Old Elmhurst, New York

Elmhurst Library

2010-10-16T20:59:00.003-04:00

I hear demolition is just around the corner

NYT: Seeking Protection for a Library With a Fabled Past

Queens Boulevard

2010-10-09T14:07:00.003-04:00

Another Ebay score! Looking across Queens Boulevard down Broadway.
Newtown HS visible in background

Newtown Theatre 1948

2010-10-09T13:56:00.003-04:00

Newtown Theatre at Cinema Treasures

Elmhurst LIRR Station

2009-10-21T21:26:00.005-04:00

or "stuff I found on Ebay"
The first 2 are from the mid 1920's from the Hampton/91st Place Bridge. The last from 1952 looking East on the Port Washington Line. The corner of Macnish can be seen in the lower left corner.

Courtesy of the Stidolph family

2009-05-02T18:11:00.003-04:00

Long time residents of Elmhurst, they are sharing this shot of Newtown H.S. with the 1939 World's Fair visible in the background.
1939 World's Fair

McDowells

2009-05-01T12:55:00.005-04:00

Reading this news item brought back memories of this movie and how they shut down Wendy's for a few months. Can anyone name any other movies filmed in Elmhurst?

Answers!

2009-04-03T12:40:00.005-04:00

About a year ago someone asked about Ketcham and Layton Streets and if they ever passed through Vietor Avenue before all the apartment buildings were built. Well after a year of looking and getting a very nice 1893 ward map off of Ebay I can say...... NO
It looks like both sides of Vietor ave were sold as small lots before Cord Meyer came in and laid out Layton, Ketcham and Judge etc. (originally First Street, Second Street, Third Street). The rectangle formed by Broadway, Elmhurst Ave, Judge Street and Whitney Avenue was a single parcel of land with the Samuel Lord Estate on it, and was aquired later. This let Cord Meyer continue his Diagonal grid.

The Lord Estate from the NYPL Digital Archive.

Just search "Elmhurst"

Questions!

2009-04-03T12:31:00.003-04:00

So someone reading this site (other than my family) asks if anyone can remember the name of the diner on Queens Boulevard at the North East corner of its intersection with Van Loon Street. I should remember it because I ate there a few times before it became Harbor City, but the name escapes me. Does anyone recall?

Bad News :-(

2008-12-03T20:47:00.003-05:00

The 110th Precinct doesn't get a new stationhouse.

The eternal struggle for parking on 43rd Avenue continues.

Still around

2008-08-25T17:32:00.002-04:00

Found this aerial shot online.

Horse Brook

2008-03-24T17:57:00.002-04:00

www.forgotten-ny.com has a new entry on the Horse Brook that used to run through Elmhurst. Check it out:

Our Mister Brook

While your there don't forget to visit his Elmhurst page.

Have you been to Elmhurst

Sunday walk

2008-03-23T22:29:00.003-04:00

A bamboo grove in a backyard.

Wikipedia:

Bamboo is a group of woody perennial evergreen plants in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Some of its members are giant bamboo, forming by far the largest members of the grass family. Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world. Their accelerated growth rate (up to 3-4 feet/day (1.5-2.0 inches/hr)) is due to a unique rhizome system and is dependent on local soil and climate conditions.

They are of economic and high cultural significance in East Asia and South East Asia where they are used extensively in gardens, as a building material as well as a food source. In Filipino, they are known as kawayan, in Chinese as zhu (Chinese: 竹; pinyin: zhú), in Japanese as take (Kanji: 竹; Hiragana: たけ, take?), in Korean as dae (대) or daenamu (대나무), in Vietnamese as Tre /tʃe/, and in Indonesian as bambu[1].

There are 91 genera and about 1,000 species of bamboo. They are found in diverse climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. They occur across East Asia, from 50°N latitude in Sakhalin through to northern Australia, and west to India and the Himalaya.[2] They also occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Americas from the southeast of the United States[3] south to Argentina and Chile, there reaching their furthest south anywhere, at 47°S latitude. Major areas with no native bamboos include Europe, north Africa, western Asia, Canada, most of Australia, and Antarctica.[4]

Wonder how this is doing

2008-03-23T11:31:00.001-04:00

Elmhurst Next Stop For LIRR?

