Introduction

Sarah Kamboj
110807

Prices of houses located within the district 26, but mainly Benjamin Cardozo High School, has risen due to the high schools prestige reputation. Bayside community is known for its diversity, high education, and a safe area. Students that are zoned to Benjamin Cardozo High School attend automatically; but often students require an admission to one of the special programs offered at the school. Benjamin Cardozo High School also brings business into the community because it gives students a place to go before and after school. Because Benjamin Cardozo High School is listed one of the top public schools in Queens; it has had a positive effect on its community.

Thesis Statement

Because Benjamin Cardozo High School is one of the top public schools in Queens, it has had a positive economic effect on its society.

- Many families want to live in this neighborhoods because they want their kids to attend Cardozo High School, so the house pricing are high.
-Many stores open up around this area because Cardozo's students need a place to go before and after school and students bring in a lot of income.

My interview.

The guy that owns the store is named Peter. Joe died 20yrs ago and Peter took over.

1. How long have you lived in this neighborhood?
I lived in this neighborhood for 20yrs but my store has been here since 1952.
2. What do you like most about this neighborhood?
Theres always opportunity to make money. commercial and residential and theres a lot of students everywhere.
3. What attracts you to this neighborhood?
That it is a mixed community.
4. Have you seen any dramatic changes in this neighborhood?
Alot of dramatic changes. From a Jewish to a Italian and then a Korean community.
5. How much of an impact does Cardozo High School have on your store?
Alot. I'd say 30% of my customers are from Cardozo.
6. When you remodeled, did it benefit you?
Of course. New kinds a food, different variety, it brought in more customers, and it gave Joe's a different image.
7. How many stores since you been here, opened and closed in this neighborhood?
Joe's has been here since 1952, it saw lot of stores close down.
8. Do you make of a lot of business having your store at this exact location?
This is the best corner. The sidewalk is huge, you can see it from any angle. When you first come to Springfield Blvd., this is the first store you see.
9. Do you know most of your customers?
Pretty much and by their names. I almost always get the same customers. Customers are very loyal.
10. Have you franchise your store?
No, i dont plan on it.

2nd Historical Source

The Cigar Factory

In 1857, a Cigar Factory was setup on Bell Avenue. John Straiton and Federic A. Storm came to Bayside just to build this cigar factory, where they built a three story building. The Factory used the second floor and the Bohemian cigar makers lived on the first. From 1857 to 1860, the cigar business was first known as “Straiton, Schmitt, & Strom”. The partners also owned all the land from Bell Avenue east to Tenth Street (221^st Street) and from the railroad, south to Broadway (Northern Blvd.). But later Mr. Schmitt left the partnership and it became “Straiton & Storm”. Between 1860 and 1871, it was the largest cigar factory in America.

Later, the living quarters where the Bohemian cigar makers lived, were rented out as stores. This was called the “Back Row”, which still stands till this very day. At the time, the cigar manufacturing industry made such a huge impact on Bayside. Then later the cigar factory turned in “The Club House” and a bowling alley and then later the “Sacred Heart Lyceum”. Eventually the cigar factory became storage sheds for Bayside Lumber Company. In January 9, 1990, the Cigar Factory was destroyed by a fire.

Willis, Walter I. Queens Borough: The Borough of Homes and Industry. New York, 1920.

*I ALSO GOT SOME OF MY INFO FROM MY FIRST HISTORICAL SOURCE.
Siclen, W. Alonzo Van. A Narrative History of Bayside. New York: Cultural Affairs, 1991.

First Historical Source

Sarah Kamboj

10/02/07

A Narrative History of Bayside

At first, the area was named “North Hempstead Turnpike” by John Lawrence meaning “Bay Side”. Then as the years went by it gradually became known as Bayside, due to the location of the Bay right beside it. The Bay has had such a huge contribution to Bayside bringing people from all over New York interested. People were emphasized to swim, sail, and fish along the Bay and were eager to own parts of the land. The Bay helped open up restaurants (mostly seafood) and help build a huge Resort for people to stay in. All the “big shots” celebrities and politicians came for the beautiful “Seaside” resort and to have its delicious food it was greatly known for.

Unfortunately, the inn burned down in 1907 but naturally people enjoyed Bayside so much that it led them to buy estates either near or on the water. In the summer, many young business people boarded with people who had permanently lived there to enjoy the cool breeze of the Bay. At first people tented near the Bay, then quickly it all started to change. Tents turned into shacks, which later became fairly comfortable summer cottages. These people weren’t at upper society but their behavior gave them a bad reputation. They had huge weekend parties that had all the neighbors complaining. These people were known as the “Squatters”. Then in 1925, the city took possession of Bayside, build a park and forced the “Squatters” to leave.

Siclen, W. Alonzo Van. A Narrative History of Bayside. New York: Cultural Affairs, 1991.

Interview Questions

I will be interviewing the owner of Joes Pizzeria in my neighborhood

1. How long have you lived in this neighborhood?
2. What do you like most about this neighborhood?
3. What attracts you to this neighborhood?
4. Have you seen any dramatic changes in this neighborhood?
5. How much of an impact does Cardozo High School have on your store?
6. When you remodeled, did it benefit you?
7. How many stores since you been here, opened and closed in this neighborhood?
8. Do you make of a lot of business having your store at this exact location?
9. Do you know most of your customers?
10. Have you franchise your store?

Bayside

Bayside has its many communities such as Oakland Gardens, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Lawrence Manor, Tall Oaks, Weeks Woodlands, Bell Court and Bayside Gables. At first, Bayside was filled with Italian families. Then later most of these communities in Bayside filled with Chinese, Greek, and Korean families. Many of these communities have modern development-style housing, privately gated community, mixed architecture, and larger apartment buildings.
Along with these beautiful communities are hundreds of acres of parks. Alley Pond Park, Fort Totten, Cunningham Park, Little Neck Bay running path and park, John Golden and Crocheron Parks, and Alley Pond Environmental Center has gorgeous picnic areas, hiking paths, several ball fields, and golf courses. Communities have parties, games, religious practices, sports, etc. here the parks of Bayside.

Bayside Real Estate prices went down in the past year for about 10 percent. Housing mostly consists of condos, co-ops, apartments, 1-family houses (semi and non-attached), 1-family houses, and 2-family houses. For co-ops, prices range around $150k-500k that consists of a 1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms. Condos prices range around $200k-&700k that also consist of a 1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms. 1-family housed (attached) prices estimate up to $400k+ and 2-family houses estimate up to $750+.

Bayside has the best schools in Queens such as Benjamin Cardozo High School, Bayside High School, and M.S. 74. In Bayside, you can find major banks such as Flushing Savings Bank and Washington Mutual along with health clubs such as Bell Plaza Sports Club. As many can tell, Bayside is defiantly one of the most beautiful communities in Queens.


About.com. "Bayside Queens Neighborhood Profile." John Roleke. <http://queens.about.com/od/neighborhoods/p/bayside.htm>