Slipping between Hamilton Beach and Howard Beach, Hawtree Basin whispers secrets of a bygone era. Hawtree Basin, a quiet haven tucked away in Queens, New York, wasn’t always the serene waterway you see today. Originally, Hawtree Creek flowed freely into Jamaica Bay, a natural boundary between these two neighborhoods. Imagine the scene in the early 1900s: the buzz of activity as workers dredged the southern end of the creek, reshaping the landscape to create the Hawtree Basin we know and love. This transformation wasn’t just about aesthetics. It created a protected harbor, a place where small boats could bob gently, safe from the open waters of Jamaica Bay. Long before the dredging, even before the neighborhoods took shape, Hawtree Creek drew people to its shores. During colonial times, fishermen, seeking a livelihood from the rich waters of Jamaica Bay, built simple shacks along the creek’s edge. These weren’t grand homes, but practical shelters, a testament to the hardiness of those early settlers. Today, remnants of this spirit remain. Many homes lining Hawtree Basin have their own private docks, a modern echo of those early fishing shacks. As you stand here, picture those early fishermen casting their nets, their lives intertwined with the rhythms of the tides. Hawtree Basin holds not just water, but the echoes of generations past, a testament to the enduring connection between humans and the natural world.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to