Gotham Center for NYC history

2008-03-21T14:06:00.003-04:00

They have a website
Gotham Center for New York City history

and a fairly active forum. Check out the "Elmhurst" topic.

Elmhurst Memories

Some interesting tidbits if you don't mind wading through 27 pages of postings.

WWF / Ebay

2008-03-18T09:29:00.002-04:00

Another Ebay find. No year listed, but perhaps someone more familiar with wrestling can hazard a guess. I do know that the roller rink at 77-00 Queens Blvd became L'amour East around 1982.

I remember when this death occured.

Queens Blvd was once a hotbed of wrestling with the Sunnyside Gardens and Elk's Club hosting events. Granted tastes change, but now I can't think of one commercial venue for a live event in Elmhurst.

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-03-17T10:08:00.004-04:00

This came up on Ebay:

"This is a fireman's exempt badge from Newtown, Long Island, New York. Newtown was a town in Queens County, NY before Queens became a part of NYC in 1898. Newtown was renamed Elmhurst in 1896. Exempt was frequently part of the title of volunteer fire companies in this area because the firemen were exempt from jury duty and possibly other things. The badge is embossed metal with a laurel leaf motif. It measures approximately 2 1/2" by 1 5/8". It probably originally had a golden finish, but just a trace of the gilding remains. It reads "Town of Newtown,L.I. Exempt" and the original threaded pin nut reads: "C. G. Braxmar Co. 10 Maiden Lane NY". The company still is in business today at another address!"

It went for $142.57

I believe this was worn on their hats.

Dongan Avenue

2008-02-25T20:34:00.005-05:00

Two aerial views show Dongan Avenue North of Broadway today. The top photo looks eastward across the LIRR tracks - 86-25 is the red building on the left. The second photo looks north across Broadway with 86-25 partially hidden. You can see the last wood frame Claremont Terrace home and the commercial block built on its front lawn.

Now does anyone remember the futuristic looking house that used to sit at the end of Dongan Avenue? It was torn down in the 70's I believe. Better yet does anyone have a photo?

Dongan Avenue

2008-02-25T20:31:00.003-05:00

From the September 1938 issue of the Architectural Record comes this lovely shot of 86-25 Dongan Avenue.

A beautiful spot at Elmhurst L.I.

2008-02-25T19:42:00.004-05:00

This card is postmarked July 31, 1914. I have no idea where in Elmhurst this fountain was located. I know there was a "temperance" fountain on Broadway & Queens blvd, but this can't be it. Any suggestions welcomed

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:11:00.004-05:00

ELM231
Looking N/E along South Railroad Avenue towards Broadway around 1929.
Does anyone remember the Angler Deli?
All the small photos with Queenspix.com in the title are available as sharply detailed 8x10's on that site. Just go to the Elmhurst section and match the elmxxx number.

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:08:00.003-05:00

ELM371
Looking S/W on Whitney Avenue from Broadway towards 83 street 1929.
Knickerbocker Ice and Coal in the background.

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:07:00.001-05:00

ELM096
Looking S/W on Whitney Avenue from Broadway towards 83 street 1929.
The bank has become a newstand at some point

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:05:00.001-05:00

ELM274
N/E corner of Broadway and Whitney Avenue 1929

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:03:00.001-05:00

ELM369
Looking up Whitney Avenue from Broadway 1929.
Anyone remember Dandy's Pizzaria?

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T16:02:00.002-05:00

ELM118
Looking N/E up Whitney Avenue across the intersection of Broadway 1929.
There is a restaurant where the bank building was. It is in a one-story building that was originally built as a post office.

