameras,…
Read MoreJustice, Astoria Style
The Long Island City Courthouse If you’re familiar with Long Island City you’re probably familiar with the historic structure located at 25-10 Court Square. The Long Island City Courthouse has stood since 1874 and has been the site of some of the most important and controversial trials in New York City’s legal history. Originally designed…
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