Prior to becoming part of New York City in 1898, Queens was primarily
a collection of villages scattered throughout farmland, and had no single
identity. As well, the borough had no single street naming pattern and
the names and numbers from village to village created a confusing map
of multiple Main Streets and Broadways.
In the 1920s, the borough of Queens copied the street grid pattern and
numbering system used in Philadelphia and renamed and renumbered most
of the streets throughout the country. This created a grid with streets
running roughly north and south and avenues running east and west. Street
numbers increased going east (from the East River) and avenue numbers
increased going south (from Long Island Sound.)
The new hyphenated numbering system is the only one in the five boroughs
that gives a descriptive coordinate of the location. The first two digits
are the cross street or avenue. The two digits after the hyphen are based
on simple numbering system -- so many feet are one lot, which is given
a unique house number. For wide lots they skip a number every so often
. Looking south, the odd numbers are to the left, and even numbers to
the right in ascending order.
Below is a comparison of Long Island City street
current names and former names. Select to sort list by current or former
name.
