40°46′07″N 73°56′16″W / 40.76861°N 73.93778°W / 40.76861; -73.93778
68-855: Sunswick Creek is a buried stream located in Astoria and Long Island City , in the northwestern portion of Queens in New York City . It originated to the north of Queensboro Bridge and Queens Plaza in Long Island City, flowing north to the present-day site of the Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, and emptying into the East River . The creek was named for a term in the Algonquin language that likely means "Woman Chief" or "Sachem’s Wife." The mouth of
136-516: A higher ratio of college-educated residents than the rest of the city as of 2018 . Half of residents (50%) have a college education or higher, while 16% have less than a high school education and 33% are high school graduates or have some college education. By contrast, 39% of Queens residents and 43% of city residents have a college education or higher. The percentage of Astoria students excelling in math rose from 43 percent in 2000 to 65 percent in 2011, and reading achievement rose from 47% to 49% during
204-422: A lime kiln on the creek. Sunswick Creek formed a navigable waterway with Dutch Kills , another stream to the south, making it easy for merchants to transport produce and goods along the creek. A milldam was built at the mouth of the creek in 1679, creating a small mill pond. Joseph Hallett and Jacob Blackwell built a mill on the creek's right bank, near its mouth, in 1753. By the 1860s and 1870s, Sunswick Creek
272-558: A lowland north of the present Queensboro Bridge, was infilled with the construction of the bridge in the 1900s and 1910s. This was accomplished partly by dumping dirt from the excavation of New York City Subway tunnels in Manhattan . In addition, street cleaners tossed dry rubbish into the lowland to raise the grade of nearby streets. In 1915, residents of Ravenswood sent a letter to the New York City Board of Health to complain about
340-419: A non-fatal assault hospitalization rate of 56 per 100,000 people, compared to the boroughwide rate of 37 per 100,000 and the citywide rate of 59 per 100,000. Its incarceration rate is 277 per 100,000 people, compared to the boroughwide rate of 315 per 100,000 and the citywide rate of 425 per 100,000. Of the five major violent felonies (murder, rape, felony assault, robbery, and burglary), the 114th Precinct had
408-624: A patent from Nieuw Nederland's last governor, Peter Stuyvesant , it is believed to be the oldest remaining dwelling in New York City still used as a residence. There is an adjacent family cemetery. The Smiths, who bought the house in 1975, have been restoring it for many years. The annual public tour was given usually in mid-September by the owners for the benefit of a local historical society, but has since ceased to occur. Before Prohibition , there were dance halls, picnic areas, and amusement park rides at North Beach. Ragtime composer Scott Joplin
476-581: A rate of 385 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2019, compared to the boroughwide average of 424 crimes per 100,000 and the citywide average of 572 crimes per 100,000. Astoria is served by four New York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire stations: As of 2018 , preterm births and births to teenage mothers are less common in Astoria than in other places citywide. In Astoria, there were 84 preterm births per 1,000 live births (compared to 87 per 1,000 citywide), and 15.1 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births (compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide). Astoria has
544-465: A relatively average population of residents who are uninsured . In 2018, this population of uninsured residents was estimated to be 12%, which is equal to the citywide rate of 12%. The concentration of fine particulate matter , the deadliest type of air pollutant , in Astoria is 0.0078 milligrams per cubic metre (7.8 × 10 oz/cu ft), higher than the citywide and boroughwide averages. Nineteen percent of Astoria residents are smokers , which
612-546: A significant ethnic and religious group. The Astoria Center of Israel , which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places , was built in 1925 after outgrowing the former Congregation Mishkan Israel, which was built in 1904. The 1960s saw a large increase of Greeks , and after 1974 , there was an influx of Cypriots . This cultural imprint can be seen in the numerous Greek restaurants, tavernas , bakeries, and cafes, as well as several Greek Orthodox churches. In
680-515: A tandem committee that ensured both private and commercial needs would be addressed. New York would see additional epidemics in 1795, 1796, 1798, 1799, and 1800, which lead to the creation of the 'New York City Board of Health', which held its first meeting in 1805. In 1866, the New York State legislature enacted a bill establishing the 'Metropolitan Board of Health', consisting of the four Police Commissioners, four Health Commissioners appointed by
748-648: A village; there was no disposition at any time to become independent as there was insufficient population or commercial activity to justify such a move. Ravenswood remained an exclusive hamlet within the Town of Newtown until its absorption with the Village of Astoria and the hamlets of Hunters Point , Blissville , Sunnyside , Dutch Kills , Steinway, Bowery Bay and Middleton in Newtown Township into Long Island City in 1870. In 1870, Ravenswood, along with several other hamlets and
