Woodhaven

In 1835, a man named John R. Pitkin had a dream. A dream of a sprawling new city called East New York, stretching from Brooklyn to Jamaica. Woodhaven, then called Woodville, was a key part of this dream, intended as a bustling hub of industry and agriculture. Here, amidst the lush woods that gave the area its name, Pitkin envisioned factories humming, farms flourishing, and homes for the workers who would power his new metropolis. He purchased land from old Dutch families, the Lotts, Van Siclens, Wyckoffs, and Snedickers, setting the stage for his ambitious plan. The Panic of 1837, however, dealt a crushing blow to Pitkin’s vision. The economic downturn forced him to sell off much of his land. Only Woodville remained, a small piece of the original grand design. Ironically, Woodville’s location proved to be its saving grace. Three major thoroughfares converged in Woodville: the railroad from Brooklyn to Jamaica (now Atlantic Avenue), the main road from Flushing to the Rockaways (Woodhaven Boulevard), and the Jamaica Plank Road (Jamaica Avenue). This transportation hub attracted businesses and residents. Hotels and restaurants sprang up to cater to travelers and race-goers attending the popular Union Course racetrack. By 1853, Woodville was thriving. The growing village applied for a post office, but was rejected. There was already a Woodville in upstate New York. Unable to have two post offices with the same name, the residents debated a new name for their village. Edgewood, a nod to the area’s dense timber, was a popular choice. Ultimately, however, Pitkin’s suggestion of Woodhaven prevailed. Woodhaven continued to grow, expanding south of Atlantic Avenue, in what is now Ozone Park. The Lalance & Grosjean tin factory, established in 1863, further solidified Woodhaven’s identity as a manufacturing center. Attracting French workers and their families, the factory played a central role in the community’s economic life. The Great Fire of 1876 destroyed the factory, but the resilient community rallied around Grosjean, rebuilding it with a prominent clock tower that symbolized their determination. While Pitkin’s dream of East New York never materialized, Woodhaven stands as a testament to his vision. It evolved from a rural farmland to a bustling village and later, a manufacturing hub. Today, Woodhaven retains its unique blend of urban and suburban character, a vibrant neighborhood with a rich history etched into its tree-lined streets.