I am a native of Flushing and my father worked in downtown Flushing for more than thirty years. I remember when Flushing had a bus terminal (where Macy’s is now) and when trolleys ran on Main St. I have been living in the same apartment in Central Flushing (opposite the 1661 Bowne House) since 1978 and personally experienced the demographic transition from older folks of European heritage to younger Asians. I’ve been leading walks in and around Flushing for nearly 30 years.
Religion on the Land: Issues in Flushing
Flushing is the site of North America’s first proclamation of religious freedom: the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657 and the oldest extant house of worship in New York State: the Quaker Meeting House of 1694. The area is now the site of many new churches, temples, and mosques due to both a surge in the needs of contemporary immigrants and the availability of sizable plots of land in once-elite residential areas. We’ll discuss the ecological and economic problems engendered by the new churches as well as the uncertain status of historic religious institutions.
North Flushing-Whitestone-Malba Ramble
A three mile walk through diverse upscale well-landscaped residential neighborhoods usually best with spring or fall foliage. More walking, less commentary than a typical walking tour. Ramble departs from Kingsland (Queens Historical Society) and includes admission to exhibits. This walk features the intense “cathedral” building activity by immigrants in North Flushing, remnants of the old village of Whitestone, and the McMansionization ot wealthy waterfront Malba. Returns to Central Flushing (and points south) by bus.
The Right-of-Way of the Flushing Central Rail Road
Did you know that a rail road once ran from Flushing to Hempstead? It functioned for only a few years in the 1870’s but its right-of-way lives on in parks and streets that don’t conform to the Queens grid! We walk the phantom rails from Central Flushing to Creedmoor (Queens Village) in two leisurely segments of about three miles each through parkland and pleasant residential neighborhoods that mask historical anomalies!
1. Flushing to Fresh Meadows: Begins at Queens Botanical Garden entrance on Main St, Flushing and ends in Fresh Meadows Shopping Center.
2. Fresh Meadows-Hollis Hills-Queens Village: Begins at Fresh Meadows Shopping Center and ends at bus connections to subways in Flushing and Jamaica.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Covers the historical and ecological setting of Queens’ largest park, and its previous incarnations as a salt hay meadow, a refuse dump, two World’s Fairs, and site of the United Nations. Transportation and access issues at the park periphery are also discussed.
Cross Listings
Tours involving Flushing described in other categories
| Tour | Category |
| Vlissingen | Nieuw Nederland |
| Willets Point | Planning and Redevelopment |
| Flushing’s Koreatown | Changing Cultures of Queens |
| Flushing’s Chinatown | Changing Cultures of Queens |
| Flushing’s Main Street | Changing Cutures of Queens |
| Three Chinatowns | Adventures |
| The World of the #7 Train | Life Along a Subway Line |