I grew up in Elmhurst, originally Newtown, one of the original 5 towns of Queens county. The major difference between Newtown and Jamaica was that the old Jamaica road tied the village to the New York ferry’s in Brooklyn making it somewhat easier for farmers and later commuters to access Manhattan and that’s why Jamaica is able to grow faster than Newtown . This fact is what enables Newtown to remain a rural farming village all the way into the late 1800’s. It isn’t until Cord Meyer comes along around 1890 that Newtown loses its rural nature and becomes more like Jamaica, a suburb of Manhattan.
Jamaica Queens is changing A LOT, there are a lot Middle class, upper middle class neighborhoods . . Like Saint Albans, Cambria Heights, Rosedale, Laurelton, Rochdale Village, Jamaica Estate( which is an upper middle class/ wealthy neighborhood, very nice) and many others. It is still mostly African American, and a lot of Caribbean people but a lot of new faces are moving there now . Jamaica is changing a lot in many ways , cost of living might go up in the years to come, which I hope not.
No one ever mentions the cemetery on the corner of Liberty Avenue and Guy Brewer Blvd (New York Blvd) south side. That whole corner. Part of it now is a parking lot. The other you'll find some trees. They are still there. I wonder if they moved the bodies from under the lot. I remember my mom and I when I was very young walking to Jamaica Ave. We had to pass the cemetery. I remember holding her hand with my eyes closed. :)
I remember that old graveyard when I was a teenager attending High School. I to always wondered what happened to the bodies that were there many of the headstones are gone or misplace.
My JHS graduation was held at the Loews Valencia theater. Jamaica Avenue had everything back then. You really didn't need to go to Manhattan for much of anything.
I was born in Jamaica in 1947. Your historical perspective is wonderful. My parents shopped at Montgomery Wards and my Dad would frequent the Cuomo grocery store. We are African American and I would do it ail over again. As a child lived on 107th ave at NY Blvd. . Good work, good job!
my great grandparents lived on New York Blvd. from the late 1800's to 1950's.. my great grandfather was a constable in Jamaica and volunteer fireman. after my great grandmothers death their house was sold. eventually torn down for York College. it remained an empty lot until the 1990's when an athletic field was built there. in the 1930's my moms dog became rabid and was shot and killed by my great grandfather. the dog was buried in the backyard,
Awesome history learned a lot my favorite part is when black and white kids go to the same school no more division. As a kid I always wandered about all of those churches now I know. Hand of applause to a great teacher 👏 Mr Ballenas. I went to Hillcrest Highschool. Got to get that book.
trey harris That may be, but Xamayca or Jamaica in English is the name the indigenous people of the Caribbean island called it since before Columbus landed there in 1494.