Northwestern Queens: East Elmhurst

East Elmhurst is a diverse lower middle class neighborhood in Northwest Queens. During the 1960’s East Elmhurst was a popular place for legendary African American leaders. It was also a hotbed for political and social activity. Currently, East Elmhurst has been tabbed, the most stable neighborhood in New York City. Censuses show that residents of East Elmhurst stay in their homes longest of all NYC neighborhoods.

Pictured is LaGuardia Airport located off the Grand Central Parkway. Named after former NYC Mayor Fiorella La Guardia in 1953, LaGuardia is considered one of the worst major airports in the world due to it being regularly overcrowded.

On February 15, 1965 at 2:30am a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the house located at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, the home of the late civil rights leader Malcolm X.


The History section is in collaboration with Steve Vazquez of Queenscapes.