A Historic Look at Forest Hills, NY

The car accident lawyers in Forest Hills, NY, sponsor this article to present some detailed information about the neighborhood.

Forest Hills is a mostly residential neighborhood in Queens, NY. The area spans 2.6 square miles and hosts an approximate population of 83,728 with a population density of 34,886 per square mile. The charming neighborhood is home to private streets known as 'The Gardens' and located in ZIP code 11375.

History

Forest Hills was originally referred to as "Whitepot" by the European settlers in its early history. The name Forest Hills comes from the Cord Meyer Development Company who bought 660 acres in central queens and decided to name the area after Forest Park, a 538-acre park on the southern end of Forest Hills.

Forest Park is a key element of Forest Hills. The park was founded in 1895, and starting in 1896, the landscape architecture firm of Olmsted & Eliot was contracted to set a plan for the park.

By 1906, the Cord Meyer Development Company's 600-acre land was under development, and single-family homes, designed by architects Robert Tappan and William Patterson, were constructed.

In 1908, Margaret Sage, founder of the Russell Sage Foundation, bought 142 acres from the Cord Meyer Development Company. The land was used to create the Forest Hills Gardens, a stunning historical development on the south side of Forest Hills.

By 1910,  the roads of Forest Hills were laid out, and the present-day Ascan Avenue was named after Ascan Backus, one of the first settlers in what has become the Forest Hills Gardens.

Grosvenor Atterbury, a renowned architect, designed the Forest Hills Gardens. The neighborhood was planned to reflect England's garden communities and include narrow, winding roads to limit traffic. In the Gardens, you will find many Tudor-Style homes. The community was built using a prefabricated building technique, and each house was built with a brick courtyard, a clock tower, and an arch-filled underpass.

The Forest Hills Gardens has become a treasured area known for its beautiful landscaping, stunning homes, and private streets.

Due to the unique characteristics of Forest Hills, the area became well sought after, especially after Queens Boulevard was widened and the LIRR and subway stations opened in 1936. The area became the perfect location for a suburban-urban feel with easy access to Manhattan.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the neighborhood became more racially diverse, and discriminatory covenants for prospective Forest Hills Gardens residents were lifted.

Today, the neighborhood's LIRR and subway stations are popular for commuters, and the Forest Hills Gardens remains an oasis for residents.

Education

Aside from the area's stunning homes, well-landscaped streets, and easy access to Manhattan, Forest Hills is also home to many growing families. Consequently, the neighborhood offers residents fantastic public schooling. Some of the public schools include,

PS 101 School in the Gardens

• PS 101 is an elementary school serving 669 students in grades K-6 with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1. The school is well-beloved by Forest Hills residents and has ranked #286 (of 2,459) Best Public Elementary Schools in New York and #401 (of 2,797) Most Diverse Elementary Schools in New York.

JHS 190 Russell Sage

• Russell Sage is a middle school serving 1,078 students in grades 6-8 with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1. The school is highly rated and ranks #21 (of 1,468) Most Diverse Public Schools in New York; and #244 (of 1,325) Best Public Middle Schools in New York.

Forest Hills High School

• Forest Hills High serves 3,792 students in grades 9-12 with a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1. The school is highly rated, and 94% of students are at least proficient in math and 96% in reading. The school has been ranked #25 in Niche Standout High Schools in America, #15 Niche Standout High Schools in New York, and #35 Most Diverse High Schools in New York.

If you're looking for a neighborhood rich in history with stunning architecture, easy access into Manhattan, and great public schooling, then look no further than Forest Hills, NY.

Want to learn more? Check out:

The History and Community of Rego Park, NY

Our Local Office

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Trust the Forest Hills, NY, car accident lawyers to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact our legal team today for a free consultation.

Banville Law
104-68 Roosevelt Ave,
Queens, NY 11368
(347) 991-9542