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Queens in the 1930s: A Photographic Tour of the Borough’s Neighborhoods During the Great Depression

Step back in time to the 1930s, and you’ll find Queens, New York, a borough during transformation.  The roaring twenties had faded, and the Great Depression cast a long shadow, but Queens held onto its unique spirit.

Families spilled out of crowded Manhattan, seeking space and fresh air in the borough’s expanding neighborhoods.  Apartment buildings and rows of houses sprung up, changing the landscape from farmland to residential havens.  This growth wasn’t always smooth. The Depression hit Queens hard, leaving many without jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

Immigrants from all over the world – Italians, Irish, Germans, Greeks, and many more – called Queens home.  Each group brought its own traditions, languages, and flavors, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures.  Walking down the street, you might hear Italian, Yiddish, or Greek being spoken, and the aroma of different cuisines would fill the air.

Places to See and Be Seen

Despite the hardships of the Depression, Queens residents still found ways to enjoy themselves.  The 1930s saw the rise of several iconic landmarks that offered entertainment and escape.  The Aqueduct Racetrack, opened in 1894, continued to draw crowds with the thrill of horse racing.  Families flocked to the newly opened World’s Fair in 1939, marveling at futuristic exhibits and enjoying a glimpse into the world of tomorrow.  For a taste of the big city, a quick subway ride could take you to Manhattan’s theaters, jazz clubs, and bustling streets.

The diverse communities of Queens meant a smorgasbord of culinary delights.  Italian immigrants brought their love of pasta and pizza, opening family-run restaurants that served up delicious homemade dishes.  Jewish delis offered hearty pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup, while Greek tavernas tempted with souvlaki and baklava.  No matter your taste, you could find something to satisfy your cravings in Queens.

Life in the Borough

Daily life in Queens during the 1930s was a mix of challenges and simple pleasures.  Many families faced economic hardship, but they also found joy in the close-knit communities they built.  Children played stickball in the streets and jumped rope on sidewalks.  Neighbors gathered on stoops to chat and share news.  Life was far from easy, but the people of Queens faced it with a sense of determination and hope.

#2 The 1939 World’s Fair Constitution Mall pond with statues and the Trylon and Perisphere in the background, 1939.

#38 The southwest corner of 81st Street and 34th Avenue, 1930s.

#54 122nd Street between 13th and 14th Streets, 1930s.

#100 Bowne Street and Friends Meeting, 37th Avenue, 1930s.

#112 College Point – 14th Avenue – Chisholm Point, 1930s.

#177 70th Street and Juniper Valley Road, Queens, 1930s.

#178 71st Street and Ditmars Boulevard, Queens, 1930s.

#180 Far Rockaway Bouleva and Mott Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#181 Roosevelt Avenue and St. George Road, Queens, 1930s.

#182 Railroads exhibit at the New York World’s Fair, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 1930s.

#184 Union Turnpike and Grand Central Parkway, Queens, 1930s.

#185 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#186 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#187 The World Fiesta, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#188 Grand Central Parkway and Alpine Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#189 Grand Central Parkway and Alpine Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#190 New York World’s Fair grounds, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 1939.

#191 New York World’s Fair grounds, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 1939.

#192 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#193 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#194 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#195 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#196 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#197 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#198 American Telephone and Telegraph Company Exhibit, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#199 Maritime Agency building, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#200 General Motors Corporation building, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#201 Industrial exhibits, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#202 Industrial exhibits, Communications Building, National Cash Register Company, and United States Steel Corporation, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#203 The New England corner at Lawrence and Rodman Streets, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#204 Buildings of foreign governments, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#205 Buildings of foreign governments, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#206 Czechoslovakian Pavilion, Romanian House, and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Pavilion, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#207 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Pavilion, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#208 Perisphere and Trylon symbolizing American Democracy, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#209 Grand Central Parkway and Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#211 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#212 Perisphere and Trylon symbolizing American Democracy, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#213 General Motors Corporation, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#214 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#215 New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#216 Brazil Building, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#217 Brazil Building, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#218 Brazil Building, New York World’s Fair of 1939-40, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.

#219 Furmanville Avenue and 83rd Street, Queens, 1930s.

#222 Grand Central Parkway and 74th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#223 Grand Central Parkway and 77th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#224 Grand Central Parkway and 77th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#225 Grand Central Parkway and 85th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#226 Greenpoint Avenue and Van Dam Street, Queens, 1930s.

#227 Greenpoint Avenue and Bradley Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#228 Greenpoint Avenue and Hunters Point Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#229 Greenpoint Avenue and 37th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#230 Hillside Avenue and 161st Street, Queens, 1930s.

#231 Hillside Avenue and 162nd Street, Queens, 1930s.

#232 Hillside Avenue and 165th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#233 Hillside Avenue and 168th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#234 Hillside Avenue and 172nd Street, Queens, 1930s.

#235 Hillside Avenue and 219th Street, Queens, 1930s.

#236 Himrod Street and Grandview Avenue, Queens, 1931.

#240 Horace Harding Boule and Kissena Boulevard, Queens, 1930s.

#241 Ithaca Street and Whitney Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#243 Jackson Avenue and Thomson Avenue, Queens, 1938.

#244 Jackson Avenue and Thomson Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#247 Jackson Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, Queens, 1938.

#248 Jackson Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, Queens, 1938.

#251 Jackson Avenue and Pearson Street, Queens, 1930s.

#257 Jamaica Avenue and Metropolitan Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#263 Queens Boulevard and 62nd Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#264 Queens Boulevard and 86th Avenue, Queens, 1930s.

#266 An aerial view of the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 1939.

#267 Constitution Mall with the Perisphere and Trylon Tower obelisk, New York World’s Fair, 1939.

#268 An Allis-Chalmers tractor clearing land for construction, Queens, 1930s.

Written by Frederick Victor

I've been a history writer for a while. I love to explore historical sites because they connect us to our past. They make us feel like we are part of something much bigger.

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