DEFINING THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, NY THROUGH ITS PEOPLE
2.3 million people. As many as 138 languages spoken here. Over 125 different neighborhoods.
Northwestern Queens: Corona
Corona is a mixed latino lower middle class neighborhood in Queens. Corona derives its name from the crown used as an emblem by the Crown Building Company which developed the area in the 1800’s. The Italian immigrants who moved into the area referred by the Italian word for “crown”, “corona.” In the 1950’s Corona was primarily Italian American and an African American community. Jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Frankie Lymon & Louie Armstrong all once lived in Corona. Today Louie Armstrong’s home on 107th Street, has been turned into a public museum.
Pictured is the New York State Pavilion located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Pavilion was designed in 1964 for the New York World’s Fair. The Pavilion has been open to the public 3 times in the last 30+ years, twice this year for the 50th Anniversary of the World’s Fair.
In 1959 Kenneth & Corien Drew established the first African American newspaper in Queens titled “The Corona East Elmhurst News.”
The History section is in collaboration with Steve Vazquez of Queenscapes.