Book Review of:
Jackson Heights
From Ice Age to Space Age
A History for Children
Today was a great day to stroll around Jackson Heights. I stumbled upon a store called Inner Peace. It's located on 79th Street and 37th Ave. As soon as you walk in you can smell the beautiful candles and incenses. They have many beautiful items you can purchase for all ages. Their toddler items were very cute.
I discovered a children's history book about Jackson Heights. It was published by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. It's called "Jackson Heights From Ice Age to Space Age."
Within the book, it describes Jackson Heights as a global village consisting of people from over 70 different countries. Imagine all the different languages spoken.
Despite being a children's book, the information it contains is just fascinating. For example, I had no idea that a large tribe of natives lived in an area that is now Laguardia Airport. It talks about artifacts that were found there before the airport was built and we do not know how much more are buried beneath. The book mentions the Maspeth family of the Rockaway Tribe that is thought to once dwell near the water along the airport. They along with other Long Island tribes formed the Montauk Federation. Reading these facts are just amazing.
So when did immigrants settle in Jackson Heights? The book explores what happened after a century our famous Columbus sailed his ships discovered alternative facts regarding Indians. For example, the Dutch were the first of the Europeans to settle and established a town called Vlissingen in 1645. This area is known as Flushing. Ever wonder why the Holland Tunnel is named Holland Tunnel? Well, perhaps that could be due to the Dutch West India Company as it mentions.
I like how this book reminds young kids and adults what some of the reasons why immigrants came to the United States. I wish many citizens would not forget this fact. The author also touches on how the natives respected nature and their shortcomings. Perhaps we should not be so naive.
The authors also touch on how great the Dutch were in allowing kinds of people to migrate and have the opportunity to own land and sell crops to Holland. This brought a wave of European immigrants including those that had already settled in Boston and elsewhere. Could this have been the beginning of our New York City's melting pot?
The book mentions mention historical figures including Dutch farmers Henryk Harmensen and Abraham Rychen, General George Washington, Charles P. Leverich, Willian Steinway, William Ehret, John C. Jackson, Edward Archibald MacDougall, and August Belmont.
Something that the book made me aware was how Jackson Heights has beautiful architecture, and everything was planned before. Each and every building or house is unique. Different materials are used. Bricks used are of many colors. Every buildings artwork is different. Styles used are from many places in Europe. Trees were planted. Shopping areas were designed. Private gardens were made. Jackson Heights had the world's first self-service elevators. Architects planned out Jackson Heights to that it never looks overcrowded, allowing a lot of light and fresh air. Many of the buildings have gardens in the back, front or sides.
Greco, Rudolph E., and Claudia Solomon. Jackson Heights from Ice Age to Space Age: A History for Children. Jackson Heights, NY: Jackson Heights Beautification Group, 1996. Print.
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