COLUMBUS PIZZA, ASTORIA

by Kevin Walsh

HERE’S a shot from the descending staircase at 31st Street and Astoria Boulevard at the elevated train serving the N and sometimes W. The elevated was built and opened in 1917 above 31st Street, which has been a street of many names as had its brother Astoria Streets. It has been called Debevoise Avenue, then 2nd Avenue when the elevated was built, and since the 1920s, 31st Street as the entire borough streets and addresses were renumbered.

I noticed this pair of illuminated signs for Columbus Pizza. The pizzeria is no longer there and has since given way to Astor Deli and Market. These type signs must be difficult to remove since you see a number of them surviving long after their parent establishments have moved out.

Why Columbus Pizza? Here, we’re across the street from Columbus Square, which features one of the many statues of Christopher Columbus found around town. One day, I’ll have to gather them all on the same page.


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10/31/24

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