LIRR / Elmhurst / Queenspix.com

2008-02-17T15:59:00.004-05:00

ELM370
Looking S/W down Whitney Avenue from Ketcham street.
The building on the right is still there although the front has been
changed to add commercial tenants on the first floor.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:50:00.004-05:00

1970
Looking S/W on Whitney Avenue from Macnish street.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:49:00.003-05:00

Photo from Vincent F. Seyfried's Elmhurst

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:48:00.005-05:00

A closer look at the bank building. This block survived into the early 60's with Rosen's hardware as one of its tenants (He later moved farther up Broadway near the phone building) The early 70s saw the whole block replaced by a parking lot and post office annex. The post office building is now Pho Bang restaurant.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:47:00.001-05:00

Another view looking S/W down Whitney (Kingsland) Avenue into the intersection with Broadway.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:45:00.003-05:00

A closer look at the railroad gates. This sort of crossing is called "at grade" meaning street level. The tracks were raised to their present state around 1929. Elmhurst lasted as a stop on the Port Washington line until Jan 1, 1985.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:42:00.004-05:00

Looking at the N/E corner of Broadway and Whitney Avenue. Claremont Terrace is in the background. That large mass of trees is in the front yards of 4 stately homes which I will cover another day. The Westernmost one actually survived until 2007 buried behind a row of buildings built in front of it.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:40:00.001-05:00

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:38:00.002-05:00

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:37:00.002-05:00

The pride of my postcard collection. I had to battle Elmhurst collectors AND railroad buffs to get this one.

LIRR / Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:36:00.002-05:00

Forgotten-NY.com has a nice page on the
Port Washington Branch

The Long Island Railroad in Elmhurst

2008-02-17T15:33:00.002-05:00

Elmhurst Long Island Railroad station before the grade crossing elimination of 1929. This fine brick station opened in December 1888 as a replacement for an older wooden building and was demolished in 1927. - Vincent Seyfried Elmhurst

Mayor of Elmhurst?

2008-02-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

I usually try to put together a new post each Sunday, but THE GIANTS ARE IN THE SUPERBOWL. As a filler I have posted my collection of news clippings on Oswald Gomez. If you have been to any parade in the city you have seen him and his pets and if you have ever walked down Elmhurst Avenue you have seen him. If I was a writer I would wax eloquently about how as the population of Elmhurst climbs, the number of "characters" seems to diminish, but the kick-off is approaching so good day to you all.

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-28T19:18:00.001-05:00

Steam pumper of the Wandowenock Engine Company #1 in front of its house on the West side of Broadway opposite Justice Avenue about 1910. All the local volunteer companies went out of business in 1913 and were replaced by a paid city fire department.

Elmhurst: from town seat to mega-suburb - Vincent J. Seyfried

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-28T17:20:00.001-05:00

Wandowenock charter I missed on Ebay

FDNY / Elmhurst Eagles

2008-01-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

Let us not forget the "Elmhurst Eagles" of Engine 287 and Ladder 136. They reside at 86-53 Grand Avenue and are Elmhurst's first responders

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-28T16:54:00.000-05:00

The Wandownock Volunteer Fire Company began in 1843, composed of men from land owning families; only in the 1880s did German and Irish names appear on it's roster.

The Future of us all by Roger Sanjek

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

Two photos from the Hansen family tree page.
The sign on the wagon reads 'Hook and Ladder made by hand in Newtown in 1854 by a Newtown man out of hickory grown in Newtown - was run to fires in Newtown for fifty years'

Hansen family

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-21T09:56:00.001-05:00

queenspix.com

Excempt Firemen's Building December 31, 1929 #Elm084

Shot available from Queenspix showing a wider view than the postcard

the site today

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-21T09:40:00.001-05:00

86-22 Broadway
Volunteer fire company Engine 1 established 09/01/1843
Ladder one established in 1890
Both replaced by paid FDNY units on 09/01/1913

FDNY / Wandowenock

2008-01-21T09:30:00.001-05:00

Photo is of a weather vane that was on top of a fire house in Newtown L.I. (which is now Elmhurst) for almost 100 years. The Museum at the Firemen's Home in Hudson has just received this for their collection. Shown is Sam Kilmer, native of Hudson, putting the finishing touches on the weather vane. - Albany Times Union

Firefighting Museum

So I open the Daily News today......

