“Whosoever has cats or dogs or hogs lying dead in any place to offend their neighbors they must bury them or throw them into the creek.” Those were the words spoken at an annual town meeting in 1662. They were the first recorded mention of Horse Brook.
Today we stand near the path of the buried Horse Brook in Queens. It is a waterway with a story that runs deep beneath the city. Though you can’t see it flowing, Horse Brook’s legacy is all around us.
Horse Brook once began near Kneeland Avenue and Codwise Place. From there it snaked its way through what is now Elmhurst. Imagine a time when this area wasn’t covered in concrete and buildings. Instead, a stream cut through the landscape.
The brook’s journey didn’t end there. Horse Brook continued its flow beneath what we know today as the Queens Center Mall. It also passed under the Rego Center Mall and LeFrak City. Think about that as you shop or visit these places. You are walking above a hidden piece of New York’s natural history.
Eventually, Horse Brook made its way to the Long Island Expressway. Finally, it emptied into Flushing Creek in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Flushing Creek then joins the East River.
The course of Horse Brook shaped the development of this area. In the early 20th century, large blocks avoided construction because of the high water table. These mega-blocks remained vacant until the 1960s. They became the sites for Queens Center Mall and LeFrak City. These landmarks stand as unintentional monuments to the brook’s former presence.
Look around. Notice the street grid. The path of Horse Brook created superblocks that defied the surrounding street grid. This anomaly hints at the water’s hidden course.
There are only a few visible reminders of Horse Brook. Horsebrook Triangle is a small park at 56th/Justice Avenues and 90th Street in Elmhurst. Libra Triangle is another small park at Justice Avenue and Broadway. These parks are located atop the approximate location of the buried stream.
Consider Newtown High School athletic field. This large undeveloped space sits atop Horse Brook’s former path. It is a green oasis amidst the urban landscape.
The stream was gradually covered in phases. Its water sources were cut off as the street grid of Queens expanded. By 1950, much of the brook was gone.
The story of Horse Brook reminds us of the ever-changing nature of cities. What was once a vital waterway is now hidden beneath our feet. Yet its impact remains visible in the landscape around us.
So next time you’re in this area take a moment to remember Horse Brook. Imagine the stream flowing. Think about the history that lies beneath the surface. It is a hidden piece of New York City’s past.