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#1732844425725816-661: Is a worldwide piano company. Later on, the Steinways built a sawmill and foundry, as well as a streetcar line. The family eventually established Steinway Village for their workers, a company town that provided school instruction in German as well as English. Part of the motivation for locating the Steinway factory in Queens was to keep the workers isolated from the ferment of labor organizing and radicalism occurring in other parts of New York, notably
884-576: Is about 20 percent of New York City's electricity demand. Ditmars is a middle class section of Astoria bounded by Bowery Bay to the north, 31st Street and the Steinway subsection to the east, 23rd Avenue to the south, and the East River to the west. The adjacent Steinway neighborhood was largely developed as a company town by the Steinway & Sons piano company, and included houses and public facilities that were also available to non-employees. However,
952-645: Is buried across the Grand Central Parkway at St. Michael's Cemetery , which occasionally holds ragtime concerts. The Rikers Island Bridge to New York City's main prison, Rikers Island , runs from the north end of Hazen Street. Technically, Rikers Island is in the Bronx since New York City took it over from Long Island City in 1884, after it had annexed the South Bronx but before it consolidated Queens. However, like Astoria Heights, Rikers Island gets its mail from
1020-402: Is higher than the city average of 14% of residents being smokers. In Astoria, 19% of residents are obese , 11% are diabetic , and 29% have high blood pressure —compared to the citywide averages of 24%, 11%, and 28% respectively. In addition, 22% of children are obese, compared to the citywide average of 20%. Eighty-nine percent of residents eat some fruits and vegetables every day, which
1088-693: Is higher than the city's average of 87%. In 2018, 79% of residents described their health as "good", "very good", or "excellent", about the same as the city's average of 78%. For every supermarket in Astoria, there are 10 bodegas . Astoria is served by the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens . Astoria is covered by ZIP Codes 11102 between 37th Avenue and Grand Central Parkway, 11105 north of Grand Central Parkway, 11106 between 31st and 37th Avenues west of 37th Street, 11101 south of 37th Avenue, and 11103 east of 37th Street. The United States Post Office operates five locations nearby: Astoria generally has
1156-694: Is higher than the median life expectancy of 81.2 for all New York City neighborhoods. Most inhabitants are middle-aged adults and youth: 16% are between the ages of 0–17, 41% between 25 and 44, and 22% between 45 and 64. The ratio of college-aged and elderly residents was lower, at 10% and 12% respectively. As of 2018 , the median household income in Community District 1 was $ 67,444. In 2018, an estimated 18% of Astoria residents lived in poverty, compared to 19% in all of Queens and 20% in all of New York City. Around 8% of residents were unemployed, compared to 8% in Queens and 9% in New York City. Rent burden, or
1224-400: Is part of Astoria. The etymology of Ravenswood may have been for the population of ravens, or a character from The Bride of Lammermoor . It was situated around Sunswick Creek , which drained into the East River at the current location of Socrates Sculpture Park . The land was acquired in 1814 by Col. George Gibbs , a businessman from New York City who developed it. Gibbs died in 1833, and
1292-630: Is patrolled by the New York City Police Department 's 114th Precinct. Fire protection is provided by Battalions 45 and 49 of FDNY . Politically, Astoria is represented by the New York City Council 's 22nd and 26th Districts. The area now known as Astoria was originally called Hallet's Cove (also spelled Hallett's Cove), after its first landowner William Hallet, (or Hallett) who settled there in 1652 with his wife, Elizabeth Fones , though they moved to Flushing after their farm
1360-594: Is preserved today by the Museum of the Moving Image and Kaufman Astoria Studios . For census purposes, the New York City government classifies Astoria as part of three neighborhood tabulation areas: Steinway (north of Grand Central Parkway ), Old Astoria (north of 31st Avenue and approximately west of 31st Street), and Astoria (in the remaining area approximately north of Northern Boulevard / 36th Avenue and approximately west of Hobart Street / 50th Street). Based on data from
1428-449: Is sometimes referred to simply as "Steinway", and the northern end around Ditmars Boulevard is sometimes referred to as "Ditmars", with their convergence point bearing the neighborhood name "Ditmars-Steinway". Banners displayed on lamp posts along 30th Avenue refer to it as "the Heart of Astoria". Ravenswood is the name for the strip of land bordering the East River and Long Island City, and
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#17328444257251496-617: Is the department of the government of New York City responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. The New York City Board of Health is part of the department. Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of the New York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). Since March 2022, the commissioner has been Ashwin Vasan . The department
