THE Grand Central Laundromat can be found on Parsons Boulevard, a major north-south road in the middle of Queens, and seemingly has nothing to do with Grand Central Terminal (I won’t shoot you if you cal it Grand Central Station; nitpicking like that drives me up the creek). We’re about 7 or 8 miles from GCT at this point…so, what gives?
The Grand Central Parkway of course, which runs from the Triboro Bridge generally east, south and then east again to the undefended Nassau County line, where it becomes the Northern State Parkway (which has been recently renamed plain Northern Parkway). It was among Robert Moses’ first major roads he built as NYC traffic czar. On the 1922 Hagstrom shown here, it was a line on a map, but in the early 1930s it was nearly built out to its current length. At first a bucolic country road, a literal parkway with plenty of green scenery and “Woodie” lampposts, it’s now a pedal-to-the-metal auto route. One of its original features still holds true: since its overpasses are low, it cannot accommodate trucks and buses except for the stretch between the BQE and the Triboro.
I find it somewhat amusing and perplexing that two major structures are called “Grand Central” in NYC that have absolutely nothing to do with the other! It’s pure coincidence, as GCT is in midtown Manhattan, and GCP cuts through the heart of Queens.
Next door to the Grand Central Laundromat we have the Par Central Motor Inn. No golf courses are nearby; it’s on PARsons Boulevard.
As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
2/9/22
16 comments
I would not call the dropping of the “State” from the name “recent” as it was about 20 years ago
Does the Par Central Motor Inn send its soiled linen to the Grand Central Laundromat? How many decades has this hot sheet motel existed? If memory serves me correctly, less than one mile west is a more upscale multi-story establishment that advertised itself openly in the Queens Chronicle. How ironic that you feature the Par Central as Valentine’s Day draws near.
I too have wondered about any connection between Grand Central Terminal and the namesake Queens parkway. I can’t find any connection, but offer this link if anyone wants to find out more information about the parkway: http://www.nycroads.com/roads/grand-central/
I drove on GCP this past weekend, and wish to report that the reconstruction at Kew Gardens Interchange is still underway, hopefully finished by the end of 2022. The reconstruction is needed to replace obsolete bridges and ramps, but unfortunately some of the classic stone arch bridges were razed as part of the work.
A piece about a laundromat and a hot bed motel. Tring to make the connection with forgotten New York.
Trying to make the connection why people tell me how to run the website after nearly a quarter century.
Woof. A little defensive, are we? I reserve the right to comment when I don’t think Forgotten New York is about forgotten New York. You can guillotine me if that’s a problem.
I think people may find the presence of a “Grand Central” something out in Queens weird if they’re not from Queens. George, if you think I am violating the purview of the website I established in 1999, I advise you to tell me what you believe it should contain, and I will consider myself properly admonished and try to do better.
That last thing I wrote is redundant but I can’t get rid of it. So, forget it. You are the editor.
Good reply, Kevin. Just keep up the good work
Kevin, I admire and am grateful for the tie and effort you iunvest in FNY, which is almost always interesting and informative. Thinking now that I should have just dismissed this piece with “Everybody has an off day.” I still disagree with your take on its relevance but, God know, I have no interest in a long-term project correcting and directing your efforts. I shall therefore try to adjust my perspective so that it conforms more closely with yours.
Well said Kevin
I didn’t know the name of the Northern State had been changed. Did they also change the Southern State to just Southern?
We are thinking of vacationing in Little Neck L.I. this year.
Can anyone suggest any nice restaurants there?
Are you serious? Little Neck is nice but it’s not a vacation destination. I live fifty miles east of Phoenix in a place called San Tan Valley. Like Little Neck it’s a nice place to live. In the winter months many vacation here because of the warm weather & the fact many communities like the one I live in have recreation areas featuring heated swimming pools, &”pickle ball” courts. There’s nothing like that in Little Neck. You could try an Air B&B deal at the Winsor Park Co-op in Bayside, which features a swim club & tennis courts (but the swim club is members only & unless the owner has paid the membership dues, you won’t be able to use it) Try a winter vacation in AZ instead.
They can’t drop ‘state’ from Southern State Parkway, as there already is a Southern Parkway in NY. Reminds me of when they were debating whether the Causeway in Robert Moses Causeway was the road or just the bridge, and signs went up with “Robert Moses Parkway” until someone pointed out that there is a Robert Moses Parkway (near Niagara Falls, I think) – so they had to cover up ‘Parkway’ with ‘Causeway,” which can be seen on some signs.
some of your readers and you yourself may enjoy an article on the grand central palace which was on lexington avenue near
grand central terminal as a part of the larger project known as terminal city.