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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2020 15
In conjunction with the
Greater Astoria Historical
Society, TimesLedger Newspapers
presents noteworthy
events in the borough’s
history.
More than a century ago,
Queens was a patchwork of
villages and small towns. Today,
our population is over 2
million. In 1880, the population
of Queens was less than
57,000 with open fields and
farms. In the neighborhood of
Flushing, which was known
for its fruit tree and plant
nurseries, gardening was a
popular recreation throughout
the county.
In the Queens of 1880,
there were as yet no subways
or bridges, and ferries were
the usual method of crossing
from Queens to Manhattan
or vice versa. The 34th Street
ferry operated across the
East River between Borden
Avenue, Long Island City,
and 34th Street, Manhattan,
and the 92nd Street ferry ran
from today’s Astoria Boulevard
to 92nd Street across
the river.
The more adventurous
might think about taking
a sail through Hell Gate,
where the United States government
back in the 1870s
started blowing up the rocks
that had made that part of
the East River such a danger
to shipping since colonial
days. In 1780, the British frigate
Hussar wrecked in the
Hell Gate, going down with
all hands while only 50 yards
away from Randall’s Island.
Her cargo of five million dollars
in gold remains lost to
this day. In the 1880s, there
were still periodic attempts
to salvage the gold from the
Hussar.
To cater for the needs of
treasure hunters or sightseers,
an enterprising local
resident, Mr. George Moeller,
opened a tearoom on the river’s
edge. Moeller advertised
in the Star-Journal that he
“will be pleased to see plenty
of visitors at his Hell Gate cottage,
on Front Street (today
First Street), Astoria, opposite
the Government Works
on Flood Rock. Persons arriving
by boat can land with
ease and safety and on shore,
every accommodation for
sailor or landsman. The Hell
Gate Works are well worth an
inspection.” Flood Rock itself
would be the final obstruction
cleared from the East River
and demolished in 1885.
Picnics were a popular
form of entertainment in
1880. Schuetzen Park in
Astoria, at Broadway and
Steinway Avenue (today’s
Steinway Street), was advertised
as the “largest and most
beautiful” picnic grounds in
Queens, “within fifteen minutes’
reach from the 34th and
92nd St Ferries.” Shooting
grounds, theatrical performances
and ballrooms were
added attractions.
Dancing was another popular
recreation in the Queens
of the 19th century: the Star-
Journal reporting “May Day
was duly celebrated at Koch’s
Broadway Hall, Astoria, by
the owner of that well-known
hall, who gave his annual
invitation soiree. The rooms
were crowded, and the order
of dance, consisting of twenty
eight items, was completed
at half-past five in the morning,
and the strains of ‘Home
Sweet Home’ answered the
rooster’s crow from the adjacent
farms.”
For further info, call the
Greater Astoria Historical
Society at 718-278-0700 or
www.astorialic.org.
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LAST WEEK’S TOP STORY:
Queens native opens borough’s first Philly Pretzel
Factory in Forest Hills
SUMMARY: Jose Villa and his wife, Nancy, a public elementary
school teacher, decided to open the family-based business at 118-14
Queens Blvd., serving a traditional Bavarian pretzel found in Europe
and Germany. The pretzels are baked fresh daily and serve as
a fairly healthy snack, Villa said.
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