Jackson Heights Life

Lived in Jackson Heights from 1944 until 1980. I remember the area before IS 145,Northridge and SouthRidge..before Elmhurst General and before the Library.

Born in 1938 and lived at 34-57-82nd Street with my folks who moved there when they were married in 1930. Went to nursery school at Mrs. Wills (right alongside of Garden Country Day School), P.S. 69 for Kindergarten, and St. Joan of Arc Grammar School graduating in 1952. Loved the lots in Jackson Heights for playing ball, burning Christmas trees, etc., and missed them in the late 40's after WW II when they all seemed to disappear.  Was a cub scout in Pack 201 at St Mark's Episcopal Church, and a scout in Troop 217 at P.S. 69. Had many good friends growing up and remember many, many good times.   

Funny to think of your attending the Song of Bernadette at the movie theater, we had the same experience when Joan of Arc with Ingrid Bergman came out. The whole school went down to the auditorium one morning and saw the movie. That was the only time I can remember the whole school in the auditorium together! In 1954 had the good fortune to go to California, Santa Ana, for the Boy Scout Jamboree with a Scoutmaster Arthur Ryland from Carona. Good man and good leader. Went there by train through the South and back the northern route by way of Chicago stopping at grand places along the way. One of the famous Jackson Heights stars I went all through grammar school with is the playwright John E. CARE who wrote THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES (the apartment he lived in on 82nd Street left side just before 37th Avenue that had "blue leaves" wallpaper in the lobby.) TWO GENTELEMEN OF VARONA (adaptation of Shakespeares) as well as the movie ATLANTIC CITY starring Burt Lancaster. As a young boy John Guare wrote short stories about his life that were read aloud in class by Sister St. Catherine and again a few years later by Sister Carmella two very fine ladies who were members of the Gray Nuns of the Sacred Heart teaching at St. Joan's. His efforts were hysterical and very original at the time and he continued writing stories at St. Johns Prep and then at Georgetown and Yale. I believe it was Tony Hope (Bob Hope's son who was at Georgetown) was helpful to John Guare in his career. I recently learned that another schoolmate has moved back to Jackson Heights and lives in his parents apartment and loves living there.

I used to walk by that store a lot, my GF's dad had a stamp and coin shop on the same block

Jim's stamp shop was acroos the street from the Castle Cave, closer to 89th than to 90th

I've lived here all my life. 1941-1963 at 34-20 83rd St, then on 80th between 34th and 35th from 1965-present.

My father had a bunch of plots in the victory gardens behind Saint Marks Church.

I went to St. Marks and still do.

Mine is a small world.

The number of interesting stores has almost disappeared. I think most people just go into Manhattan to work and shop there.

Travers Park between 77th and 78th is still the only playground, but the city has 1. Demapped 78th between Northern and 34th Ave for a PlayStreet, and 2. bought the Garden School playing field for a park. So there will be, hopefully, some greenspace and full-time park space from 79th St to 77th between Northern and 34th.

Alex Pizza on 37th turned into Romeo Pizza turned into the current Gustosa Pizza. Opposite PS 69.

The Boulevard Theater is now the Boulevard restaurant. The Jackson Theater is now the Jackson Cinema, showing Hollywood and Bollywood movies and the Colony Theater is now stores.

Jahn's is still there. Carroll Pharmacy is now Taco Bell. Dragon Seed, Cavalier and any decent bar hangouts are gone.

That's all for now.

Hi Folks-

My 91 year old mother lived in Jackson Heights at 127 Hawthorne Court when she was in public school so that would have been in the 1920s. Her father was a pediatrician and had an office attached to their main floor garden apartment. We live in Canada now. Does that address still exist? Does anyone have info or pictures? My mom's short term memory is really poor but she has sweet stories of her youth there. Thanks to anyone who has info to share.

Here are some websites with photos of Hawthorne Court.  I'm not sure about the number 127, but Hawthorne Court refers to a coop that consists of 14 buildings.

http://queens.brownstoner.com/2013/07/jackson-heights-garden-crowdsourcing-submission-2-the-hawthorne/
http://www.corcoran.com/nyc/Listings/Display/2333422
http://www.hawthornecourt.org/about-hawthorne-court
http://www.hawthorne3520.com/