Greater Astoria Historical Society
 The neighborhoods of LIC |
Indeed, there does exist a Greater Astoria Historical Society. And, well, they have a fabulous site, full of pictures and LIC history.
Their guide to the LIC neighborhoods is interesting -- it's different from everyone else's. Of course, nobody has a single definition of LIC and environs, of its included neighborhoods and its historical identity. "Long Island City" is a region, including such districts as:
Half these places are borderline enigmas. If the average New Yorker could point out Laurel Hill on a map, it would be a serious shock. One thing is for sure, "Blissville" is likely to be a very un-blissful place. A quick look at the map suggests that it's nestled between the three great cemeteries of Queens.
The other great thing about this site is the photos--old and new. They put up scans of old drawings and maps from buildings like the Pennsylvanian Railroad Power Plant, or the IDC building when it was still a biscuit factory.
PS1 then and now.
The history of Hunter's Point in particular is interesting -- since that is what most people recognize as the heart of the LIC zone. It has been overlooked, more or less miraculously, and nothing of any major significance has ever been constructed on land that is remarkably close to Manhattan, and in the last few decades very well-connected.
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