1564-624: The 2010 United States Census , the combined population of these areas was 154,141, a decrease of 17,427 (10.2%) from the 171,568 counted in 2000 . Covering an area of 2,556.2 acres (1,034.5 ha), the neighborhood had a population density of 60.3 inhabitants per acre (38,600/sq mi; 14,900/km ). The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 52.2% (80,533) Non-Hispanic White , 4.7% (7,204) black, 0.2% (250) Native American , 14.3% (22,100) Asian , 0.0% (70) Pacific Islander , 1.0% (1,532) from other races , and 2.1% (3,238) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.4% (39,214) of
1632-751: The East Elmhurst ( ZIP Code 11370) station of the Flushing Post Office. Astoria is patrolled by the 114th Precinct of the NYPD , located at 34-16 Astoria Boulevard. The precinct also covers parts of Long Island City and Woodside. The 114th Precinct has a lower crime rate than in the 1990s, with crimes across all categories having decreased by 83.9% between 1990 and 2019. The precinct reported 2 murders, 34 rapes, 184 robberies, 364 felony assaults, 196 burglaries, 782 grand larcenies, and 136 grand larcenies auto in 2019. As of 2018 , Queens Community District 1 has
1700-526: The New York City borough of Queens . Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to four other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City to the southwest, Sunnyside to the southeast, and Woodside and East Elmhurst to the east. As of 2019 , Astoria has an estimated population of 95,446. Originally the site of a War of 1812 fortification , a village called Hallet's (or Hallett's) Cove after its first landowner William Hallet, who settled there in 1652 with his wife, Elizabeth Fones grew around
1768-744: The New York City Housing Authority project that was built in 1949 to 1951 with this name between 34th and 36th Avenues, and 12th and 24th Streets. The name also identifies the large electric power station established along the shore of the East River, just south of the Roosevelt Island Bridge . The Ravenswood Generating Station which includes Ravenswood No. 3 or " Big Allis ", was built by Con Edison in 1963–65 but, due to deregulation, has subsequently been owned by KeySpan , National Grid, and TransCanada . The power plant can generate approximately 2,500 megawatts of power, which
1836-456: The War of 1812 . The coastal fort also had an inland defensive position, Castle Bogardus, to protect from a land attack. Together these structures where the first permanent buildings in what would become Astoria. By 1815 the fort would be abandoned, but by 1836 a small village of 20 to 30 dwellings and an Episcopalian church was built, naming itself the aforementioned Hallet's Cove. Beginning in
1904-512: The tide gates along Sunswick Creek, which had been installed to alleviate an infestation of mosquitoes. The residents claimed that the tide gates were actually keeping mosquitoes in the creek, since these gates resulted in stagnant water, and threatened to open the tide gates. In response, the Board of Health suggested filling up their land, which the Brooklyn Times-Union reported would require
1972-487: The 1990s, Steinway Street between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard saw the establishment of many Arabic shops, restaurants, and cafes, which is unofficially called "Little Egypt", due to the number of Arabs residing there and the mostly Egyptian shops and lounges there. Croatians from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have been numerous since the 1960s and their numbers continue to grow. New populations of South American and Balkan peoples have seen significant growth since
2040-603: The Asian minority decreased by 5% (1,120), and the change in the small Black population rounded to 0% (11). Taking into account the three census tabulation areas, the White and Asian populations both actually increased in Old Astoria, but decreased enough in Astoria and Steinway to cause an overall decrease; on the other hand, the Black population decreased in Old Astoria and increased equivalently in
2108-529: The Detroit area. However, as of 2010, the Bangladeshi American community in Astoria has been increasing. By the early 21st century, Astoria was one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Queens, with people from around 100 countries residing there as of 2015 . Population losses in Queens were particularly high in immigrant neighborhoods such as Astoria, which suffered the greatest population loss in
Sunswick Creek - Misplaced Pages Continue
2176-464: The Ditmars neighborhood was not included in the Steinway & Sons company housing and related facilities project. The neighborhood takes its name from Ditmars Boulevard which was named in honor of Abram Ditmars, the first mayor of Long Island City, New York, elected in 1870 (the city became a mere neighborhood when Queens became a part of Greater New York). His ancestors were German immigrants who settled in
2244-543: The Dutch Kills area in the 1600s. Astoria Heights, or Upper Ditmars (part of East Elmhurst), is bounded by Hazen Street to the west, La Guardia Airport to the east, Bowery Bay to the north, and Astoria Boulevard and the Grand Central Parkway to the south. It is mostly a quiet middle class neighborhood of one- and two-family private homes. The Riker-Lent Homestead is near the north end of Astoria Heights at 78-03 19th Road. Built around 1655 by Abraham Riker under
