Astoria Heights Queens

Astoria Heights, also known as Upper Ditmars and part of East Elmhurst, is bordered by Hazen Street to the west, La Guardia Airport to the east, Bowery Bay to the north, and Astoria Boulevard and the Grand Central Parkway to the south. It primarily consists of quiet middle-class neighborhoods with one- and two-family private homes.

The Riker-Lent Homestead, located near the north end of Astoria Heights at 78-03 19th Road, holds historical significance. Built around 1655 by Abraham Riker under a patent from Nieuw Nederland’s last governor, Peter Stuyvesant, it is believed to be the oldest remaining dwelling in New York City still used as a residence. There is an adjacent family cemetery. The Smiths, who purchased the house in 1975, have been restoring it for many years. While an annual public tour used to be offered by the owners for the benefit of a local historical society, it has since ceased to occur. Before Prohibition, North Beach featured dance halls, picnic areas, and amusement park rides.

Notably, ragtime composer Scott Joplin is buried across the Grand Central Parkway at St. Michael’s Cemetery, which occasionally hosts ragtime concerts.

The Rikers Island Bridge, connecting to New York City’s main prison, Rikers Island, begins at the north end of Hazen Street. Although technically in the Bronx since New York City took it over from Long Island City in 1884, after annexing the South Bronx but before consolidating Queens, Rikers Island receives its mail from the East Elmhurst (ZIP Code 11370) station of the Flushing Post Office, similar to Astoria Heights.