CHEVY CHASE STREET, Jamaica Estates, Queens

by Kevin Walsh

Chevy Chase Street runs through the semi-ritzy Jamaica Estates neighborhood in eastern Queens between Union Turnpike and the Grand Central Parkway. Needless to say, it was named  a few decades before comedian Chevy Chase gained fame by imitating President Gerald Ford’s legendary pratfalls on Saturday Night Live in 1975.

Chase, whose real name is Cornelius Crane Chase, likely took his stage name from the Washington DC suburb, Chevy Chase, Maryland, just north of town. That location, in turn, was probably named for a Scottish song, The Ballad of Chevy Chase, that recollects a  14th Century British hunting party in the Cheviot Hills, Scotland, that prompted the Scottish Earl of Douglas to attack the party, believing it to be an invasion.

10/7/13

14 comments

dave c. October 6, 2013 - 8:05 pm

Jamaica Estates is not “semi-ritzy”, Kevin, it is quite ritzy, and always has been since I was a babe in Flushing.

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John T. Chiarella October 7, 2013 - 7:07 am

Not all of Jamaica Estates is between the Grand Central Parkway and Union Turnpike. The “boot-shaped” part of Jamaica Estates starts on the north side of Hillside Avenue, between Homelawn Street and 188th Street. Donald Trump’s parents lived on the west side of MIdland Parkway, one house south of the southwest corner with Henley Road. (I lived at 176-15 Henley Road (next to the Invictus Triangle), and used to deliver their groceries). On March 14, 1986, after having been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, former Borough President, Donald Manes stabbed himself to death (now THAT’S dedication) in his home at 80-65 Chevey Chase Street. Contrary to popular belief, Mario Cuomo did not live in Jamaica Estates, but, rather, lived in neighboring Holliswood…on Sancho Street. He was easily spotted while driving through the area in his Checker Marathon!

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William H January 5, 2022 - 7:53 pm

Thanks for clearing that one up! I mean not to take away from the actor Chevy, which I thought it was named after
He isn’t Street name worthy
Joey Ramone yes
Chevy nah

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George Cassidy October 8, 2013 - 1:16 pm

Think the ill-fated Donald Manes lived on Chevy Chase when he was Queens beep. He was the mayor of Union Turnpike back in the 1980s, walk up and down it every Saturday morning, pressing the flesh

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William H January 5, 2022 - 7:55 pm

Interesting, he took his life in Flushing Meadow Marina
Local 3 loved him

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SIMON October 9, 2013 - 8:57 am

I USED TO LIVE HERE IN THE EARLY 80’S, THE ENTIRE AREA WAS A WONDERLAND IN THE FALL , HALLOWEEN ESPECIALLY. I EVEN USED THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT THE OLD HOLLISWOOD HOSPITAL RIGHT NEAR BY. CIRCA 1982.

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Mitchell Pak October 9, 2013 - 4:49 pm

I think Mario Cuomo had a residence around here when he was governor.

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George Cassidy October 10, 2013 - 5:59 am

He lived in Holliswood.

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eugene pacinella April 18, 2014 - 7:52 am

when I was 18,19 i used to use the main road through jamaica estates as a shortcut. i liked driving through and looking at the scenerery. they had their oun street lights, it was a nice ride. at night the kids in the neighborhood would get on both sides of the street and pretend to pull a rope across the street when they saw cars coming in order to get the cars to stop ,then they would laugh and run . Im 69 now s o we are talking about 1963 0r so. I wonder if those kids remember their pranks.

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jeanne einhorn November 12, 2014 - 10:10 am

Just came back from a two mile walk through the Estates. It is still a storybook wonderland of old Tudors, but there are teardowns and McMansions everywhere. Eventually it will all be gone.

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Joanne December 14, 2017 - 11:05 pm

Yes, you’re right. I grew up in that neighborhood. It’s not as if all the houses were so beautiful before, but enough of them were to create lovely streetscapes, great for walking or riding a bicycle through. Many of the lovely houses are still there, but in more places you’ll find incredibly oversized and tacky houses popping up like mushrooms after a rain. It’s so sad to see. They really are ruining the neighborhood.

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Carol MN October 8, 2017 - 4:21 pm

Just took a drive thru the area near Jamaica High this summer, as well as near the Catholic monestary near there, and some of the area close to Hillside Ave is starting to show the same ‘rot’ as below Hillside Ave. We also drove up 188th street to the Grand Central & a lot of those homes are now crap looking. Sad. You wonder if Jam. Estates & Holliswood will survive or not.

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Elizabeth Shelley October 8, 2017 - 6:10 pm

Loved on Marengo St and Dunton Ave. from 1977-1980- in Holliswood Gardens! It was a lovely place to live

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Elizabeth Shelley October 8, 2017 - 6:10 pm

Lived, and loved! Lol!

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