The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has unveiled new historic district markers recognizing the Addisleigh Park Historic District in St. Albans, Queens. LPC Executive Director Lisa Kersavage joined state and city officials, along with representatives from the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation, Historic Districts Council, and the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, to commemorate the installation.
Developed in the early 20th century, Addisleigh Park was initially planned as an exclusively white suburban-style neighborhood. Beginning in the 1940s, Black families challenged racially restrictive covenants and established a thriving community that later became home to prominent musicians, athletes, and civic leaders. Among its notable residents were Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Fats Waller, James Brown, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, Roy Campanella, and Percy Ellis Sutton. The neighborhood includes more than 400 homes built between the 1910s and 1930s, representing Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts architectural styles.
The newly installed terracotta–colored markers, produced by the NYC Department of Transportation, feature a map of the district and a concise history of its development. Sponsored by the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation and the Historic Districts Council, five markers were placed throughout the neighborhood as part of an ongoing initiative to promote public awareness of New York City’s designated historic districts.
“Addisleigh Park’s history is a testament to the families, artists, educators and civic leaders who built a community grounded in excellence and perseverance,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “Preserving this legacy ensures that future generations understand the significance of this neighborhood and the trailblazers who called it home.”
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Looks like you have to climb up that pole to get close enough to read marker.