This is part of a video about the history of St. John's Queens Hospital, from its early days in Hunters Point to its current location in Elmhurst. There is more information here.
Fascinating history. Bravo to Christina for sharing. I visited as a young shaver the old St.John's on Court Square back in the 1950's. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Astoria (where I attended grammar school) was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph as well. They took the class annually on a school trip to the old building to a "bazaar" that the hospital ran to raise funds. The building already really "creaked" in those days and smelled of agedness. What's to become of the present site on Queens Boulevard?
BTW does anyone remember the Boulevard Hospital on 31st Avenue in Astoria? I had my appendix removed there. It also closed and now I believe is being used as medical offices?
Yes, I remember Boulevard Hospital on 31st Avenue in Astoria. That doesn't go back that far--it was there until the late 1970s, I believe. I don't know if it was a huge loss although the remaining hospital in Astoria is a scary place. Maybe if it had some competition and a bit more, umm, breathing room, it wouldn't be so bad.
Can't wait to see the first lawsuits that result from people having to wait too long in the ERs of the remaining hospitals.
I knew Boulevard Hospital. Small private hospital, the sort of thing that could have done well as a specialty clinic. Knew one of its owners. I believe much of the management moved on to Physicians Hospital in Jackson Hts (a hospital founded by Dr. Tobin, parishioner of St. Joan of Arc and father of Nobel laureate in economics James Tobin).
I think Boulevard was shuttered in mid-85. I have one or two photos of it that I took on a walking tour about that time.
Born there in 1944, T&A 1951. It wasn't big then (later extension was larger than original building.) But, then, even as a kid, I remember how great the nurses were.
I was born in Boulevard Hospital on Feb. 17, 1956, at 10:57 a.m. My family lived on University Place in the West Village at the time, so I have no idea why my mother went to Astoria to give birth. Anything special about this hospital at the time?
Also, I've been searching for photos of Boulevard Hospital -- it would be cool to have some image of the place I was born -- but google searches are coming up empty. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi Paul, I can't imagine why your mother traveled to Astoria for your birth.I was born August 30, 1957 at 8:04 P. M. Ironic though that you know time of birth, most people I know haven"t a clue. I"ll look for a picture, but it's a long shot. Thanks for feedback.
I worked at Boulevard when I was 16-19 (1966-1969) in the x-ray department. Believe it or not I helped with barium enemas, developed the films and took patients from their rooms to the x-ray department. I saw alot of naked rear ends for a young girl. We were paid $1.75/hr. Worked on Saturdays and sometimes in the summer. The head of the department was "Eddie" - think his las name began with a "K". Working there was alot of fun and most of us were young kids.
I am so glad people are still keeping Boulevard's memory alive. It's amazing that it was fun working there, even though the actual job doesn't seem desireable. Kudoes to Astorians, from back in the day.
I guess I meant it was "fun" in that we worked with a great group of people and even though we were young we took our jobs very seriously. A couple of the girls went on to become nurses.
I was born at boulevard Hospital May 7 1954 at 5AM. I later had my tonsils out there when I was 5. My Doctor was Bruno Grossman and he made house calls, climbing 2 flights of stairs to see my step throat.
Hey Bruno, I remember being sick with what was probably a bad cold. When I was four years old, I remember Dr. Carlucci climbing four flights of stairs on a weekemd night to treat me. Those were the days. Linda '57
I had an emergency surgery in Boulevard Hospital in March of 75, I remember the nurses were so wonderful, I was pregnant with my son at the time and they treated me like royalty, I later gave birth there at mid night on 8/29/75,fond memories, the nurses were wonderful, one night nurse came around every night to rub my back with some menthol gel, you sure don't get that kind of service anymore these days. My Dr. Ditmar made house calls too, he was an older gentleman then he had to drive from Astoria to Elmhurst where I lived, don't recall of him charging me an arm and an leg back then. Those were the days!!! J. Stanek
I was born in Boulevard Hospital in 1952. Also had my appendix removed there when I was 18. I believe it opened in 1930 and closed in the summer of `1985.
I was born in "Boulevard' 6/26/50 11:08 Am, had surgery there after returning from Woodstock in "69". Fell in love with a Candy Striper who changed my dressing. Both my children were born there in the early 70s. My wife loved the place.
Is there anyone with a photo of the hospital willing to send it to me? My son Nicolas was born there in 1981, his Doctor was Nicholas Arabus and our birthing nurse was Sheryl Nicholas. I would surely appreciate it, for my son's history. yapronto@yahoo.com. Thank you!
