TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Historical/Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Access Points

Guide to the Broad Channel Historical Society Collection
1910-1995
(Bulk 1910 - 1995)
Control # B-26

Finding Aid prepared by: Processed by Ian Lewis

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770

Historical/Biographical Note

The contents of the Broad Channel Historical Society Collection are all contained on five rolls of microfilm. The collection consists of donations from people within the Broad Channel community. There are several series within the collection that covers news clippings, documents, and photographs. The items were microfilmed in chronological order by year so a person could have donated all of their material at the same time but the material was arranged to fit the year range denoted for each reel.

Correspondence contains letters between various families and Broad Channel residents. A number of people who donated materials to the Broad Channel Historical Society also donated letters from people in their family that give an idea on what life was like in Broad Channel over the years. The letters are placed within each reel within the display of a particular families’ donation. They are not together on a reel on even within the same frames of a reel.

News Clippings make up the largest portions of the microfilm. The News clippings include stories on Broad Channel history or events that took place in the area. A lot of coverage is focused on the struggle of acquiring five year leases from the city of New York as well as the protest over residents being allowed to purchase the properties that they have lived on for years. The fifth microfilm reel in the collection consists almost exclusively of newspaper clippings.

Photographs are copied unto every single reel and highlight various places and times in Broad Channel history. Prominent locations such as St. Virgilius’ Church, Moran’s Hotel, the Broad Channel volunteer firemen’s firehouse, and the Bathing Park are all represented in the images displayed. The images also span various decades allowing viewers to see the progress of various businesses and homes.

When specified, names of the donating families and individuals are indicated within the collection inventory.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Broad Channel Historical Society Collection , Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Long Island Division Monday through Friday 10am through 5pm. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770

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Access Points

Subject Organizations:

• Broad Channel Historical Society

Subject Places:

• Broad Channel (New York, N.Y.)
• Queens (New York, N.Y.)

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Inventory

[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]

Microfilm Reel # 1 (Broad Channel in the 1920’s) (, )

NYC Map from Putnam Handy Map Book (1920, )

Census District 4 Enumeration District #381 (1920, )

Photos of the Steiner Family donated by Helen (Steiner) Heaphy (, )

Photos of Ms. Heaphy and her family near their home, with family and friends during various carnivals. Mainly around Noel Road, Cross Bay Boulevard, and Ninth Road Beach. (1919 - 1922, )

Bob Lattman donated articles from the Sarasota Herald Tribune. (, )

Cobblestone Road (, )

Rockaway Boulevard (, )

St. Virgilius Church (, )

Moran’s Hotel (, )

Broad Channel community (, )

Sigwalt’s Ball and Radio Store (, )

Komel Indians Certificate of Incorporation donated by Joe Carey (1925, )

Picture of Lafayette Boulevard (Now Noel Road) (, )

Images donated by Richard Ranft (, )

Construction of Cross Bay Boulevard (, )

Joe Paul’s Hideaway (, )

Sluice House on Cross Bay Boulevard (, )

Images of the Trotta Family and Ice Cream Parlor located at Cross Bay Boulevard at 8th Road Donated by Bill Schilling (, )

Broad Channel Corporation Brochure Donated by John McCambridge (, )

Images of O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy and the Schlagster (Slater Family) Donated by Edythe Oschmann Christie (, )

St. Virgilius Church Postcard Donated by Dottie James (, )

Images (, )

The Lipori Family on 15th Road Canal (1926, )

10-309 Cross Bay Blvd (, )

Slater Family 22 West 15TH Road (1926, )

16th Road Canal (, )

Saint Virgilius Church and School; Bishop Arthur Wolfert Brooks (, )

Long Island Daily Press Article on Christ Presbyterian Church (1956, )

Obit for Rev. B.L. Armstrong (1955, )

Postcard from the Broad Channel Corporation (1925, )

Water Rent Receipt (, )

Mardi Gras images donated by Adele Forbes Weitzman (1922, )

Forbes Ice Cream Parlor 1008 Crossbay Blvd. and Forbes Family Portrait. Images donated by Julia Forbes Mahoney (1926, )