2312-441: The East River the new Long Island village named in his honor. Astor, however, never actually set foot in Astoria. During the second half of the 19th century, economic and commercial growth brought increased immigration from German settlers, mostly furniture and cabinet makers. One such settler was Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg , patriarch of the Steinway family who founded the piano company Steinway & Sons in 1853, which today
2380-652: The Governor, and the Health Officer for the Port of New York. In 1870, the legislature replaced the Board of Health with the Department of Health, with additional responsibilities including street cleaning and sanitary permits. As of December 1894, Charles G. Wilson was serving as President of the Board of Health. As a result of its consolidation with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, it
2448-661: The Long Island City subsection of Ravenswood. The creek passed north near the current site of the Queensbridge Houses and the Ravenswood Generating Station , roughly following the present path of 21st Street. A large city block, now the site of the Long Island City High School , marks the former above-ground course of the creek. Sunswick Creek drained into the East River near the present Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria . The term "Sunswick"
2516-597: The Lower East Side. Astoria and several other surrounding villages, including Steinway, were incorporated into Long Island City in 1870. Long Island City remained an independent municipality until it was incorporated into the City of Greater New York in 1898. The area's farms were turned into housing tracts and street grids to accommodate the growing number of residents. Astoria also figured prominently in early American filmmaking as one of its initial centers. That heritage
2584-538: The Village of Astoria, merged to form Long Island City. In 1875, the first commercial buildings were erected, and the mansions were converted into offices and boarding houses. In 1879, the Long Island Terra Cotta Company was established in Ravenswood, by Rudolph Franke. By 1900, Ravenswood was heavily commercial, and remains so to this day. However, the name has retained its residential character through
2652-792: The area include the Hellenic American Action Committee (HANAC) and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. Most of the 20,000 Maltese in New York City live in Astoria, and although this population has steadily been emigrating from the area, there are still many Maltese, supported by the Maltese Center of New York. Beginning in the mid-1970s, the neighborhood's Muslim population grew from earlier immigrants from Lebanon to also include people from Kosovo , Albania , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Montenegro , Egypt , Syria , Yemen , Tunisia , Morocco , and Algeria . In
2720-405: The city, losing more than 10,000 residents between the years 2000 and 2010. There is some debate as to what constitutes the geographic boundaries of Astoria. The neighborhood was part of Long Island City prior to the latter's incorporation into the City of Greater New York in 1898. The area south of Astoria was called Ravenswood, and traditionally, Broadway was considered the border between
2788-523: The creek could be heard near the Sohmer and Company Piano Factory , across from Socrates Sculpture Park. In 2011 and 2012, the Socrates Sculpture Park and Noguchi Museum commissioned a work from artist Mary Miss , entitled Ravenswood/CaLL , which consisted of several signs and mirrors along the course of the creek. Astoria, Queens Astoria is a neighborhood in the western portion of
Sunswick Creek - Misplaced Pages Continue
2856-500: The creek was settled in the late 17th century by William Hallet and Elizabeth Fones , who built a milldam at the creek's mouth to create a mill pond. Due to industrialization in Long Island City, the creek became heavily polluted and was covered-over starting in the late 19th century. Prior to its burial, Sunswick Creek's source was located close to 21st Street north of what is now the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Plaza , within
2924-782: The early 1990s, including a large population of Brazilians , who reside in the 36th Avenue area. Albanians , Bulgarians , Serbs , and Bosnians have also shown a rise in numbers. Many Spanish Americans live in Astoria, with most of them being of Galician heritage from Northwestern Spain; this community is supported by the Casa Galicia (Galicia House) and the Circulo Español (Spanish Circle). At one time, many Bangladeshi Americans settled in Astoria, but by 2001, many of them had moved to Metro Detroit . A survey of an Astoria-area Bengali language newspaper estimated that, in an 18-month period until March 2001, 8,000 Bangladeshi people moved to
2992-408: The early 19th century, affluent New Yorkers constructed large residences around 12th and 14th Streets, an area that later became known as Astoria Village (now Old Astoria). Hallet's Cove, incorporated on April 12, 1839, and previously founded by fur merchant Stephen A. Halsey , was a noted recreational destination and resort for Manhattan's wealthy. The area was renamed for John Jacob Astor , then
