Frederick Victor
In the 1920s, Parsons Boulevard was a key north-south route in Queens, connecting the distinct neighborhoods of Flushing, Jamaica, and the communities in between. The decade was a period of rapid residential construction. Large tracts of farmland and old estates that lined the boulevard were sold to developers, who then built thousands of new homes. These were primarily single-family and two-family houses in styles like Tudor and Colonial Revival, designed to attract families seeking more space than was available in other boroughs.
The boulevard served as a main street for these emerging residential areas. While the major shopping was concentrated on Jamaica Avenue to the south and Main Street in Flushing to the north, small commercial strips began to appear along Parsons Boulevard itself. These clusters of one-story brick storefronts housed local businesses essential for daily life, including grocery stores, butcher shops, and pharmacies.
Public transportation was also expanding. Electric streetcar lines ran along parts of the boulevard, providing a vital link for residents. These trolleys connected the new homes to the major commercial hubs and to Long Island Rail Road stations, which offered access to Manhattan. The 1920s also saw the introduction and expansion of bus services, which began to supplement and eventually replace the trolley lines.
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The 1930s brought significant changes to the southern end of Parsons Boulevard. In 1937, the Independent Subway System (IND) opened a major station where the Queens Boulevard line terminated at Parsons Boulevard and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica. This was a transformative event. The new subway provided a direct and affordable connection to Midtown Manhattan, making the surrounding area vastly more attractive for development.
Following the subway’s arrival, the section of Parsons Boulevard near the new station saw a surge in construction. Larger, six-story apartment buildings began to rise, offering modern accommodations within walking distance of the train. The area became a busier commercial hub, serving the thousands of commuters who now used the station daily. Even with the economic pressures of the Great Depression, the arrival of the subway ensured that this part of Parsons Boulevard would continue to grow into a major neighborhood center.
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