Dennis Saul
In the 1930s, Jamaica, Queens was a neighborhood of contrasts and constant motion, shaped by new waves of people and the economic realities of the Great Depression. Its main artery, Jamaica Avenue, pulsed with activity, serving as the commercial heart for a growing population. Horse-drawn wagons still shared the streets with automobiles, and the elevated train rumbled above the bustling sidewalks.
Transportation was a defining feature of the decade. The Long Island Rail Road had long made Jamaica a central hub. In 1936, the underground subway reached the neighborhood with the opening of the IND Queens Boulevard Line, connecting residents directly to Manhattan for a nickel. This new line joined the existing BMT Jamaica Line, streetcars, and an extensive bus network, making Jamaica one of the best-connected areas in the borough.
Jamaica Avenue was the primary shopping district. In 1930, a new type of store opened its doors at 171-06 Jamaica Avenue in a leased garage. This was the first King Kullen, recognized as the world’s first supermarket. Its founder, Michael J. Cullen, advertised it as the “World’s Greatest Price Wrecker,” a concept that resonated with families struggling through the Depression. The store offered a wide variety of goods under one roof with a focus on low prices and self-service, a novel idea at the time.
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Nearby, another landmark defined the local culture. The Loew’s Valencia Theatre on Jamaica Avenue, opened in 1929, was one of New York City’s five “Wonder Theatres.” Its design was a lavish escape, with an auditorium crafted to look like a Spanish garden under a ceiling of twinkling stars. For a quarter, people could watch a full-length feature film, live vaudeville acts, and organ recitals on its mighty Robert-Morton theater organ. For many, this grand movie palace offered a regular and affordable break from daily hardships. Another notable building was the J. Kurtz & Sons furniture store, an impressive example of Art Deco architecture built in 1931, with a modern design intended to catch the eye of passengers on the elevated train.
Housing in the area varied greatly. Neighborhoods like Jamaica Hills saw the construction of detached Tudor Revival homes and bungalows, as well as Colonial Revival rowhouses. These areas attracted families looking for more space than could be found in Manhattan or Brooklyn. In contrast, South Jamaica was characterized by older, wooden frame houses. Many of these residences lacked modern utilities like electricity and indoor plumbing. This part of the neighborhood was home to a growing African American population.
The decade saw the community continue to grow and change. Jamaica High School, a large Georgian Revival style building that opened in the late 1920s, served the area’s expanding number of families. The student body was a mix of native-born New Yorkers and the children of recent immigrants. Daily life for young people often revolved around their local streets, which served as playgrounds.
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