3060-481: The employee's geographical area of employment and only while such employee is actually on duty as listed in Chapter 13 subsection (C):. DOHMH Special Officers are prohibited by New York State Law (Criminal Procedure Law) to use or carry a firearm. The New York City Police Department responds to all incidents that occur at New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene facilities. The New York City Board of Health
3128-497: The five New York City Health and Mental Hygiene clinics is provided by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Police. New York City Health and Mental Hygiene (Police) are employed as Special Officers and who have very limited peace officer authority in connection with special duties of employment pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10(40). The exercise of these powers are very limited to
3196-415: The former path of the creek had been mostly developed with industrial buildings. During excavations for a sewer line at Vernon Boulevard and Broadway in 1957, construction workers found remnants of the former grist mill on the creek's mouth. The creek was relocated underground as part of a sewage tunnel, which was documented online by urban explorer Steven Duncan. According to one blogger, during heavy rains,
3264-473: The fort. Hallet's Cove was incorporated on April 12, 1839, and was later renamed for John Jacob Astor , then the wealthiest man in the United States, in order to persuade him to invest in the area. During the second half of the 19th century, economic and commercial growth brought increased immigration. Astoria and several other surrounding villages were incorporated into Long Island City in 1870, which in turn
3332-457: The infilling of 6 acres (2.4 ha) to a depth of 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m). The operation had a projected total cost of over $ 100,000 (equivalent to $ 3,011,842 in 2023), which was not affordable for most of the neighborhood's residents. Early the next year, in April 1916, residents broke down the barriers with axes. Afterward, the New York City health commissioner told a local newspaper that
3400-451: The land was divided into nine parcels by three developers. From 1848, there were several mansions built on this land, but the high class housing did not survive. The spring of 1853 brought the opening of a post office of its own and country store "run by Messrs. Moore & Luyster, and Mr. Samuel H. Moore of that firm received the appointment of postmaster, handling the mails in a corner of the store." Ravenswood, unlike Astoria, never became
3468-543: The late 1960s, a 'Greek Town' neighborhood coalesced in Astoria. From 1960s to 1980s the number of Greeks constantly increased. While the population of Greeks in Astoria was 22,579 in 1980, it dropped to 18,127 by 1990 due to decreased immigration and lower birth rates. During the 2000s, the Greek immigration dropped again. During the 2010s and 2020s economic issues in Greece caused a resurgence of Greek immigration. Greek organizations in
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#17328444257253536-455: The marshes surrounding the creek were drained in 1879. In addition, Long Island City had started building a proper sewage system in the 1870s, which was still not complete by the time Long Island City became part of the City of Greater New York in 1898. The creek was partially diverted into one of the sewage system's brick tunnels at Broadway, which was completed around 1893. After the consolidation of Queens into New York City, Sunswick Meadows,
3604-542: The neighborhood's reputation as a progressive political hub - as of 2023, it became the only district in the United States to elect Democratic Socialists of America representatives at municipal, state, and federal levels; and "The Big Apple ’s Fruit Basket" due to the thousands of fruit trees, particularly fig trees, cultivated in local yards. Astoria is located in Queens Community District 1 and its ZIP Codes are 11101, 11102, 11103, 11105, and 11106. It
3672-670: The other regions. The decreases in the Hispanic / Latino population and in racial groups, however, were relatively even across the three areas. The entirety of Queens Community District 1 , which includes Astoria and parts of Long Island City, is bounded to the east approximately by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and 81st Street, and to the south approximately by Queens Plaza and Northern Boulevard . It had 199,969 residents according to NYC Health 's 2018 Community Health Profile, with an average life expectancy of 83.4 years. This
3740-473: The percentage of residents who have difficulty paying their rent, is 47% in Astoria, slightly lower than the boroughwide and citywide rates of 53% and 51% respectively. Based on this calculation, as of 2018 , Community District 1 is considered to be gentrifying : according to the Community Health Profile, the district was low-income in 1990 and has seen above-median rent growth up to 2010. Astoria
3808-530: The population. The Astoria and Old Astoria tabulation areas had greater Hispanic / Latino and Asian populations, and the Old Astoria area specifically had a greater Black population. The racial and ethnic composition of Astoria changed significantly from 2000 to 2010. The most significant changes were the decrease in the Other population by 64% (8,919) and the decrease in the Hispanic / Latino population by 13% (5,705). The White majority also decreased by 2% (1,699), while
