Henry Parker
In the 1920s, Sutphin Boulevard was a vital and rapidly modernizing street in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. It served as a critical axis of transportation and business, benefiting directly from the borough’s explosive population growth. The street was a scene of constant activity, defined by the construction of new, multi-story buildings that replaced older wooden structures.
The most significant landmark on the boulevard was the Long Island Rail Road’s Jamaica station. This major transportation hub, with its complex network of tracks and platforms, made Sutphin Boulevard a gateway for tens of thousands of commuters and travelers daily. The station connected Jamaica to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all of Long Island, funneling a steady stream of people onto the boulevard and into the surrounding commercial district. The presence of the railroad spurred immense development along the street.
The decade saw Sutphin Boulevard establish itself as a civic and financial center. In 1929, the new Jamaica Chamber of Commerce building opened its doors at 89-31 161st Street, just off Sutphin Boulevard. This impressive structure signaled the area’s economic importance and provided a central point for local business leaders. Banks and professional offices, catering to the growing commercial and residential population, began to line the boulevard. These new buildings often featured brick and stone facades, representing a more permanent and prosperous vision for the neighborhood.
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Just a short walk from the LIRR station, the Queens General Court House stood on Sutphin Boulevard, making it a center for legal and governmental affairs in the borough. Lawyers, clerks, and citizens involved in court proceedings were a regular part of the daily traffic on the boulevard’s sidewalks.
While Jamaica Avenue was the primary retail strip, Sutphin Boulevard developed its own distinct commercial character. It was less about department stores and more focused on transportation-related services, business offices, and civic functions. The street was wide and busy, accommodating automobiles, which were becoming increasingly common, alongside electric streetcars that connected to other parts of Queens.
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