Theis Family Photos (, )

Family Store located at 9th and Church (, )

Broad Channel Corporation Office located at 202 Noel Road (, )

Sail Boat Race (1920, )

10th Road Beach (, )

St. Virgilius School Graduation (1934, )

6th Road boardwalk (, )

Article on Broad Channel Fire (, )

Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge construction from the Brooklyn Eagle Almanac Donated by Marion Christie Hull (1926, )

Map of Broad Channel (, )

Queens Churches (, )

League of Nations Chronology (1925, )

Articles on Jamaica Bay Development, Highway construction (, )

Historical View of the Rockaways (1996, )

Long Island Railroad Trestle donated by John McCambridge Jr. (1927, )

Cross Bay Boulevard Article (1936, )

Poster for the “The Virgilians” (, )

Jerry Bourke Photos (, )

Focusing on family and West 22nd Road (, )

Yankee Boat Club located on 22nd Road (1926, )

Mary Weis Scalia Photos (, )

Family Photos (1926 - 1927, )

Church Road (1926 - 1927, )

Noel Road (1926 - 1927, )

Cross Bay Boulevard (1926 - 1927, )

Walter Road (1926 - 1927, )

Written “Memories of Broad Channel” Includes writings by Sal Lipori and Jerry Bourke (, )

Broad Channel History by Joe Carey (, )

“I remember” by Mae Weis Scalia (, )

“History of Broad Channel” by Residents of West 10TH Road compiled by Owen Devine (, )

Broad Channel: Last Sixty Years by Getrude M. McAleese Discusses the Fire Department, St. Virgilus Church, and Christ Church by the Sea (, )

College Writings (, )

Broad Channel: An Isolated Community by Patricia Murphy (1978, )

A History of Broad Channel by Sharon Seitz (1990, )

Development of Broad Channel Island by Peter Brassard (1993, )

“Sanctuary on the Subway” excerpt from Urban Wilds by Ogden Tanner (, )

Census Tract 1072.01 (1970, )

Microfilm Reel #2 (, )

Images of Cross Bay Boulevard donated by Jane Tribidy (, )

Images of a dance at McGuire’s Pavilion (June 14, 1930) donated by Anne and Frank Bassetti (1930, )

Vogel’s Menu located at 2002 Cross Bay Blvd donated by Steve Conklin (, )

“Field of Dreams” story (, )

Future of Jamaica Bay (July 1938) Department of Parks City of New York (1938, )

Bob Lattman Photos-Broad Channel Bath Pools (1935, )

Jerry Bourke Photos-Demarest Road (1933, )

Images (, )

John’s Dock (West 19th Road) after 1938 Hurricane (1938, )

72 West 18th Rd (1938, )

Sylvan Nook at E. 22nd (1938, )

Van Baunt (1938, )

Articles on local churches, clubs, real estate, parades, and accidents in Broad Channel (1932, )

Article on 1932 Hurricane (1932, )

Images of Shadcreek Road (, )

Broad Channel Corporation Letter (, )

Broad Channel Bathing Park Newsletters (1935 & 1937) donated by Joe Carey (1935 ,1937, )

Weis Family Photos and Letters (, )

Article for Jamaica Bay Plan donated by Don Riepe (, )

Department of Finance Receipts (1939) (1939, )

Apostolistic Episcopal Church Induction Certificate (1934, )

Images of Cross Bay Boulevard (, )

Broad Nut Club and Cardinals Baseball Team Images (1934) donated by McCambridge Family (1934, )

Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Association 25th Anniversary Portrait donated by Dolores and John Wagner (, )

1936 Mardi Gras Photos donated by Catherine Philips (1936, )

Broad Channel Democratic Club Photo with history (1938) donated by Maureen Duggan (1938, )

Rockaway Improvement Map (1939) Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (1939, )

“Life & Times in Broad Channel” (1940) by the Broad Channel Civic Association (1940, )

“The Banner” WWII Newsletter (1944) donated by George Riekers (1944, )

