Queens Neighborhoods

Little Neck Bay, October 1977 near the Cross Island..

Little Neck Bay, October 1977 near the Cross Island

Detail Little Neck Bay, October 1977 near the Cross Island

The Astorian Manor 25-22 Astoria Boulevard from 1984. Opened in the late 1950's, it had a bold pavilion style architecture. The interior had an almost space age appearance shown in this gallery. "The Finest in Catering" had many weddings and social functions. The owner had passed away in 1984 and the Astorian Manor was bankrupt by 2000. Reopened and remodeled in 2005, as the Astoria World Manor, with a round theatre style canopy entrance.

The Astorian Manor 25-22 Astoria Boulevard. Opened in the late 1950's, it had a bold pavilion style architecture. The interior had an almost space age appearance. I attended this wedding in Spring of 1984.

Another interior shot of the Astorian Manor showing that Star Trek atmosphere. Wedding from the Spring of 1984.

Across from The Astorian Manor 25-22 Astoria Boulevard, wedding party Spring of 1984.

Jamaica Avenue and 144 Place looking East, October 10, 2009.

Jamaica Avenue and 139th Street, October 10, 2009. Taken from the same place as this photo from 1943: http://www.wideimaging.com/gallery/4098634_DjqZW#473282573_eSksJ

You wouldn't know it today but Jamaica Avenue was once in the shadow of an elevated subway. This picture was taken on May 19, 1943 looking toward 145th Street, where I took photos of the Klingbeil Skate store in 2004. By the 1960's this area became much more run down, with the area to the right definetly the 'wrong side of the tracks'. Built in 1918 the elevated line was demolished in 1977. One of the few photos here I did not take, but fortunately have the negative of, as a study of contrasts.

Jamaica Ave. May 19, 1943 detail from: http://www.wideimaging.com/Queens/Queens-Neighborhoods/4098634_C9WGWb#!i=473282573&k=7bRV2xF

Detail of the South side of Jamaica Ave. and 139th Street 1943 from overview: http://www.wideimaging.com/gallery/4098634_DjqZW#473282573_eSksJ

89th Avenue and 139th Street comparison of 1943 to 2009, shows the Super 8 Motel was built on a Shell gas station.

Two views of 139th Street 66 years apart

1943 to 2009 both images are details from the 2 overview photos in this gallery, show the South West corner of 139th Street and Jamaica Ave. Remarkably 66 years later the corner store is still a grocer and adjacent still sells roofing tiles.

At this nondescript location on Jamaica Avenue the Klingbeil Shoe Lab made one the world's finest ice skates by hand since 1959, used by many Olympians. From October 10, 2009.

3 zoom levels of the Jamaica Ave.El by 139th St. May 19, 1943

3 zoom levels of Jamaica Avenue and 139th Street, October 10, 2009. Taken from the same place as this photo from 1943

View looking West on Jamaica Avenue and 145th Street, October 2004. The Klingbeil Shoe Lab on the corner has been at this location since 1959 when it was in the shadow of an elevated subway (dismantled in 1977).

At this nondescript location the Klingbeil Shoe Lab has been making one the world's finest ice skates, used by many olympians. From October 2004.

Face in a laundromat window, Jamaica Avenue and 145th Street, October 2004. Detail from: http://www.wideimaging.com/gallery/4098634_DjqZW#239808008_SNguA

The Klingbeil Skates, made in Jamaica Queens. Thank you Don!

The Klingbeil Shoe Lab skate boot racks, from October 2004.

The Klingbeil Shoe Lab, October 2004; waiting customers and the Klingbeil cat.

Ancient speed skate overlooks Jamacia Avenue in the Klingbeil Shoe Lab window, from October 2004.

The Klingbeil Shoe Lab work shop entrance, where the world class ice skates have been made since 1959 by a true master craftsman. From October 2004.

Detail shows just a few of the accolades earned over the years.

The Klingbeil shop, on Jamaica Ave. October 10, 2009. Don Klingbeil now carries on the tradition from his father.

The Bayside campus of Queensboro Community College after a January 1974 snow storm.

Bulletin board detail.

Summer of 1952 Kew Gardens 75th road near 153rd street. Siding now covers these cookie cutter buildings and the garage structures in the middle have been taken down, replaced with parking spaces.

Kew Gardens, October 2004 looking down 150th Street and 73rd Avenue. Houses on the West side still have their original brick face. Between Kissena Boulevard and Main Street there are 60 of these identical buildings.

Kew Gardens, October 2004, 150th Street and 73rd Avenue. Houses on the West side still have their original brick face. Between Kissena Boulevard and Main Street there are 60 of these identical buildings.

75th Avenue Kew Gardens, looking toward 153rd Street. June 29, 2007.

150-43 75th Avenue, Kew Gardens June 29, 2007.

150-43 75th Avenue, Kew Gardens. Rear courtyard, siding now covers many of these cookie cutter brick buildings.

Kew Gardens looking between 150th and 153rd street from 75th Avenue, October 2004. Siding now covers these cookie cutter buildings

Kew Gardens, 75th Road looking toward 150th Street, Summer 1952. The basketball courts are part of the Lander College for Men on the corner of 150th Street and 75th Road, once an empty lot. Except for the siding these are the same buildings. The top left shows a brick face building in the original courtyard style (West side of 150th Street).

74th Street, Jackson Heights subway platform looking East, July 8, 2006.

74th Street Subway mid platform exit on the No. 7, November 2008

No. 7 elevated subway stop, November 11, 2008.

View from Willets Point Station looking toward Flushing and "Sky View Parc" under construction, November 11, 2008

Eddie's Sweet Shop on Metropolitan Ave. and 72nd rd in Forest Hills. A truly authentic egg cream soda shop, July 4th 2009.

Eddie's Sweet Shop on Metropolitan Ave. and 72nd rd in Forest Hills. A truly authentic egg cream soda shop, July 4th 2009.