2008-01-18T20:09:00.000-05:00

If Corona and Flushing had a baby (and you added a dash of Sunnyside), it would be Elmhurst.
Bizarre article follows.

As the kids say, WTF?

Interesting comments over at Queenscrap.com

Page 18

2008-01-12T17:08:00.001-05:00

Page 17 / Sole survivor

2008-01-12T17:07:00.000-05:00

Out of all the buildings in the Cord Meyer booklet only one survives! Hampton Street and 43 Avenue. That might not be the case for long as I have seen the property for sale for 1.8 million. The lot it sits on is quite large so I don't think anyone will be buying it to restore.

Current photo: Ted Chang
Street shot: Vincent Seyfried's "Elmhurst from town seat to mega suburb"

Page 16

2008-01-12T17:05:00.001-05:00

Page 15

2008-01-12T17:04:00.001-05:00

Page 14

2008-01-12T17:02:00.000-05:00

Page 13

2008-01-12T17:01:00.001-05:00

Vietor Avenue again.

Page 12

2008-01-12T17:00:00.001-05:00

Page 11

2008-01-12T16:59:00.000-05:00

Elmhurst Memorial Hall?

2008-01-07T12:36:00.000-05:00

The home of Elmhurst Post, No. 298 (American Legion) is a memorial building, erected in 1926 by the Elmhurst Memorial League, Inc., through voluntary contributions to honor the residents of Elmhurst who served their country in the World War.

-excerpt from History of Elmhurst Post 298 American Legion 1919-1933

Recent photo by Ted Chang

Newtown Civic Association

2008-01-07T11:56:00.000-05:00

PUBLIC MEETING

January 28, 2008
8pm

Elmhurst Memorial Hall
88-24 43rd Avenue
Elmhurst, NY

I'm not sure if I'll make it, but the meetings are a good place
to network with others interested in the welfare and future of
Elmhurst.

Page 10

2008-01-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

Page 9

2008-01-06T21:24:00.001-05:00

I know from a labelled postcard and from cross referencing with queenspix.com that this is probably the South West corner of Vietor Avenue where it meets Judge street (then 3rd street)

Page 8

2008-01-06T21:23:00.001-05:00

Page 7

2008-01-06T21:22:00.001-05:00

Page 6

2008-01-06T11:30:00.001-05:00

Page 5

2008-01-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

Page 4

2008-01-06T11:27:00.001-05:00

Page 3

2008-01-06T11:26:00.001-05:00

Page 2

2008-01-04T18:58:00.000-05:00

Here is page two.

Here it comes!

2008-01-04T18:55:00.001-05:00

You have seen the cover, now here are page 1 and 2. Compare this sales pitch to what brought you to Elmhurst.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T10:35:00.001-05:00

This is the front and rear cover of a Cord Meyer booklet extolling the virtues of Elmhurst. I will be posting the rest in 2008, but wanted one final post in 2007.

More cops for Elmhurst!

2007-12-27T20:17:00.000-05:00

The NYPD is sending 1,800 rookies to patrol high-crime pockets that have resisted the overall crime drop, officials said Wednesday as they announced the city is poised to have the fewest murders in 44 years.

One third of the officers - some 600 cops - will be deployed in hot spots in six Brooklyn precincts starting tomorrow.

The remaining 1,200 cops will be distributed in nine high-crime zones in the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan in an attempt to give all sections of the city a similar decline in crime.

Full article from the Daily News

To stay on theme: The 110th Precinct has been on 43rd Avenue since 1940. Prior to that they shared space in a town hall/court house that stood on Broadway and Justice avenue (where the traffic island is now). It is pictured on the cover of the book below.

