Picture this. You are standing on Union Turnpike a major thoroughfare in Queens New York. This isn’t just any road. It’s a piece of Long Island history stretching from Myrtle Avenue in Glendale to Marcus Avenue in Nassau County.
Union Turnpike’s name is a tribute to the Union Racetrack a beloved Queens landmark of yesteryear. Can you imagine the excitement the thundering hooves and cheering crowds that once filled this area? Today the road itself is a testament to the area’s evolution. It’s a bustling artery connecting diverse neighborhoods.
Imagine traveling Union Turnpike’s 9.2 miles. You pass Forest Park a green oasis where New Yorkers seek respite. You’ll then see St John’s University a center of learning and community. Soon after you will pass Creedmoor Psychiatric Center a place dedicated to mental healthcare. The diversity is amazing isn’t it?
Union Turnpike’s history is rich. It began as a simple dirt road a toll road at that. It connected the towns of Flushing and Jamaica in relatively undeveloped areas. The construction of the Grand Central Parkway and the Jackie Robinson Parkway in the 1930s changed its use significantly. Before these parkways Union Turnpike was a vital route.
Then came a big change. In the late 1930s Union Turnpike underwent a transformation. It was paved expanded into a multi-lane highway. This was all in anticipation of the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The turnpike was even depressed below Queens Boulevard to accommodate the subway. This made Union Turnpike a much more important thoroughfare.
The road also carries a bit of a secret. Did you know that a section of Union Turnpike between Queens Boulevard and Marcus Avenue was once designated New York State Route 25C? This was from the mid-1930s until 1970. Today the designation remains in Nassau County. The road still carries the weight of history even if the designation is just a remnant.
The Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike subway station also sits nearby. This station itself is a marvel of engineering. Its platforms are nestled beneath a complex underpass and overpass system. Its design is one of the most unique subway stations in the city.
Today you stand before Union Turnpike a testament to time and progress. It’s a busy thoroughfare but it tells a story. It whispers of horse races vibrant communities and the evolution of Queens. Let us continue our walk and uncover more of this history.