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What Queens looked like in the Roaring Twenties through Spectacular Historic Photos

Queens in the 1920s wasn’t just a neighbor to the bustling metropolis of Manhattan. It was a unique world, evolving from quiet farmland and small villages into a vibrant hub of activity. The borough’s population boomed, reaching over 700,000 by the end of the decade. People from all walks of life, including European immigrants, African Americans escaping the South, and families moving from Manhattan, flocked to Queens seeking new opportunities and a fresh start.

The landscape of Queens was changing rapidly. Rows of crops and open fields gave way to rows of houses and paved streets. New neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Astoria sprung up, offering affordable housing options for the growing population

Entertainment and Leisure

Life in Queens wasn’t all work and no play. The 1920s saw a surge in entertainment options. Movie theaters, like the Valencia Theatre in Jamaica and the Earle Theatre in Jackson Heights, became popular spots for enjoying the latest flicks. Dance halls, like the Sunnyside Gardens Arena, offered a place to swing and sway to the rhythms of jazz and popular tunes. For those seeking thrills, amusement parks like Fairyland Park in Whitestone provided exciting rides and attractions.

Sports Take Center Stage

Sports played a major role in the lives of many Queens residents. Baseball diamonds and soccer fields popped up in parks and open spaces. The New York Giants baseball team even considered building a stadium in Queens before ultimately settling on the Polo Grounds in Manhattan. Horse racing enthusiasts flocked to Aqueduct Racetrack, which opened its doors in 1894 and continued to draw crowds throughout the 1920s.

A Culinary Journey

The diverse population of Queens brought with it a rich tapestry of culinary traditions. Italian immigrants opened pizzerias and pasta restaurants, introducing New Yorkers to the flavors of their homeland. German bakeries offered a tempting array of breads, pastries, and cakes. Jewish delis served up classic comfort foods like pastrami on rye and matzo ball soup. These culinary treasures added to the cultural richness of the borough and remain popular fixtures in Queens even today.

Transportation Transformation

Getting around Queens became easier with the expansion of public transportation. The elevated train lines, known as the “els,” extended further into the borough, connecting residents to Manhattan and other parts of the city. Streetcars crisscrossed the neighborhoods, providing a convenient way to travel locally. The development of the Queensboro Bridge, completed in 1909, offered a direct link to Manhattan, further solidifying Queens’ connection to the heart of New York City.

#8 101st Avenue and Van Wyck Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#28 A family poses in front of the Hell Gate Bridge, a steel through arch railroad bridge in New York City, crossing the Hell Gate, 1920.

#29 The Queens Village Court House, Long Island, New York, circa 1920.

#43 Stevens house, Vernon Boulevard and 30th Road, Astoria, Queens, 1920s.

#46 76th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#55 116th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#66 150th Street and Rockaway Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#95 Alley Pond, Alley Park, and the post office, Queens, 1920s.

#99 Astoria Boulevard and 14th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#100 Astoria Boulevard and 41st Street, Queens, 1920s.

#101 Astoria Boulevard and 43rd Street, Queens, 1920s.

#102 Astoria Boulevard and 45th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#103 Astoria Boulevard and 97th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#104 Atlantic Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#106 Atlantic Avenue and 109th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#107 Atlantic Avenue and 110th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#108 Atlantic Avenue and 114th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#110 Beach 19th Street and Water Street, Queens, 1920s.

#111 Beach 20th Street and Mott Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#112 Beach 34th Street and Edgemere Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#113 Bell Boulevard and Little Bay Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#117 Bowne Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#118 Bridge Plaza North at Hunter Street, Queens, 1920s.

#119 Bridge Plaza North at 21st Street, Queens, 1920s.

#127 Cornaga Avenue at Beach 20th Street, Queens, 1920s.

#131 Cross Island Boulevard at 14th Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#132 Ditmars Boulevard at 42nd Street, Queens, 1920s.

#149 35th Avenue at Farrington Street, Queens, 1920s.

#170 Dry Harbor Road at Woodhaven Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#173 Elmhurst Avenue at Denman Street, Queens, 1920s.

#174 Farmers Boulevard at Hilburn Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#175 Farmers Boulevard at Keeseville Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#176 Farmers Boulevard at Merrick Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#177 Farmers Boulevard at Sunrise Highway, Queens, 1920s.

#178 Farrington Street at 32nd Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#179 Farrington Street at Northern Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#180 Far Rockaway Boulevard at Bayport Place, Queens, 1920s.

#181 Far Rockaway Boulevard at Mott Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#182 Flushing Avenue at Onderdonk Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#183 Flushing Avenue at Woodward Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#184 Flushing Meadow Park at 76th Avenue and 113th Place, Queens, 1920s.

#185 Grand Central Parkway at Union Turnpike, Queens, 1920s.

#189 Flushing Meadow Park at Roosevelt Avenue and Flushing Bay, Queens, 1920s.

#190 Flushing Meadow Park at the New York World’s Fair grounds, Queens, 1920s.

#191 Flushing Meadow Park at the New York World’s Fair grounds, Queens, 1920s.

#196 Grand Central Parkway at Horace Harding Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#197 Grand Central Parkway at Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#198 Grand Central Parkway at Union Turnpike, Queens, 1920s.

#199 Grand Central Parkway at 46th Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#201 Hoffman Drive at Woodhaven Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#204 Horace Harding Boulevard at Colonial Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#209 Jamaica Avenue at Carpenter Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#210 Jamaica Avenue at Hempstead Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#211 Jamaica Avenue at Hempstead Avenue, Queens, 1920s.

#212 Jamaica Avenue at Kew Garden Road, Queens, 1920s.

#213 Jamaica Avenue at Springfield Boulevard, Queens, 1920s.

#214 Jamaica Avenue at Union Hall Street, Queens, 1920s.

#215 Jamaica Avenue at Union Hall Street, Queens, 1920s.

#216 Jamaica Avenue at Union Hall Street, Queens, 1920s.

#225 The John Bowne House at Flushing, Queens, 1920s.

#226 80th Street at Northern Boulevard and 34th Avenue, Queens, 1925.

#227 775 Vernon Boulevard at 31st Avenue and 31st Drive, Queens, 1925.

#228 Old House on Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens, 1920s.

#231 The ‘Thousand Window’ Sunshine Biscuits bakery at Thomson Avenue and Skillman Avenue, Long Island City, Queens, 1920s.

Written by Dennis Saul

Content creator and Professional photographer who still uses Vintage film roll cameras. Not that I loved London less But that i Love New York City More.

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