Image of Broad Channel Air Raid Wardens in front of Fire House donated by Frank Peters (, )

Image of Broad Channel Honor Roll (, )

News Articles on land sales, weddings, and personals (, )

LIRR Schedule (1947, )

Gerard (Jerry) Bourke Pictures (, )

East 22ND Road (, )

John’s Dock on W 19th Road (, )

“The Painted Rock of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge” by Kevin Hanley (, )

St. Virgillus School Class Picture (1954, )

Pictures of the Raunt and 1950’s storm damage donated by Bill Hock Jr. and Sr. (, )

Kinneary Family Images (1951-1952) donated by Ann (Slater) Kinneary (1951 - 1952, )

1958 Mardi Gras Programme donated by Gerry Bourke (1958, )

Transit Archive Photos (, )

Sand Land (, )

Progress on Concrete Trestle (, )

Construction of the Broad Channel Subway stop; Goose Creek (, )

Aerial Shots of Broad Channel (, )

Maureen Seewald Photos-Noel Road (, )

Jerry Bourke Firemen Images (, )

Map of Broad Channel (1957) donated by Henrietta Harnisher (1957, )

Fishing Party Images donated by Henry Johnson (, )

Ad & Altare & Dei Program Info Sheet (, )

Ladies Auxiliary of the Broad Channel Volunteer Fir e Department and Scout News donated by Gertrude McAleese (, )

American Legion Auxiliary Citation-Schedule of Events (, )

Aerial Views donated by John McCambridge Jr. (, )

Broad Channel Poem by John Hewins Kern (, )

Image of Grassy Point Social Club (1950) (1950, )

Image of the High Tide on West 13TH Road (1953) donated by the Lipori Family (1953, )

PS 47 Class images (, )

Bill Morris Photos (, )

Images after 1950’s Hurricane (6th and 10th Road) (, )

Moran’s Hotel (, )

Hotel West Side (, )

O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy (, )

Cross Bay Blvd. (, )

Memorial Day Parade (1953, )

Gerry Bourke Labor Day Photos (1952, )

Mardi Gras Photos (1953, )

Boy Scouts of America Program and Newsletters (1950, )

LIRR Information from 1880-1956 with articles (, )

PS 47 Articles (, )

Broad Channel Democratic and Republican Clubs with images and history (, )

St. Virgilius Church and School Information (1953) donated by the Lipori Family (1953, )

Class Pictures (, )

Graduation Program (1959, )

St. Patrick’s Day Dance (, )

Boathouse Bar & Grill Images (1950’s) (, )

Article on “the Raunt” from the Long Island Sunday Press (10/10/1954) donated by Gloria Marvin-Includes images of “the Raunt” after the 1950 hurricane (, )

Programs for Mardi Gras (, )

Bill Mauro Association Pictures (, )

Boy Scout Charters (, )

Images of the Broad Channel Fire Department donated by Mike Russo (, )

Microfilm Reel #3 (, )

Plane Crash Article (Crash on Jamaica Bay) Daily News March 2, 1962 (Edna and Willie Wiese) (1962, )

Mardi Gras Images from Jody Heaphy (1961 ,1967, )

Mardi Gras Article (1969, )

American Legion Memorial Day Parade Brochure/Program (Henritta Harnisher) (, )

Wave Articles (, )

Lipori Family Photos (, )

Family Summer (1963, )

Summer Camp (1960, )

Winter on Canal 13th/14th Rd. (1969, )

Margaret McCambridge Donation-Pictures and Articles (American Legion) (, )

Maureen Seewald Donations (, )

Broad Channel Chamber of Commerce (1966 - 1967, )

Famous Harveys Photo (1963, )

St. Virgilius Church-Programs and Hymns (1965, )

Broad Channel “Our Island Kingdom” Merry Christmas (, )

Articles about Broad Channel (1989, )

Unidentified School Class Picture (1962, )

Mildred & Harold Flanagan Photos (, )

Memorial Day (1965, )

Mardi Gras (1966, )

St. Virgilius Confirmation (, )

Articles on Church (, )

