Named for its central spot between Williamsburg and Jamaica, Middle Village holds stories richer than its simple moniker suggests. Settle in, friends, as we uncover the layers of this Queens neighborhood.
Middle Village was established around 1816. People of English descent first settled here. The area got its name because it was the midpoint between Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Jamaica, Queens. This was along the Williamsburgh and Jamaica Turnpike, now Metropolitan Avenue.
Initially, Middle Village remained sparsely populated. The large Juniper Swamp dominated the landscape. During the American Revolutionary War, this swamp served as a hiding place for American soldiers evading the British.
After the Civil War, Middle Village transformed. It became a predominantly German neighborhood. The Williamsburgh and Jamaica Turnpike became a free road in 1873. In 1879, St. John Roman Catholic Cemetery was established. Hotels and services sprung up to cater to cemetery visitors. The western section of Middle Village was even known as “Metropolitan” before World War I.
The Juniper Swamp’s fate changed in 1915 when it was filled in. In 1920, as part of a revitalization effort, the area was renamed “Juniper Valley.” Shortly after, a gangster named Arnold Rothstein bought 88 acres of this land. He put up house facades and tried selling them. He even tried selling the land to the city for an airport.
A housing boom in the 1920s changed Middle Village. Farmland was consumed and developed. The area became continuous with its neighboring communities. Two major builders shaped the area. These were the Nansen Building Corporation and Baier & Bauer. Charles Baier began with the Parkville Homes in 1927. This was a group of 30 homes at Juniper Valley Road and 77th Place. Baier and August Bauer built 150 single-family row houses by 1928.
Today, Middle Village retains a strong sense of community. Many families have lived here for generations. The population in Middle Village has been consistent. There were 28,984 residents in 2000 and 28,981 in 1990.
Middle Village is home to several points of interest. Metro Mall stands on Metropolitan Avenue. It is a tri-level shopping center. Once, the C.B. French Company built telephone booths here for AT&T. The Frank T. Lang Building is at Metropolitan Avenue and 69th Street. It was built in 1904 by Frank Lang. Lang built mausoleums and monuments. Niederstein’s restaurant was a local favorite until it was demolished in 2005.
Middle Village also has significant green spaces. Juniper Valley Park, built in 1930 on the former Juniper Swamp, offers recreational activities. The Pullis Farm Cemetery, a small burial plot in Juniper Valley Park, dates back to 1846.
Middle Village’s story is one of transformation. From a swampy hideout to a thriving residential community, it has retained its unique character. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of a close-knit neighborhood.