Assembly Resolution No. 538
BY: M. of A. Rajkumar
commemorating the 188th Anniversary of the
neighborhood of Woodhaven to be celebrated on July
1, 2023
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities
which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 188th Anniversary of the neighborhood of Woodhaven in
Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, The area now known as Woodhaven has been inhabited for
centuries, having been the home of the Rockaway, Lenape, and Delaware
Native American tribes, followed by the Suydam, Wyckoff, Ditmar, Lott,
and Snediker families settling in the eighteenth century; and
WHEREAS, Woodhaven traces its inception to July 1, 1835, when John
R. Pitkin purchased land to found a community he named Woodville, which
in 1853 became Woodhaven in order to avoid confusion with another town
of the same name; and
WHEREAS, One of the pivotal developers of Woodhaven was Florian
Grosjean, who in 1863 established the Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing
Co. factory with his partner Charles Lalance, and then built a company
town with homes, churches, a park, and a library; and
WHEREAS, Today, Woodhaven is a charming neighborhood in Queens
boasting many stores and restaurants that are individually or family
owned, beautiful homes in the Victorian and Colonial styles, and
residents filled with love for their community; and
WHEREAS, The neighborhood is a suburban oasis in New York City,
replete with low density housing, low-rise commercial buildings, and one
of the largest tree populations in Queens; and
WHEREAS, Historic small businesses, some of which have operated for
over a century, abound in Woodhaven, including Neir's Tavern, Pop's
Restaurant, Manor Delicatessen, and Schmidt's Candy; and
WHEREAS, Woodhaven is home to numerous historic residences, houses
of worship, and other landmarks, including St. Matthew's Episcopal
Church, the Emanuel United Church of Christ, the Wyckoff-Snediker Family
Cemetery, the Crystal Manor Hotel building, the Queens Public Library
Woodhaven Branch, the Queens Fire Alarm Telegraph Station, the Woodhaven
Post Office, the Spear and Company Factory, and homes that are over a
century old; and
WHEREAS, The crown jewel of Woodhaven is the beautiful Forest Park,
founded in 1895, and known for its hiking and biking trails, Strack
Pond, the George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell, and the historic Forest Park
Carousel; and
WHEREAS, The neighborhood is a center of the arts, home to many
artists, the Woodhaven Art Circle, and frequent cultural events in
Forest Park; and
WHEREAS, Woodhaven is known for its diverse community of over
55,000, and was the home of notable people including Adrien Brody, Betty
Smith, Mae West, Barry Sullivan, and George Gershwin; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the neighborhood of Woodhaven continues its
commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its residents, ensuring a
positive business and social climate; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 188th Anniversary of Woodhaven to be celebrated on July
1, 2023, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play
in the life of the community of Queens, and the State of New York as a
whole; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to various Woodhaven organizations.
