Editing IND Queens Boulevard Line (section)

====Building boom and the growth of communities====
[[File:Queens Boulevard west of Yellowstone Boulevard.jpg|thumb|alt=Streetscape of Forest Hills, Queens|Neighborhoods in Queens, such as [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] (pictured), sprung up around the new subway.<ref name=nyt19370718/>]]
The construction of the Queens Boulevard subway line offered the possibility of quick commutes to the central business district in Midtown Manhattan. In the late 1920s, speculators, upon learning the route of the proposed line, quickly bought up property on and around Queens Boulevard, and real estate prices soared, and older buildings were demolished in order to make way for new development.<ref name=":04"/><ref>* {{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2015/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star%201930/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star%201930%20-%200715.pdf|title=New Subway Spurs Building on Queens Boulevard: Home Construction to $2,000,000 Value Now Going On, Says Boelsen|date=April 17, 1930|newspaper=New York Daily Star|page=2|access-date=August 2, 2016|via=Fulton History|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134157/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2015/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star%201930/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Star%201930%20-%200715.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/25/archives/milliondollar-queens-borough-sale-western-syndicate-buys-vacant.html|title=Million-Dollar Queens Borough Sale; Western Syndicate Buys Vacant Plots; Properties on the Line of the Jamaica Subway, Now Under Construction, and All Have Frontages on Queens Boulevard, Where Building Is Active|date=November 25, 1928|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=February 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224123638/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/25/archives/milliondollar-queens-borough-sale-western-syndicate-buys-vacant.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/24/archives/block-front-sold-in-long-island-city-queens-boulevard-parcel-will.html|title=Block Front Sold In Long Island City; Queens Boulevard Parcel Will Be Improved With Stores and Apartments. Elmhurst Sites TradedBuilders and Investors Active Along Route of Proposed Subway to Jamaica|date=May 24, 1928|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134159/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/24/archives/block-front-sold-in-long-island-city-queens-boulevard-parcel-will.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/05/19/archives/sees-big-changes-coming-in-queens-borough-has-bright-possibilities.html|title=Sees Big Changes Coming In Queens; Borough Has Bright Possibilities for Development, Says Fred G. Randall. Traffic Is Chief Factor Queens Boulevard Areas Showing Marked Activity—Realty Values Advancing|date=May 19, 1929|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323075634/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/05/19/archives/sees-big-changes-coming-in-queens-borough-has-bright-possibilities.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In order to allow for the speculators to build fifteen-story apartment buildings, several blocks were rezoned.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/23/archives/queens-to-have-15story-house-tall-structure-for-new-residential.html|title=Queens To Have 15-Story House; Tall Structure for New Residential Development in Forest Hills Area. Near Boulevard Subway Several Blocks Rezoned for High Buildings Between Jamaica and Kew Gardens. Apartment Height's Increase|date=March 23, 1930|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134159/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/23/archives/queens-to-have-15story-house-tall-structure-for-new-residential.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They built apartment buildings in order to accommodate the influx of residents from Midtown Manhattan that would desire a quick and cheap commute to their jobs.<ref name=":04" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5UiKlrlAwEC|title=The Neighborhoods of Queens|last=Copquin|first=Claudia Gryvatz|date=January 1, 2007 |publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-11299-3|language=en}}</ref> Since the new line had express tracks, communities built around express stations, such as in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens became more desirable to live. With the introduction of the subway into the community of Forest Hills, Queens Borough President [[George U. Harvey]] predicted that Queens Boulevard would become the "Park Avenue of Queens".<ref name=":04" /> With the introduction of the subway, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens were transformed from quiet residential communities of one-family houses to active population centers.<ref name=nyt19370718>* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/18/archives/demand-is-noted-for-queens-homes-sales-in-many-areas-exceed-summer.html|title=Demand Is Noted For Queens Homes; Sales in Many Areas Exceed Summer Expectations of Developers; Jamaica Section Active; Buying Interest Reported at Kew Gardens—Open Roslyn Community Today Kew Gardens Activity Open Home Center at Roslyn|date=July 18, 1937|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134659/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/18/archives/demand-is-noted-for-queens-homes-sales-in-many-areas-exceed-summer.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/14/nyregion/life-beyond-the-subway-is-subject-to-its-own-disruptions.html|title=Life Beyond the Subway Is Subject to Its Own Disruptions|last=Myers|first=Steven Lee|date=June 14, 1992|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=May 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509210127/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/14/nyregion/life-beyond-the-subway-is-subject-to-its-own-disruptions.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/11/archives/forest-hills-is-active-renting-is-heaviest-in-years-there-broker.html|title=Forest Hills Is Active; Renting Is Heaviest in Years There, Broker Reports|date=September 11, 1938|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111221/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/11/archives/forest-hills-is-active-renting-is-heaviest-in-years-there-broker.