Stepping into Q Gardens, you’re not just in Queens, you’re at a crossroads. Q Gardens sits at the nexus of major roadways: the Van Wyck Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway, Union Turnpike, and Queens Boulevard. It’s even a stone’s throw from a Long Island Rail Road station with connections to two subway lines. Q Gardens is more than just a convenient location, though. It’s a neighborhood brimming with character. Q Gardens began as one of Queens’ planned garden communities, envisioned by Englishman Albon P. Man in the late 19th century. The land had a quirky past, housing a golf course until the Long Island Rail Road tracks sliced through it in 1908. A new station sprung up on Lefferts Boulevard in 1909, and Man’s sons, Aldrick and Albon Jr., decided to create a community inspired by the famous Kew Gardens of London. Hence the name, Q Gardens. The neighborhood quickly blossomed. In 1915, the Kew Bolmer apartment building rose at 80-45 Kew Gardens Road, followed by a clubhouse in 1916 and the Kew-Forest School in 1918. The roaring twenties brought elegant single-family homes and apartment buildings like Colonial Hall and Kew Hall. The arrival of the Queens Boulevard subway line in 1936 cemented Q Gardens’ connection to Manhattan, further fueling its growth. Today, Q Gardens boasts a mix of housing: million-dollar homes, co-ops, condos, and Mitchell-Lama buildings. Lefferts Boulevard, the heart of Q Gardens’ commercial district, offers a diverse array of attractions. Catch a film at the Kew Gardens Cinemas, a beautifully restored art deco movie theater. Browse the shelves at Kew & Willow Books, a treasured independent bookstore. Q Gardens even has a touch of Hollywood history. Did you know that Charlie Chaplin once called this neighborhood home? He resided at 105 Mowbray Place from 1919 to 1922. So, as you wander through Q Gardens, remember that you’re walking through a unique blend of history, convenience, and charm. It’s a place where garden city ideals meet big city access, a true Queens gem.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to