Queens Then and Now: Jason Antos Captures the Changing Face of New York's Most Diverse Borough

Queens, New York City's largest and most diverse borough, is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes. Photographer Jason Antos has spent years documenting the borough's ever-changing face through his "Queens Then and Now" project, which juxtaposes historical and contemporary photographs to reveal the borough's dynamic evolution.

Queens (Then and Now)

by Jason D. Antos

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37383 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	164 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Antos's project began in 2010, when he stumbled upon a collection of vintage postcards depicting scenes from Queens. Intrigued by the borough's rich history and the ways in which it had changed over time, he began to pair the postcards with contemporary photographs of the same locations.

The resulting images are a fascinating visual record of Queens' transformation. They show how the borough's once-rural landscape has given way to dense urban development, how its immigrant communities have shaped its culture and economy, and how its infrastructure has evolved to meet the needs of its growing population.

Antos's photographs also capture the human side of Queens' story. They show people going about their daily lives, working, playing, and interacting with each other. Through these images, we get a glimpse of the borough's resilience, diversity, and spirit.

The "Queens Then and Now" project is an ongoing one, and Antos continues to add new images to his collection. As Queens continues to change, his photographs will provide a valuable record of its evolution.

Image 1: Queens Plaza, 1910 and 2010

This image shows Queens Plaza in 1910 and 2010. In 1910, Queens Plaza was a busy intersection surrounded by low-rise buildings. By 2010, the area had been transformed into a major transportation hub, with the Queensboro Bridge, the Queens Midtown Tunnel, and the 7 train all converging at the plaza.

Image 2: Flushing Meadows Park, 1939 and 2019

This image shows Flushing Meadows Park in 1939 and 2019. In 1939, Flushing Meadows Park was the site of the New York World's Fair. By 2019, the park had been transformed into a major recreational area, with the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Queens Museum, and the New York Hall of Science all located within its borders.

Image 3: Jackson Heights, 1923 and 2023

This image shows Jackson Heights in 1923 and 2023. In 1923, Jackson Heights was a newly developed neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial buildings. By 2023, Jackson Heights had become a vibrant and diverse community, with a large population of immigrants from South Asia and Latin America.

Image 4: Chinatown, 1895 and 2015

This image shows Chinatown in 1895 and 2015. In 1895, Chinatown was a small and isolated community. By 2015, Chinatown had become a major cultural and economic center for New York City's Chinese American community.

Image 5: Long Island City, 1950 and 2020

This image shows Long Island City in 1950 and 2020. In 1950, Long Island City was a primarily industrial area. By 2020, Long Island City had been transformed into a major residential and commercial hub, with the Queensboro Bridge Park and the Gantry Plaza State Park both located within its borders.

Jason Antos's "Queens Then and Now" project is a fascinating visual record of Queens' transformation. His photographs show how the borough's landscape,

Queens (Then and Now)

by Jason D. Antos

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37383 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	164 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE