National Register Listing

Sunnyside Gardens Historic District

Roughly bounded by Queens Blvd., 43rd and 52nd Sts. Barnett and Skillman Aves., New York, NY
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The first capital of the United States was actually located in New York City, from 1785 to 1790. The city also served as the temporary capital while Washington, D.C. was being built.
New York random facts
Queens County, located in New York State, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Native American Lenape tribes, who fished and farmed in the fertile lands by the rivers and bays. In 1683, Queens County was established as one of the original 12 counties of New York, named after Catherine of Braganza, the queen consort of King Charles II of England.

During the Revolutionary War, the area played a significant role. Some famous battles, such as the Battle of Long Island, took place in Queens. The war left its mark on the county, with many historical sites and landmarks still present today, including the Old Quaker Meeting House and the Jamaica Pass Battlefield.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Queens County experienced significant growth and development. The building of the Long Island Rail Road in the mid-1800s brought increased transportation and commerce to the area. Immigrants from various countries, such as Ireland, Germany, Italy, and more recently, from Asian and Latin American countries, settled in Queens, contributing to its cultural diversity.

In 1898, Queens became one of the five boroughs of New York City, along with Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. This incorporation into the city led to further infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of bridges and highways. Today, Queens has become a bustling borough with vibrant neighborhoods, renowned cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art PS1, and one of the major international gateways in the United States, JFK Airport.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Queens County, New York.

  • 1683 - Queens County is established as one of the original twelve counties in the Province of New York.
  • 1784 - Queens County loses a portion of its territory to form Nassau County.
  • 1898 - Queens County becomes a borough of New York City as part of the consolidation of the city's five boroughs.
  • 1939 - The World's Fair is held in Queens, bringing international attention to the borough.
  • 1964 - Another World's Fair takes place in Queens, showcasing technological advancements and cultural exhibits.
  • 1970 - The New York City Subway's Flushing-Main Street station is opened, connecting Queens to the rest of the city.
  • 2012 - Superstorm Sandy causes significant damage to parts of Queens, particularly coastal areas.