Ebay alert

2007-12-25T20:40:00.001-05:00

A copy of Vincent F.Seyfried's book is up for sale on Ebay

Elmhurst: from town seat to mega suburb

Although I shouldn't be encouraging anyone to take up a new hobby with all the Holiday bills rolling in, the seller - "Bob S." deals exclusively in NYC postcards, so check out his other auctions. There are two other books in the "Queens Community series" Corona and Flushing. Both are great reading, but not as hard to find as the Elmhurst volume.

Queenspix.com

2007-12-24T13:06:00.001-05:00

From 1929-33 the subway came to Elmhurst. The city used a cut and cover technique to dig a tunnel down Broadway. This destroyed many colonial era buildings that still stood along the route. Why do I mention this? Well,the city took a series of survey photos of the area before work began and copies are for sale at Queenspix.com. Here is a selection of the Moore/Perry estate. I have found the service from Queenspix fast and professional and he can even crop and zoom into certain scenes to bring out hidden details of locations.

Merry Christmas part 2

2007-12-24T12:55:00.000-05:00

Why all the cutting and pasting? Just a little background for the scans of the postcards of the Moore Homestead which stood in the park (roughly opposite the phone building) until 1933.

Clement Clarke Moore / Moore Homestead Park

2007-12-24T12:43:00.000-05:00

Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) was the great-great-great grandson of Reverend Moore. Born in New York City, Clement spent much of his boyhood and youth at the family estate in Newtown. He was tutored at home by his father and graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in 1798, an M.A. in 1801, and an honorary LL.D.

Moore is best known as the inspired author of the delightful children’s poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas." He composed the poem for his wife Catherine Elizabeth Taylor Moore and their children in 1822. A family friend had the poem published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel the following year. With subsequent publication in newspapers, magazines, and illustrated editions, the poem became a classic popularly known as "The Night before Christmas." Moore died in Newport, Rhode Island in 1863.

Around the turn of the century, most of the Moore estate was divided into building lots and sold at auction. The site of the homestead, however, remained in the family until the Board of Transportation acquired it during the construction of the Independent Subway in 1930. The buildings were razed in 1933. Soon after Parks acquired this property from Transportation in 1954, plans were drawn up for a new playground, with play equipment and athletic facilities for children.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T12:35:00.000-05:00

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Elmhurst: a nice place to live

2007-12-23T17:00:00.001-05:00

This ad comes from a Cord Meyer pamphlet I picked up on Ebay of all places. It is probably from around 1910. I think we have lost the "uncrowded" and "well ventilated" selling points, but the R,F and 7 still get us into Manhattan pretty quickly even if the LIRR has given up on us.

Public School 89

2007-12-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

Here is another Elmhurst landmark PS 89.
This postcard is dated Jan 9, 1917, but could easily pass for a photo from the early 70's before the mini-school was built. I understand there are 3 schools in the building now - which seems like a scheme to pay three captains to steer the same ship, but that is a discussion for a different sort of blog :)
Current photo

Newtown High School Aerial view

2007-12-17T13:52:00.001-05:00

Newtown was built around 1900 and the tower, along with the auditorium was added around 1920. The majority of the postcards fall in between these two dates. There were two more additions in 1931 and 1956-58. I assume the 56/58 addition is the part with the cafeteria on the 50th Avenue side of the building. It is anybody's guess how much of, if any of the original building survives today.

Newtown High School mega post part 2

2007-12-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

Newtown High School mega post

2007-12-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

Queens Crap mentioned the site!
http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2007/12/old-elmhurst.html
So in honor of that I'm posting my collection of Newtown High School postcards.
Postcards were a big deal from roughly 1898 to 1940. Mail was actually delivered TWICE a day. The public's desire for "real photo postcards(rppc)" led to a market that produced many interesting views of Elmhurst.

For more on the history of postcards try -

http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/historyofpostcards.htm

Newtown High School Postcard 1

2007-12-03T23:14:00.001-05:00

This is a test

2007-11-30T21:03:00.000-05:00

Lion dancing in Elmhurst. Justice Avenue to be exact.
I just wanted to see how inserting videos worked.
I guess I can hit the street with my video camera now.

