An Abbreviated History of Astoria

Astoria's history dates back to 1652 when Dutch and English settlers arrived in the area originally inhabited by the Lenape people. The neighborhood was officially named in 1839 after John Jacob Astor, America's first multimillionaire, who invested heavily in the area. When Queens was consolidated into New York City in 1898, Astoria began its transformation from a collection of small villages into a thriving urban community. The opening of the Queensboro Bridge in 1909 and the construction of the first subway tunnel to Queens in 1917 dramatically increased the neighborhood's accessibility, spurring rapid development. During the 1920s and 1930s, Astoria became the center of America's film industry, with Famous Players-Lasky (later Paramount Pictures) establishing studios that produced silent films featuring stars like Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. The neighborhood experienced significant waves of immigration throughout the 20th century, beginning with Greeks in the 1960s and 1970s, who established what became known as "Little Athens" along 30th Avenue and Ditmars Boulevard. Subsequent decades brought Italian, Egyptian, Brazilian, Bangladeshi, and more recently, young professionals seeking affordable alternatives to Manhattan. Today, Astoria thrives as Queens' largest neighborhood, home to over 78,000 residents representing more than 100 nationalities, while maintaining its distinctive character through preserved architecture, waterfront parks, and a vibrant culinary and arts scene that reflects its multicultural heritage.