A History of Long Island City: From Farmland to Factories
The area that is now known as Long Island City was the first part of Queens to be settled by a few pioneering Dutch farmers in the 1600's. The low-lying region flooded easily, and there were only a few roads and settlers until the mid-1800's when developers began leveling the area's sand hills and laying out streets. These were the first steps of a process that would eventually turn this area of calm farmland into a stronghold of the industrial revolution. In 1861, the Long Island Rail Road terminal was built in Hunter's Point, and as a result, many stores, saloons, and hotels sprung up in the neighborhood, making it a lively stopover point for train passengers traveling between Long Island and Manhattan. People en route to Manhattan would board a ferry for the journey's final leg. In addition to commuter-oriented commerce, Hunter's Point also became an industrial center during the Civil War. Oil refineries and factories that made varnish and ceramic piping operated there along the East River and Newtown Creek waterfronts.
In 1870, Long Island City became an incorporated municipality encompassing the smaller neighborhoods of Hunter's Point, Astoria, Steinway, Sunnyside, and Ravenswood. The new city's government encouraged businessmen to build factories in order to generate the tax revenue that was needed to improve the quality of life for residents. Industrial development already underway in Hunter's Point began to spread northward, with gas plants and chemical and glass factories lining the East River waterfront to Astoria. 1898 brought Long Island City's incorporation into New York City, and other manufacturers continued to be attracted to the area because of its highways, ferries, and the commercial waterways of the East River and Newtown Creek. By the end of 19th Century, Long Island City had the highest concentration of industry in the United States.
To find out more about the history of Long Island City:
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/LIC/lic.html
http://www.astorialic.org/neighborhoods/neighborhoods_p.php
Building the Queensboro Bridge and East River Tunnels
The opening of the Queensboro Bridge in 1909 was one of, if not the, most important feature to stimulate the continuing development of Long Island City and Queens in general. Prior to its opening, proposals for its construction were considered for nearly 70 years, and its plans were in the making even earlier than those for the Brooklyn Bridge. Before the opening of the bridge, Long Island City was isolated and unevenly developed, made up of small communities and open farmlands connected by dirt roads, and the only way to reach Manhattan was by ferry. After the bridge was built, factories soon sprouted up along Queens Boulevard, which was built as the major connection to the new bridge. In 1917, the Second Avenue elevated subway line began using the bridge, further spurring commercial development. Housing and industry began quickly replacing farmland, thus developing the character of modern-day Long Island City. By 1919, the Queensboro Bridge was a key element in a massive transportation network of railroads and trolleys serving the critical needs of industry by moving both goods and workers. Designated as a national landmark, this ten-lane bridge is used by thousands of people each day, and has also been used as a symbol of NYC in many popular films.
To find out more about the Queensboro Bridge:
http://www.nycroads.com/crossings/queensboro/
http://www.transalt.org/bridges/queensboro.html
In addition to the Queensboro Bridge, the construction of tunnels helped transform Long Island City into an industrial center. In 1910, the opening of the Long Island Railroad's East River Tunnel allowed for another important link between Queens and Manhattan, providing a connection to the new Penn Station. Then, in 1915, the Steinway Tunnel was opened, and two years later, the #7 subway line began serving the important function of bringing workers from Manhattan to the fledgling factories of Long Island City. The original tunnel is still used to carry the #7 line, transporting people between Times Square and Flushing, Queens. Finally, in 1940, the Queens-Midtown tunnel opened, feeding drivers on the Long Island Expressway directly into Manhattan.
Industry in Long Island City
The rapid development of bridges, tunnels, and roads in the early 1900's was instrumental in making Long Island City one of the most accessible industrial areas in the New York City metropolitan region, a distinction that continues to hold true today. This high level of accessibility made Long Island City an obvious choice for a wide range of industry, which in 1912 employed 16,000 workers in 300 firms making chewing gum, automobiles, pianos, cigars, metal parts, batteries, and more. The baking industry was a major player in the growth of Long Island City; the Loose-Wiles Sunshine Biscuit Company was the largest factory in 1912 with 2,500 workers. This plant was located in Degnon Terminal, the center of Long Island City's industrial activity, which also housed the Packard Automobile Company, the American Ever Ready Company, the American Chicle Company, and the White Motor Company.
The rise of day light factories
Earlier factories, which were built mainly of brick, had little structural support and relied on the brick to remain stable. Hence, it was only possible for these factories to have small, little windows allowing minimal sunlight and ventilation. As new concepts in building and factory construction advanced, steel and other materials were used in their fabrication. This allowed more of the buildings walls to contain large windows. These factories were called “Day Light Factories” because they were now filled with light and fresh air, which extended factories hours of operation and working conditions. The quality and versatility of these buildings allows them to be converted for several purposes, and many of them are still functioning today.
Public housing at Queensbridge
While industry flourished and public transportation use became increasingly common, housing soon followed. The Queensbridge Houses, which opened in 1939, is the largest public housing development in the United States. Located just below the Queensboro Bridge between Vernon Blvd. and 21st Street, these houses are near the center of the industrial sector of Long Island City. The Queensbridge Houses are famous among the hip-hop community as a place where many talented rappers and singers grew up.
Find out more about the Queensboro Houses:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensbridge,_Queens
http://gis.nyc.gov/nycha/im/AddressMap.do
Industry in transition
With the onset of World War I, many of Long Island City's auto plants and automotive supply companies switched over to military production. In Astoria, aircraft parts were produced during both World Wars. During the second part of the 20th century, Long Island City underwent a transitional period in which some of the larger factories closed while others were converted to alternate uses. For example, the Silvercup Bakery became the Silvercup Studios where movies and television shows are now produced. In 1965, the Loose-Wiles Sunshine Biscuit Co. building became the Executone Building, and in the mid-1980's it in turn became the International Design Center of New York (IDCNY) where furniture and interior design firms had their showrooms in a mammoth 900,000 square foot building. Today, IDCNY Building I is home to New York City's Departments of Design and Construction and Transportation, Building II is home to the DeVry Technical Institute, and Building III is owned by LaGuardia Community College.
A continued renaissance
Long Island City continues to evolve, responding to the quickly changing economy. Industrial and manufacturing firms still provide an important foundation of jobs and economic stability for the community.
At the same time, Long Island City has seen a growing arts and cultural movement take root. This tradition is anchored by larger institutions such as PS 1, the Noguchi Museum, the American Museum of the Moving Image, Sculpture Center, and Socrates Park. It is supplemented by a number of smaller galleries, studios, a thriving community of individual artists, and businesses serving the creative and entertainment industries. Silvercup and Kaufman-Astoria Studios have grown extensively, representing a thriving film and television production presence in Long Island City.
A major residential, commercial, and retail development is in the process of being built on the East River in the district's southwestern corner called Queens West. According to projections, Queens West will provide 74 acres of mixed use, with potential build-out estimates consisting of three distinct neighborhoods in four development stages.
Click here to find out more about new development in Long Island City.
