We find early in Queens’ history that Native Americans lived amongst fertile land and forests that generously provided game, fish, fowl and wild growing fruits. These early settlers were there long before Dutch and English settlers arrived.
Queens, New York history reveals that it this borough was one of the 10 original counties of New York State. Queens County officially became a county in 1683, named in honor of Queen Catherine of Braganza, the wife of King Charles II. The county was made of areas now known as Queens and Nassau counties. However, Queens did not become a part of New York City until 1893.
Douglaston history finds Thomas Hicks settling a community of Queens known as Douglaston, in the year 1656. His estate later passed on to Thomas Wicks in 1796. The year 1819 found the estate in the hand of Wynant Van Zandt, who built a mansion with Greek architectural features. The Douglaston Yacht Club resides in the area today.
George Douglas bought over 200 acres of land and the mansion in 1835. He died in 1862, leaving his land in the hands of his son, William Douglas. The North Shore Railroad stretched its services to this area and soon the stop was named Douglaston, as thanks for William Douglas’ donation of a building that would later be used as a station house.
Douglaston Hill is the oldest area and is graced with turn of the century Victorian homes and suburban gardens; it is also a historic district of New York. Its history is interesting reading and informative as to how townships developed over a century ago.
Queens’ history has been colorful, to say the least, with political and religious events working to bring about changes, even establishing principles that developed into the Bill of Rights. The advancing forms of transportation, wealth, and the remnants of Victorian culture produced a middle class of people that treasured a domesticated and obtainable way of life. It evolved through the years to become the commuter suburb it is today. Come see Douglaston, Queens to get a sense of the history!
