Did you know that the area where Hammel Community Center stands has a rich history? It began as a summer getaway. Today Hammel Community Center is a vital part of the Rockaway Peninsula.
Hammels is an area within Rockaway Beach. It sits in Queens, New York City. The community centers around Beach 84th Street. Beach Channel Drive is its main road. The A train runs through Hammels on the IND Rockaway Line.
Hammels got its name from Louis Hammel. He was a local landowner born in 1836. He played a key role in the area’s development.
Originally, Hammels was a summer community. Boardwalks connected the bay and ocean shores. Garret Eldert’s Eldert House hotel was a popular spot. It faced the bay on Beach 85th Street. Louis Hammel leased the hotel in 1869.
The New York, Woodhaven & Rockaway Railroad was built nearby in 1880. The hotel provided land for the Hammels station. This station gave the whole community its name.
Fifth Landing was a dock in front of the hotel. Boats from the Iron Steamboat Company stopped there regularly. As Rockaway’s popularity grew, more people stayed year-round. In 1897, Hammels joined with Hollands. They became the Village of Rockaway Beach. In 1898, Rockaway Beach became part of Greater New York. The five boroughs joined together to create New York City.
The Hammel Houses are located near the Hammel Community Center. The New York City Housing Authority operates them. They were finished in 1955. The Hammel Houses have 700 apartments. These apartments are in 14 buildings. The complex covers 14 acres. It lies between Beach 81st and 86th streets. It also sits along Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach Channel Drive.
In the early 1900s, Hammels was a popular summer spot. People came from Manhattan and Brooklyn. They visited for day trips and vacations. The railroad station was often crowded. People flocked to the beaches.
As cars became more popular, Hammels began to decline. People sought less crowded beaches. Parks like Jones Beach State Park accommodated cars. By the 1930s, many beachgoers went elsewhere. Hammels became the beach for those using public transit.
In an attempt to improve Far Rockaway, the city demolished buildings. They replaced them with new housing. The New York City Housing Authority bought land for the Hammel Houses in 1952. This was one of the early projects.
Today, Hammel Community Center and the surrounding area continue to evolve. They blend history with modern life. The community retains its unique charm. It offers a mix of old and new for residents and visitors alike. As you explore Hammels, remember its past. Think about Louis Hammel and the early days of Rockaway Beach. The Hammel Community Center stands as a testament to this enduring legacy.