Honor Roll Memorial (1968, )

Rockaway Vote Breakdown (1968, )

Articles on Real Estate-Broad Channel Home & Property Lease (1966 - 1967, )

Jerry Bourke Photos-Hurricane Donna (1960, )

Life and Times of Broad Channel (1977, )

Articles on Jamaica Bay Refuge & Broad Channel Property Lease (1970 - 1971, )

Cross Bay Parking Bridge Image (1970, )

Article on Broad Channel Property (1971, )

Veterans Memorial Bridge Image (Aerial View) (1971, )

“Forests & Wetlands of New York City” by Elizabeth Barlow (, )

Judy McGee Donation of Photos-Broad Channel Ice Boating (1971, )

Newsday Article on Broad Channel (1972, )

Mardi Gras Photos-Democratic Club (1973, )

Article on Tip O’Neil’s visit to Broad Channel (1972 - 1973, )

Daily News Article on Jamaica Bay (, )

Broad Channel Volunteers, Inc. (, )

State Senate Meeting on Broad Channel (1973, )

Broad Channel Playground Committee Letters & Flyers (, )

Daily News Article on Auction of Sigwalt Estate (1974, )

“The Log” Broad Channel Historical Newsletter (, )

Portable Library Articles (, )

Mardi Gras Program (1975, )

Articles on Broad Channel (, )

Playing Field (, )

Athletic Club (, )

Daniel Tubridy Running for Assemblyman Petition (, )

Articles on the Repairs to Rockaway Subway Line (, )

Broad Channel Volunteers Financial Statements (1977 - 1978, )

Judy McGee Donation (, )

Images of Mardi Gras (1978, )

Scenes of Broad Channel (1978, )

Destruction of Buildings New York Times Article (1977 - 1978, )

Country Walks Brochure (Broad Channel Entry) (1980, )

Obit for Herbert Johnson; First Head of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (1979, )

Articles on Broad Channel Tolls (, )

Moran Hotel Image (1977, )

Articles on Ice Build Up Damage (, )

Mario Cuomo for Mayor Articles (, )

Images (, )

Brown House 16-13 Cross Bay Blvd. (1977, )

Train Station Beach (, )

59 W12th Road (, )

Harveys; 17-17 Cross Bay Blvd. (, )

19-03 Cross Bay Blvd. (, )

Tavern on the Bay (, )

Carousel (, )

St. Virgilus Parrish Hall & Rectory (, )

Noonans (, )

North Channel Yacht Club (, )

Church Rd. Rockaway Trestle (, )

Kroogs Luncheonette (, )

Grassy Point Bar (, )

Microfilm #4 (, )

Broad Channel Station & Drawbridge (“Old Queens, NY in Early Photographs”) (, )

Early Map of Jamaica Bay (, )

LIRR History written by Gertrude McAleese (, )

1907 Jamaica Bay Map (1907, )

History of the Railroad across Jamaica Bay (, )

Images (, )

Howard Beach Station (1934, )

Broad Channel (1914, )

Broad Channel Drawbridge (, )

Maps of Central Islands in Jamaica Bay (1911 - 1977, )

Jamaica Bay: A History by Fred Black (, )

Images of Fishermen’s Settlements (, )

Life Savings Certificate given to Owen J. Devine (, )

Story of St. Virgilius (, )

Images of Broad Channel from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (, )

Lease Agreement between the Dorscht Lodge Yard Club & New York City (1908, )

Driver Family Home 8th & Walton Rds. At Mardi Gras (1900, )

Image of a Garbage Wagon (, )

Photos & Letters from Mae Weis Scalia (, )

1916 Labor Day Parade (, )

Shad Creek (, )

Weiss Family (, )

1916 Mardi Grass (, )

Ladies Welfare Association Article (, )

Images of Boardwalks (1908 ,1912 ,1913, )

Department of Docks & Ferries Annual Report (1908, )

Listing of Renters (, )

Journal of Mid-Summer Festival (1910, )

Sponsors and Events (, )

Images Broad Channel Volunteer Firemen (1910, )