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/26/archives/new-queens-subway-stimulating-growth-work-now-under-way-to-kew.html|title=New Queens Subway Stimulating Growth; Work Now Under Way to Kew Gardens—Many Home Communities Well Populated|date=April 26, 1931|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/03/07/archives/subway-link-aids-realty-activityy-broker-notes-the-expansion-of.html|title=Subway Link Aids Realty Activity; Broker Notes the Expansion of Housing Facilities in Queens District|date=March 7, 1937|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134700/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/03/07/archives/subway-link-aids-realty-activityy-broker-notes-the-expansion-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the line's completion, there was an increase in the property values of buildings around Queens Boulevard.<ref>* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/03/archives/subway-link-aids-realty-in-queens-civic-leaders-urge-careful.html|title=Subway Link Aids Realty In Queens; Civic Leaders Urge Careful Planning for the Future Growth of District. Apartment Trend Seen Rising Values Are Predicted for the Forest Hills and Kew Gardens Areas. Views Future With Optimism Cites New Responsibilities Subway Link Aids Realty In Queens Changing Conditions Seen Sales in Rego Park|date=January 3, 1937|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615113002/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/03/archives/subway-link-aids-realty-in-queens-civic-leaders-urge-careful.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/11/archives/forest-hills-rentals-demand-there-and-in-kew-gardens-higher-than.html|title=Forest Hills Rentals; Demand There and in Kew Gardens Higher Than Last Year|date=July 11, 1937|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134701/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/11/archives/forest-hills-rentals-demand-there-and-in-kew-gardens-higher-than.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, a property along Queens Boulevard that would have sold for $1,200 in 1925, would have sold for $10,000 in 1930.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/11/archives/residential-areas-in-queens-expand-plans-are-announced-for-new.html|title=Residential Areas In Queens Expand; Plans Are Announced for New Garden Apartment House in Jackson Heights. Many Small Homes Built Queens Boulevard Values Rise-- Construction Activity Reported in Woodhaven Section. Queens Boulevard Values Rise|date=May 11, 1930|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726011255/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/11/archives/residential-areas-in-queens-expand-plans-are-announced-for-new.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The population of Forest Hills in 1930 was 18,000, having increased to 100,000 in 1965.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/10/archives/queens-boulevard-once-just-a-good-route-to-jamaica-is-becoming-a.html|title=Queens Boulevard, Once Just a Good Route to Jamaica, Is Becoming a 'Golden Area'; Urban Togetherness|last=Dougherty|first=Philip H.|date=March 10, 1965|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726010617/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/10/archives/queens-boulevard-once-just-a-good-route-to-jamaica-is-becoming-a.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The construction boom was not limited to express stations, with fifteen-story apartment buildings built by Cord Meyer, an eighty-family apartment house built by the Rego Park Construction Corporation, and 300 one-family homes built along Woodhaven Boulevard by Pherbus Kaplan, all surrounding the [[63rd Drive–Rego Park (IND Queens Boulevard Line)|63rd Drive]] local station. These development companies all sought out to continue to increase the value of their properties in anticipation of the opening of the subway.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/09/archives/queens-boulevard-ready-for-building-subway-completion-there-will.html|title=Queens Boulevard Ready For Building; Subway Completion There Will Stimulate Large Housing Improvements|date=March 9, 1930|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726011929/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/09/archives/queens-boulevard-ready-for-building-subway-completion-there-will.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Queens Boulevard, prior to the construction of the subway, was just a route to allow people to get to Jamaica, running through farmlands. Since the construction of the line, the area of the thoroughfare that stretches from Rego Park to Kew Gardens has been home to apartment buildings, and a thriving business district that the Chamber of Commerce calls the "Golden Area".<ref name=":2" />

In Elmhurst, almost all of the century-old buildings in the heart of the village were destroyed for the construction of the subway. Land was taken on the west side of the Broadway to avoid the demolition of the Saint James Episcopal Church and the Reformed Church. Many nineteenth century residences and the Wandowenock Fire Company buildings had to be torn down. To allow the subway line to curve into Queens Boulevard from Broadway, the northeast corner of the two streets was removed, in addition to some stores and an old Presbyterian chapel. New buildings were built behind a new curb line once the subway was completed, bringing a new face to Elmhurst. The introduction of the subway stimulated local growth in Elmhurst. Commercial buildings and apartment houses replaced existing structures.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5myFv069DGMC&q=ELMHURST+HISTORY+QUEENS |title=Old Queens, N.Y., in Early Photographs |last1=Seyfried |first1=Vincent F. |last2=Asadorian |first2=William |date=January 1, 1991 |publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=978-0-486-26358-8 |language=en |access-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007134709/https://books.google.com/books?id=5myFv069DGMC&q=ELMHURST+HISTORY+QUEENS |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 1940 to 1950, in large part because of the construction of the Queens Boulevard Line, the population of Queens dramatically increased by 248,678, of which, 210,000 lived in areas alongside the new line and the buses that connected to it. By 1940, there were 27.5 square miles of vacant land alongside the line that could be used for housing, compared with only 8 in Brooklyn, 4 in the Bronx, and none in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/07/01/archives/queens-population-grew-with-subway-248678-gain-from-1940-to-50.html|title=Queens Population Grew With Subway; 248,678 Gain From 1940 to '50 Followed Opening of Land Areas Along 8th Avenue Line|date=July 1, 1951|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405183049/https://www.nytimes.com/1951/07/01/archives/queens-population-grew-with-subway-248678-gain-from-1940-to-50.html|url-status=live}}</ref>