All Aboard The Seven Line

Photos by Gloria Sanders Our next stop on the "International Express" brings us to Hunters Point, named after George Hunter, the owner of this part of the area in 1825.

An industrial center, Hunters Point nevertheless has enough residential zones to make commuter ferry service across the East River to Manhattan feasible since 1861, when the Long Island Rail Road ferry terminal moved here from Brooklyn. Today, residents of the vintage brownstones and new high-rise buildings can take the NY Water Taxi from Hunters Point to Wall Street's Pier 11 and get an extraordinary view of the Big Apple's skyline as a bonus.

During the early 1900s the neighborhood underwent another transportation transformation when elevated subway lines and the Queensboro Bridge were built. By that time the neighborhood had long since ceased to exist as a separate entity, as Hunters Point joined Ravenswood, Astoria and Steinway to form Long Island City in the 1870s.

Hunters Point is noted for the 19th-century brownstones that make up the Hunters Point Historic District, the courthouse that is home to the New York State Supreme Court 11th Judicial District and the beautiful firehouse and police station that were featured in the TV series "Third Watch". Residents visit the local restaurants and bars for entertainment and shoppers frequent the many small boutiques in the area.

As we go towards our next and final stop, Vernon Boulevard, we will see more of Manhattan from one of the newest of New York's state parks, Gantry Park, while capturing the experience and essence of Queens.