Jackson Heights A Garden in the City: The History of America's First Garden and Cooperative Apartment Community

by Daniel Karatzas

An architectural history of Jackson Heights, New York, a 20th Century planned neighborhood in Queens. It was designed based on the principles of the garden city movement and developed during the early- to mid-Twentieth Century. Jackson Heights began as an exclusive community for Manhattanites fleeing the congested urban core. Today, Jackson Heights is a diverse, middle class neighborhood and designated historic district in New York City.

192 pages

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mike Violano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a rather selective architectural history of a portion of Jackson Heights, Queens. It is actually the story of the Queensboro Corporation and the rise of a planned garden apartment community circa 1920-30s. Although published in 1990, the last chapter ends in the 1950s. Early chapters covering the dawn of the 20th century when the area was farmlands providing fruits and vegetables to New York City were well done. The story of public transit coming to the area and the elevated subway were also worthwhile. I spent my early childhood in Jackson Heights; I was looking for something more "historical" and culture-rich.

[Jbryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photos and old real estate advertisements are really interesting. JH A Garden in the City is a quick read, covering only the first 50 years of Jackson Heights' emergence as a NYC neighborhood. However, it left out the history on the building where I reside, so I feel slightly short changed.