Why do they call it Whitestone? The answer lies beneath our feet. Dutch settlers named Whitestone for the limestone along the East River. Seventeenth-century wills mention “the white stone” as a landmark.
Now, let’s journey through Whitestone’s past. Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, once owned much of this land. During the Revolutionary War, the British raided his estate. Lewis wasn’t home but his wife was captured and his house burned.
For a time, Whitestone was even called Clintonville. This was in honor of Dewitt Clinton, a former New York governor. You can still see this name on Clintonville Street.
In the late 1800s, wealthy New Yorkers built mansions here. This area was once farmland and woodland. The 1920s saw rapid development thanks to expanded trolley and train service.
Though the train service ended during the Great Depression, it wasn’t all bad. Robert Moses used part of the old railway for the Belt Parkway. This parkway includes the Whitestone Expressway, which runs through Whitestone.
Did you know Whitestone had an airport? Flushing Airport was near here but it closed in 1985.
The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, completed in 1939, further spurred growth. Its center span measures 2,300 feet. It was the fourth-longest bridge in the world when built.
Let’s talk about Malba. It is a subsection in northern Whitestone. The name comes from the founders of the Malba Land Company. Their surnames were Maycock, Alling, Lewis, Bishop, and Avis. Malba is known as one of the most affluent communities in Queens.
The first known resident of Malba was David Roe. He came from England in the 1640s. By 1683, Roe owned 35 acres. His farm was on the east side of what was then called Roe’s Cove.
In 1786, John Powell bought Roe’s land. Roe reportedly lost his land due to his loyalty to the crown during the American War of Independence. Powell built a house and the cove became Powell’s Cove.
Later, some of Powell’s land went to Harry Genet. He was a member of Tammany Hall. Powell’s house burned down in the 1890s.
William Ziegler, president of the Royal Baking Powder Company, acquired the land around 1883. It became known as the Ziegler Tract. After Ziegler died, William S. Champ and W.C. Demarest formed a Realty Trust to develop the land.
The Malba Land Company was formed with trustees Samuel R. Avis, Noble P. Bishop, George W. Lewis, David R. Alling, and George Maycock. Development started slowly in 1908. A railroad station was added on 11th Avenue. The railroad station closed in 1932.
Jane Champ Park, located by Malba Drive and 11th Avenue, was dedicated in 1969.
Whitestone has many points of interest. There is St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Grace Episcopal Church was built in 1858 on land donated by Francis Lewis’s family. The Whitestone Hebrew Centre was founded in 1929. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, built in 1968, has a distinctive blue onion dome.
Several companies have operated out of Whitestone including Kinemacolor Company of America and Fairchild Recording Equipment Corporation. Lee Kum Kee International Holdings Ltd., Glacéau, and White Rock Beverages also have a presence here. The World Journal and Queens Tribune newspapers have also been based in Whitestone.
So as you explore Whitestone, remember its rich history. From its limestone shores to its famous residents, Whitestone offers a unique glimpse into New York City’s past.