😂 The Cinderella Man fight actually took place at the Madison Square Garden Bowl which was just on the other side of the Sunnyside Yard tracks and sat 72,000 people.
Great piece - loved it. I lived in Sunnyside for 12 years. Appropriately, my stop on the 7 train was 46th Bliss Street. Even though my apartment wasn't exactly blissful, it always gave me a smile to come home to Bliss.
I grew up in Astoria but Sunnyside, to me, was where my family went to eat White Castle hamburgers. I remember riding by the Sunnyside Arena but never went to anything there.
I read that the White Castle has been there since the '40s though it got literally picked up and moved a couple of blocks over at some point. People love it!
This is great. Btw the ultimate ode to Sunnyside was recorded by Finsta Bundy, an almost-forgotten 1990s rap group associated with the Boot Camp Clik (Black Moon, Smif-n-Wessun etc.)
Just listened—great track! Thanks for the rec! Aside from the gigs at the Coventry, the only Sunnyside music history I knew was that Bix Beiderbecke was living there when he died.
Rob, I always hesitate to open your posts, because I know that the next twenty minutes of my day are about to be co-opted by your fabulous geo/social/cultural histories. Your writing and images are enthralling. They are perfect web material; they would also make for a fantastic book, IMHO. Thanks for claiming chunks of my waking and skimming hours.
Thanks for this. I'm a big fan of this kind of granular urban history. All the best cities in the world are made up of communities and neighbourhoods that evolve through the people and stories that leave their mark there.
Only been to New York once (stayed in Williamsburg) but it left a powerful impression, and these neighborhood sketches give the kind of vivid sense of place that you get from good travel writing.
Also, really interesting selection of images to go with it.
Great article. I've been here for 7ish years and its a mini utopia in queens. I am on the greenpoint side so I don't have access to the gardens but the people and vibe are wonderful nonetheless :)
What an interesting neighborhood. I loved the shots of the train bridge from 1917 and 2025. It's hard to imagine that much desolate, open space in Queens.
"I want to fight in an epic championship boxing match! Where's my opponent?"
"Sir, this is a Wendy's."
If I recall correctly, one of the climactic boxing matches in the movie Cinderella Man took place at the Sunnyside Garden Arena.
😂 The Cinderella Man fight actually took place at the Madison Square Garden Bowl which was just on the other side of the Sunnyside Yard tracks and sat 72,000 people.
Great piece - loved it. I lived in Sunnyside for 12 years. Appropriately, my stop on the 7 train was 46th Bliss Street. Even though my apartment wasn't exactly blissful, it always gave me a smile to come home to Bliss.
Thanks Rich! Sunnyside seems like a pretty nice place to live. Especially if you can score a key to the park!
Indeed. I was always envious of those folks. I had a rent-controlled apartment on 45th Street. So no amenities :)
p.s. Just discovered your publication and am diggin' it!
Good to hear!
I grew up in Astoria but Sunnyside, to me, was where my family went to eat White Castle hamburgers. I remember riding by the Sunnyside Arena but never went to anything there.
I read that the White Castle has been there since the '40s though it got literally picked up and moved a couple of blocks over at some point. People love it!
This is great. Btw the ultimate ode to Sunnyside was recorded by Finsta Bundy, an almost-forgotten 1990s rap group associated with the Boot Camp Clik (Black Moon, Smif-n-Wessun etc.)
Just listened—great track! Thanks for the rec! Aside from the gigs at the Coventry, the only Sunnyside music history I knew was that Bix Beiderbecke was living there when he died.
Rusty can holding up window a/c 🚨🚨
The archive grows!
Rob, I always hesitate to open your posts, because I know that the next twenty minutes of my day are about to be co-opted by your fabulous geo/social/cultural histories. Your writing and images are enthralling. They are perfect web material; they would also make for a fantastic book, IMHO. Thanks for claiming chunks of my waking and skimming hours.
Hi George, so nice of you say! So glad you are following along!
Thanks for this. I'm a big fan of this kind of granular urban history. All the best cities in the world are made up of communities and neighbourhoods that evolve through the people and stories that leave their mark there.
Only been to New York once (stayed in Williamsburg) but it left a powerful impression, and these neighborhood sketches give the kind of vivid sense of place that you get from good travel writing.
Also, really interesting selection of images to go with it.
Researching these neighborhoods has really been a rewarding process. So many stories just beneath the surface. Thanks, Ian!
Great article. I've been here for 7ish years and its a mini utopia in queens. I am on the greenpoint side so I don't have access to the gardens but the people and vibe are wonderful nonetheless :)
Thanks Kristen! Sunnyside seems like a great place to live.
I really love this series. It must be so much work to put together.
Is it work if it’s fun? Thanks Hanz!
Thanks Rob, another great read (and watch)
Thanks Lucy!
What an interesting neighborhood. I loved the shots of the train bridge from 1917 and 2025. It's hard to imagine that much desolate, open space in Queens.
I love living in Sunnyside
Thank you for this interesting and well-researched (as usual) piece about my neighborhood!
Another great piece! A photo of Haystacks Calhoun was not on my Neighborhoods bingo card.
One of my favorite Jonathan Lethem novels, Dissident Gardens, is rooted in Sunnyside Gardens.
Thanks Rob!