DEFINING THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, NY THROUGH ITS PEOPLE
2.3 million people. As many as 138 languages spoken here. Over 125 different neighborhoods.
Southeastern Queens: Laurelton
Laurelton is a upper middle class African American neighborhood, modeled after an English village. Dominated with Tudor-style homes, Laurelton is primarily a residential area.
Pictured is the Queens Christian College located at 226th Street & Merrick Boulevard. Back in the late ’80’s in crack epidemic NYC, this was known as the “Montana Corner”. This was the headquarters of drug kingpin Thomas “Tommy Montana” Mickens. The NYPD credits Mickens with being the smartest drug dealer in the Queens, because he poured his drug profits into legitimate businesses.
Each year Laurelton holds a Veterans Memorial Day Parade starting from Francis Lewis Blvd and Merrick Blvd. Bernard Madoff the mastermind of the biggest Ponzi scheme in the world was a born and raised native of Laurelton, Queens.
The History section is in collaboration with Steve Vazquez of Queenscapes.