“A Civil War veteran’s tribute in Queens. “That’s what Travis Triangle is,” I say. This narrow green space sits in the Murray Hill/Flushing area. It marks the spot where Murray Street and Murray Lane diverge. The Murray family once owned this land. They held it from the late colonial period into the early 19th century.
Now, let’s jump to 1932. The city’s Board of Aldermen made a decision. They chose to name this site Travis Triangle. It was a gesture to honor Ira Underhill Travis. He was a local Civil War veteran. He fought under the name Ira Wilson. He served in the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. They were also known as Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth’s Zouaves. Quite a name, right?
Ira Travis witnessed a dramatic event. It happened during the Union Army’s occupation of Alexandria, Virginia. His commander removed a Confederate flag at the Marshall House Inn. He was then killed. Travis kept a piece of that flag. It became a souvenir for his family.
Tragedy struck again in July 1861. Travis was wounded at the First Battle of Manassas. A bullet lodged in his shoulder. It stayed there for the rest of his life.
The arrival of the subway in Flushing changed everything. It was 1928. The neighborhood grew to the north and east. New parks sprung up to serve the growing population. Small parcels became green spaces. The city’s Parks Department maintained them. Travis Triangle was one of those spaces.
Today, Travis Triangle offers a quiet escape. It features plots for 24 trees. A bench sits on its northern side. Murray Lane continues north from here. It narrows, resembling a countryside lane. This lane has seen little change. The surrounding area has transformed. Farmland turned into residential neighborhoods.
No historical sign exists here. Many pass by without knowing the story. Ira Underhill Travis deserves to be remembered. He was a man who fought for his country. He carried a piece of history with him. He lived through conflict and change.
Let’s take a moment of silence for Ira Underhill Travis. He lived from 1839 to 1921. We honor his memory here at Travis Triangle. A small green space with a big story. His legacy lives on. It lives on in this quiet corner of Queens.”