Dennis Saul
During the 1930s, Astoria Boulevard was a street defined by transformation and large-scale construction. Its name was new, officially changed from Astoria Avenue in 1931, reflecting a period of significant modernization for the neighborhood. The boulevard served as a major east-west artery through Astoria, Queens, connecting the waterfront with the borough’s interior.
The most dominant feature of the decade was the construction of the Triborough Bridge. Work on this massive project, which had stalled after the 1929 stock market crash, resumed in 1933 under the direction of Robert Moses. The bridge’s approach ramps and main artery cut directly through the neighborhood, leading to the demolition of some existing structures. For years, the construction site was a constant presence, with steel beams rising into the sky and the sounds of riveting filling the air. This project reshaped the very landscape of Astoria, and the bridge officially opened to traffic in 1936.
Above the boulevard itself ran the tracks of the BMT’s elevated train line, known as the El. This was a primary mode of transportation for residents, providing a direct link to the jobs and attractions of Manhattan. The steel structure of the El cast moving shadows on the street below, and the regular rumble of trains was a constant soundtrack to daily life. Stations along the route were hubs of activity, with people coming and going for work and leisure.
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The area around Astoria Boulevard was a mix of residential blocks and local commerce. The housing consisted largely of two- and three-story brick and frame houses, many built in the preceding decades to accommodate working-class families. Small apartment buildings were also common. These streets were home to a diverse community of residents, including many Greek, Italian, and Irish immigrants and their American-born children.
Beneath the El tracks, the boulevard was lined with a variety of small businesses. These included grocery stores, bakeries, butcher shops, and hardware stores that served the daily needs of the local population. The presence of the Great Depression was felt here, with families stretching their budgets and shopping carefully at these neighborhood establishments.
The western end of the boulevard was anchored by Astoria Park. This large public space offered residents an escape from their urban environment. It contained public swimming pools, tennis courts, and walking paths, all set against the backdrop of the Hell Gate Bridge and the East River. The park was a center for community life, especially during the warmer months. As the decade ended, the entire borough turned its attention to the 1939 New York World’s Fair being built in nearby Flushing Meadows. The new Triborough Bridge and the roads like Astoria Boulevard were essential routes for the construction and, later, for the millions of visitors who would flock to the fair.
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