John E. Lockwood House, June 3, 1927. Lockwood, a commission merchant who had previously lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn, purchased this Astoria mansion upon his retirement in 1864. The estate was previously owned by a Sanford, but does not appear on the 1840 J. Price Map of the Villages of Astoria & Ravenswood. In his retirement, Lockwood became a member of the Astoria Board of Village Trustees, and was appointed, at times concurrently, as Police, Health, and Fire Commissioner, while refusing to run for public office. In his lifetime, Lockwood’s estate included grounds between Broadway, 30th (which was renamed Lockwood Avenue, having previously been called First Avenue), and 31st Streets. Today, the building is hemmed in by 20th century apartment buildings.

Presbyterian Church of Astoria, 1927. The Presbyterian Church of Astoria began services in 1846 in a local schoolhouse. Within a year the congregation had planned and funded a Gothic style church with a tall steeple. That building served as the church until after the First World War, when it became apparent that the community needed a larger building. The cornerstone for the church seen in this photograph was laid in 1922. The church was a Georgian style (which made it look older than its actual construction) and was deigned by a Flushing architect named A. Edward Richardson. By 2000 the congregation had severely depleted. The building itself was in need of extensive and expensive repair. The church decided (with much opposition from the community and local preservationists) to demolish the church in favor of a new complex with senior citizen housing, a pastor’s residence, a day care facility and a smaller church space which would allow for community activities and events.

Most Precious Blood Church, 1932. This 1932 church was designed by architects Henry J. McGill & Talbot F. Hamlin. Hamlin was not only a practicing architect but also a noted architectural historian and founder of the Avery Architectural Library at Columbia University. McGill was known for his intricate detail work, which can been seen in the limestone facade carvings, the stylized cross motif above the entrance, and the neo-Byzantine arched entrance surround of this church. Perhaps the most unique feature of the church and a specific indicator of the time of its construction, is the Art Deco metalwork that crowns the tower. The metalwork depicts a repeating pattern of abstract peacocks and flowers and was meticulously restored in 2011.

“Adam Krakenberg, Wagon and Auto Blacksmith,” June 2, 1927. Entrance to the adjacent apartment building is visible at left. The ramshackle workshop was likely demolished shortly after this photo was taken.