Looks like I'm not the only one interested in the Durkee plant

2007-11-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

An Elmhurst/Corona blog has posted a story about the school being built.
As they say - more to follow....

http://junctionblvd.blogspot.com/2007/11/potentially-toxic-site-continue-to-go.html

Durkee

2007-11-26T22:58:00.000-05:00

A washed out shot from 11/25/05 showing the front entrance.

Durkee today

2007-11-26T22:38:00.000-05:00

More shots from 11/25/07

Railroad Siding

2007-11-26T20:21:00.001-05:00

The factory had it's own siding off the Port Washington branch of the LIRR. Hampton street bridge in distance

Durkee

2007-11-26T20:18:00.000-05:00

The virtues of the building

2007-11-26T19:58:00.000-05:00

More Durkee

2007-11-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

Built in 1917 and opened in October of that year.

Newtown High School

2007-11-26T15:14:00.000-05:00

I'm posting this for free hosting, but don't worry I'll post my photos of Newtown with and without it's tower in the coming weeks.

Solar power

2007-11-26T15:04:00.000-05:00

While it has nothing to do with Elmhurst's past, I'm posting this photo of a solar power system a homeowner has set up on 92 street near the mall because do-it-yourself projects have always fascinated me.

Two links to "Queens Crap" from Elmhurst

2007-11-25T22:51:00.000-05:00

http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2007/11/olde-elmhurst.html
Shows two grand old homes

and

http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2007/11/elmhurst-dream-home.html
Shows what is often built to replace them.

The more things change......

2007-11-25T17:44:00.000-05:00

Mustard warms Elmhurst

Wealthy residents rise in protest against a factory in their midst.

Wealthy residents of the Elmhurst section of Queens have risen in protest against the location of a mustard and spice factory of the Durkee Company on Corona Avenue and Card Place, in the very midst of their homes. The proposed site is almost bounded by property belonging to St.Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church, St. Jame's Episcopal Church, the Elmhurst Methodist Church and the Newtown Dutch Reformed Church. Within a stone's throw are homes of well-known members of the theatrical profession. All the property was originally sold under restriction.
With the information that the Cord Meyer Company had sold the property to the Durkee Company came the statement that the factory would be surrounded by lawns and flower beds, and it would be an ornament to the community. But this did not satisfy the residents, and last evening William Boyes announced that he had been engaged as counsel by several of them to oppose in court the establishment of the factory.

Published in the New York Times March 16, 1917

Two subjects I will touch upon as this blog grows are:

1. Cord Meyer - the developer of Elmhurst
2. at the turn of the century Elmhurst was a wealthy neighborhood, with large homes lining Whitney avenue. Most were plowed under to meet the post World War One housing boom.

Durkee aerial photo

2007-11-25T17:12:00.000-05:00

This is a few years old because the K of C is still standing on 43 avenue.

Durkee today

2007-11-25T16:30:00.001-05:00

The site as it looks today. A high school is in the works.

There is a thriving market for old Durkee containers on Ebay, check your pantry.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=durkee&category0=

and Durkee today

http://www.durkee.com/

Scan of a Durkee factory postcard

2007-11-25T16:24:00.000-05:00

Printed by the Commercial Art Post Card Co. Brooklyn, NY #311 in a series

E.R. Durkee & Co.

2007-11-25T16:18:00.000-05:00

45-10 94th Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373
I had been thinking of starting a blog for quite some time as a way of sharing some of the Elmhurst postcards I have been collecting over the years. Today as I was crossing the Hampton Hill bridge I noticed that the Durkee factory was being gutted, so I decided to walk over and take a few photos thinking the building was not long for this world. The sign pictured tells a different tale, but it was enough to finally get me in gear.

Welcome

2007-11-25T14:55:00.000-05:00

I have created this blog to share my photos of Elmhurst's past