3876-425: The present-day 22nd Street was formerly named Sunswick Street. In 1664, the land on the northern shore of the creek's mouth was purchased by British settler William Hallet (or Hallett), who obtained the plot from two native chiefs named Shawestcont and Erramorhar. This peninsula, which jutted out onto Hell Gate to the northwest, was acquired in portions and was later renamed Hallet's Cove . Hallet subsequently built
3944-413: The residents "prefer to live like hogs," prompting outrage from local residents. Afterward, the Queens borough president , Maurice E. Connolly , announced a plan to install two tide gates on the creek. By the end of 1916, the New York City government proposed to close up Sunswick Creek, mandating that households living nearby divert their sewage elsewhere. A 1920 Brooklyn Daily Eagle article stated that
4012-502: The same time period. Astoria's rate of elementary school student absenteeism is about equal to the rest of New York City. In Astoria, 19% of elementary school students missed twenty or more days per school year , less than the citywide average of 20%. Additionally, 78% of high school students in Astoria graduate on time, more than the citywide average of 75%. New York City Board of Health The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (also known as NYC Health )
4080-449: The two. Today, however, many residents and businesses south of Broadway identify themselves as Astorians for convenience or status, since Long Island City has historically been considered an industrial area , and Ravenswood is now mostly a low-income neighborhood. Some of the thoroughfares have lent their names to unofficial terms for the areas they serve. For instance, the eastern end of Astoria, with Steinway Street as its main thoroughfare,
4148-461: The wealthiest man in the United States with a net worth of more than $ 40 million, in order to persuade him to invest in the neighborhood. He only invested $ 500, but the name stayed nonetheless, as a bitter battle over naming the village finally was won by Astor's supporters and friends. From Astor's summer home in Yorkville, Manhattan —on what is now East 87th Street near York Avenue —he could see across
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#17328444257254216-426: Was a neighborhood name formerly applied to the surrounding portions of Ravenswood and Astoria. It is believed to have originated from a Native American language, possibly the Algonquin word "Sunkisq." The Greater Astoria Historical Society defines the term as "meaning perhaps 'Woman Chief' or 'Sachem’s Wife.'" This name is shared by Sunswick 3535, a bar at the intersection of 35th Street and 35th Avenue. Additionally,
4284-404: Was destroyed by Native Americans . The peninsula was bordered to the north by Hell Gate , to the west by the East River , and the south by Sunswick Creek . Hallet bought the land in 1664 from two native chiefs named Shawestcont and Erramorhar. In 1814 the area of Hallet's point became the site of Fort Stevens , a defensive work to protect Hell Gate from a potential British attack during
4352-538: Was first settled by the Dutch , English, and Germans in the 17th century. Many Irish settled in the area during the waves of Irish immigration into New York City during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Italians were the next significant immigrants in Astoria, and numerous Italian restaurants, delis, bakeries, and pizza shops are found throughout Astoria, particularly in the Ditmars Boulevard area. Jews were also
4420-560: Was heavily polluted due to increasing industrialization, a lack of proper sewerage, and the high population density of Long Island City and Astoria. The historian Vincent F. Seyfried wrote that disease around Sunswick Creek and Dutch Kills had become common by 1866, and that "The damming of the Sunswick Creek cut off the flushing-out of the meadow lands and the salt water that used to ebb and flow became stagnant and slimy and filled with mosquitoes." After outbreaks of disease in 1871 and 1875,
4488-588: Was incorporated into the City of Greater New York in 1898. Commercial activity continued through the 20th century, with the area being a center for filmmaking and industry. Astoria is colloquially referred to by several nicknames: "Actoria" highlighting the neighborhood's significant population of actors, drawn by its proximity to the Kaufman Astoria Studios , Silvercup Studios , and the Theater District ; "The People's Republic of Astoria," referencing
4556-513: Was initially set up as the Health Committee (later Commission), a quasi-governmental public health group in response to a yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793. Governor John Jay made a proclamation on 13 September 1793 to establish this to regulate the ports of the city and ensure proper quarantines. Three days later, the city, under the leadership of Mayor Richard Varick , created
4624-502: Was renamed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on July 29, 2002. In 2021, Michelle E. Morse was named the first Chief Medical Officer of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. NYC is organized into 30 health districts (sometimes referred to as health center districts), themselves composed of 354 health areas which are sets of census tracts . NYC is also organized into 17 mental health regions . The departmental hierarchy is: On-site security services at
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