Ascan Backus House
Ascan Backus house. Sign in front reads "Entire Plot for Sale, Cord Meyer Development Co."
hand written on back of print: Ascan Backus House yellow & white standing on large grounds on the nw corner Queens Boulevard + Kelvin St still occupied by family. Cord Meyer Development Co owners 1923. Ascan William Christian Backus was born in 1814. Came to America in 1829 died march 18 1880 married Mary A. Beethan son John E. Backus was born at family homestead Newtown 1846 married 1873 Phoebe L Vnanderveer daughter of Isaac W Vanderveer + granddaughter of John R Pitkin. Mary Elgin daughter of Ascan Backus married 1874 Dr J. Howard Lever. Fred D. Backus owner 1934 died about 1937 Newtown April 1923
Queens Public LibraryMACDONALD PARK Queens Boulevard between Yellowstone Boulevard and 70th Road Monument: William Henry Deacy, 1934
Queens Boulevard was expanded gradually over many years, beginning in the early 1920s. After an expansion phase in 1931, this small park was formed. In 1933 it was named after Captain Gerald MacDonald (1882-1929), a World War I veteran and Forest Hills resident who was held in great esteem by the community. Toward the park’s eastern end is the Gerald MacDonald statue, which was designed by architect William Henry Deacy, sculpted by MacDonald’s brother-in-law, Frederic de Henwood, and unveiled in 1934.
Historic Districts Council