Forbes Homestead; 1008 Cross Bay Blvd. at Mardi Gras; Donated by Adele Forbes Weitzman (1912, )

Agreement between Broad Channel Corp & Landlord Henry Oschmann, Mae Herzog (1930, )

Image of Water Works Workers (1920’s, )

Water Analysis Report (1918, )

Broad Channel Red Cross Financial Report (, )

Tim Tubridy Photos (1918, )

Water Tower (, )

Broad Channel Station (, )

Palm Garden (, )

Sprorck’s Boardwalk (, )

Delevan House (, )

Atlantic Hotel (, )

Anabas Boat Club (, )

Station Plaza (, )

St. Virgilius Church (, )

John McCambridge Photos (, )

Trestle between Broad Channel & Rockaway (, )

Queens Capitol (, )

Post Office (8th Road) (, )

Lafayette Avenue (9th Road) (, )

Shad Creek Hotel (, )

10th Road Bathing Beach (, )

Jerry Bourke Photos; Bourke Family & Friends (1914, )

Rockaway Point Rod & Gun Club Account Book (1910 - 1914, )

German Club Photos-Donated by Daniel Aquilante (1919, )

Mae Bretscher Images & Documents (, )

Broad Channel Register (1919, )

St. Virglius (, )

Family Friends (, )

10th Rd Beach (, )

Mardi Gras (1919, )

Cross Bay Parkway Bridge-written by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (1970, )

Wave Articles (, )

Historical Views of Rockaways (, )

Area Development (, )

Jamaica Bay (, )

Broad Channel Volunteers 82nd Anniversary Dance Souvenir Journal (1907 - 1989, )

Images (, )

Mardi Gras (, )

Labor Day Parade (, )

Letter from the Mayor’s Office (, )

Christ Presbyterian Church Fair Pamphlet Donated by Maureen Sewald & Ed Smith (1983, )

Storm of 1985 Images (East 13th Road) (, )

Graph of Toll Increases on Cross Bay Bridge (, )

1985 Nynex Reverse Directory (Broad Channel Entry) (1985, )

Bill Morris Images - Sewer Installation (1987, )

Articles on 58 Million Structure to replace North Channel Bridge (, )

Toll Increase Articles (1989, )

Images of Bridge Construction (, )

Broad Channel Historical Day (1995, )

Broad Channel Beach Jamaica Bay Brochure-Broad Channel Historical Society (, )

Broad Channel Historical Day Guest Book Entries (, )

Microfilm #5 (, )

Information on lease #3635 (1939, )

Maximum Rent Notice (, )

Information on leases (, )

Long Island Daily Press (1944, )

City of New York Board of Estimates (1944, )

Articles on Private offers for Broad Channel Property (1946, )

Article on lack of Property and Sewers upgrades (, )

Article on Jamaica Bay Pollution (, )

Civic and United Organizations of Broad Channel (, )

Community Bulletins (, )

Notes and Activities (, )

Organizational Chart (Donated by Gerry O’Brien) (, )

Meeting Minutes (, )

June 3 (1967, )

August 2 (1967, )

August 15 (1967, )

December 3 (1967, )

March 10 (1968, )

Broad Channel Area Captains’ Letter (1967, )

Article on possible John F. Kennedy Airport extension (, )

Sample of letter to Mayor Lindsay regarding Broad Channel properties (, )

Various articles on Broad Channel residents protest for renewal of leases (, )

Various articles on approval of 5 year lease renewal on Broad Channel (, )

Various articles on New York City’s attempts to evict 7 Broad Channel families (, )

Articles on the property battle between Broad Channel and New York City (, )

Article of Broad Channel Residents fear of losing their homes (, )

Article on the adoption and rejection of the “gateway plan” (, )

Congressional Record-“Gateway Park Progress Report" (1972, )

Various Newspaper Articles (, )

Broad Channel Residents possible deal to purchase their own property (, )

Passing of the Wetlands Bill (, )

Governor Rockefeller signs bill allowing Broad Channel Residents to purchase their property (, )

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