The statue of Christopher Columbus, which stands at the apex of Columbus Park, was sculpted by Angelo Racioppi, and donated by the New York City WPA (Works Progress Administration) Art Project. The seven-foot tall, bronze statue, which was dedicated on October 12, 1941, depicts a youthful Columus at the helm of a ship, and is set on an angular cast stone base suggestive of a boat prow. Nearby a tablet, promising the later delivery of the statue, can be seen inset into the pavement.
The statue provoked public bickering at the time between Queens Borough President George U. Harvey and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981). At a May 1941 meeting of the Board of Estimate in which plans for the statue were discussed, Harvey referred to Moses as an “appointed official who couldn’t be elected as dogcatcher.” Moses responded in a letter, “I have no thought of running against you for dogcatcher. The job is right up your alley.” Later, Moses wrote, “We don’t think the statue looks like anything we have read about Columbus, or that as a piece of symbolism it represents anything associated with Columbus. On the other hand, just as a piece of sculpture without any particular significance, it is not objectionable.” Harvey replied, “Anything Moses doesn’t design himself, he thinks is no good.” The seven-foot tall, bronze statue depicts a youthful Columbus standing at the helm of a ship.
This statue of Columbus is one of five located in New York City parks; the others are in Central Park and Columbus Circle in Manhattan, Columbus Park in Brooklyn, and D’Auria Murphy Park in the Bronx. The park and monument are often the focal point of the local Columbus Day parade and attendant festivities.
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But for Columbus There Would be No America
On this site will be erected a monument to Christopher Columbus.
This tablet dedicated on October 12, 1938 by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens & Allied Societies.
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The City of New York acquired the land that is now Columbus Square on July 19, 1910, in the Hoyt Avenue condemnation proceedings. The park lies at the intersection of Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria Avenue, 31st Street, 32nd Street, and the Triborough Bridge approach. On February 11, 1914, the land was conveyed to Parks by resolution of the Sinking Fund, a City program that held property in order to secure repayment of the city’s debt. On April 1, 1930, the Board of Alderman named this small park Columbus Square. Columbus Square features planting boxes, trees, benches, brick walkways, an entrance to the elevated subway line, a flagpole, a tablet promising a monument, and the statue of its namesake, Christopher Columbus. On June 18, 1987, Parks renamed this small sitting park Columbus Triangle to be more geometrically accurate.
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In the late 1800's, large numbers of Czech and Slovaks fled the oppression of Austria-Hungary and made their way to America--many to Astoria, Queens. In 1892, the Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society was formed, named after the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia in the Holy Roman Empire. Two adjacent lots, part of a farm, were purchase and on October 1, 1910 the cornerstone of Bohemian Hall was laid. Bohemian Hall was actually built in three sections. What is today the entrance was the first Hall, but it soon became obvious more space is needed. The Sokol Gym or Main Hall was added, and in 1919 the outside Bar and Park were finished--just in time for prohibition.
Today, just a block from the elevated N train, the Boehmian Hall and Beer Garden survives as the last large outdoor beer Garden in New York City. The proud facade looks like the Czech and Slovak cultural center that is, but attached is a small bar and the impressive garden--a wide-open space, surrounded by a high wall, seating several hundred people comfortably at picnic tables shaded by big old trees.
Tags: New York City NYC Queens Astoria Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden bohemian hall beer garden bohemian beer garden bar czech slovak ny New York
In the late 1800's, large numbers of Czech and Slovaks fled the oppression of Austria-Hungary and made their way to America--many to Astoria, Queens. In 1892, the Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society was formed, named after the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia in the Holy Roman Empire. Two adjacent lots, part of a farm, were purchase and on October 1, 1910 the cornerstone of Bohemian Hall was laid. Bohemian Hall was actually built in three sections. What is today the entrance was the first Hall, but it soon became obvious more space is needed. The Sokol Gym or Main Hall was added, and in 1919 the outside Bar and Park were finished--just in time for prohibition.
Today, just a block from the elevated N train, the Boehmian Hall and Beer Garden survives as the last large outdoor beer Garden in New York City. The proud facade looks like the Czech and Slovak cultural center that is, but attached is a small bar and the impressive garden--a wide-open space, surrounded by a high wall, seating several hundred people comfortably at picnic tables shaded by big old trees.
Tags: New York City NYC Queens Astoria Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden bohemian hall beer garden bohemian beer garden bar czech slovak sign ny New York