I was born at St Johns on December 11 1990 I was born 1lb 8oz 12 inches and drug dependent if anyone knows of the NICU nurses or doctors that worked in the hospital around this time it would be amazing to speak to you.. you can email me at dtrezz11@live.com
I was also born at Boulevard Hospital in August of 1968. My family resided in Forest Hills and I wish I knew more about the area, as I did not grow up there.
My mom was a nurse there from the early seventies until they closed in 1985. She loved working there. It had a great staff that prided itself in taking exceptional care of its patients.
I always knew I was born in the Queens but I did not know where? So then yesterday I was going thru old papers my Mom kept (she is long since deceased) and low and behold I found by original birth certificate which I had never seen before! It says I was born at the Boulevard Hospital Dec 11, 1948 by a doctor William London. The hospital it says is located at 31 Ave and 46 St. Long Island City. I googled that address and did street view and can see what looks like the hospital now a group of doctors offices. It matches a picture on my birth certificate.
Worked there as a RN from 1965 u till it closed. Staff were like family. We loved our patients and took pride in our work. Everyone helped each other. Each floor was unique and repeat patients had favorite units and would request to be admitted to. them Everyone from admitting to head nurses and doctors would try to accommodate them. After all these years I still miss Boulevard. EVH
40 comments:
Fascinating history. Bravo to Christina for sharing. I visited as a young shaver the old St.John's on Court Square back in the 1950's. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Astoria (where I attended grammar school) was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph as well. They took the class annually on a school trip to the old building to a "bazaar" that the hospital ran to raise funds. The building already really "creaked" in those days and smelled of agedness. What's to become of the present site on Queens Boulevard?
BTW does anyone remember the Boulevard Hospital on 31st Avenue in Astoria? I had my appendix removed there. It also closed and now I believe is being used as medical offices?
Yes, I remember Boulevard Hospital on 31st Avenue in Astoria. That doesn't go back that far--it was there until the late 1970s, I believe. I don't know if it was a huge loss although the remaining hospital in Astoria is a scary place. Maybe if it had some competition and a bit more, umm, breathing room, it wouldn't be so bad.
Can't wait to see the first lawsuits that result from people having to wait too long in the ERs of the remaining hospitals.
I knew Boulevard Hospital. Small private hospital, the sort of thing that could have done well as a specialty clinic. Knew one of its owners. I believe much of the management moved on to Physicians Hospital in Jackson Hts (a hospital founded by Dr. Tobin, parishioner of St. Joan of Arc and father of Nobel laureate in economics James Tobin).
I think Boulevard was shuttered in mid-85. I have one or two photos of it that I took on a walking tour about that time.
Yes, Boulevard Hospital, I was born there in 1980.
I was born there on May 18, 1949.
I was born there November 17, 1963
Born there in 1944, T&A 1951. It wasn't big then (later extension was larger than original building.)
But, then, even as a kid, I remember how great the nurses were.
I remember Boulevard, was born there in August 1957, and it was still functioning in 85-86. I miss that time and the Astoria I knew.
I was born in Boulevard Hospital on Feb. 17, 1956, at 10:57 a.m. My family lived on University Place in the West Village at the time, so I have no idea why my mother went to Astoria to give birth. Anything special about this hospital at the time?
Also, I've been searching for photos of Boulevard Hospital -- it would be cool to have some image of the place I was born -- but google searches are coming up empty. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi Paul,
I can't imagine why your mother traveled to Astoria for your birth.I was born August 30, 1957 at 8:04 P. M. Ironic though that you know time of birth, most people I know haven"t a clue.
I"ll look for a picture, but it's a long shot. Thanks for feedback.
I worked at Boulevard when I was 16-19 (1966-1969) in the x-ray department. Believe it or not I helped with barium enemas, developed the films and took patients from their rooms to the x-ray department. I saw alot of naked rear ends for a young girl. We were paid $1.75/hr. Worked on Saturdays and sometimes in the summer. The head of the department was "Eddie" - think his las name began with a "K". Working there was alot of fun and most of us were young kids.
I am so glad people are still keeping Boulevard's memory alive. It's amazing that it was fun working there, even though the actual job doesn't seem desireable. Kudoes to Astorians, from back in the day.
I guess I meant it was "fun" in that we worked with a great group of people and even though we were young we took our jobs very seriously. A couple of the girls went on to become nurses.
I was born at boulevard Hospital May 7 1954 at 5AM. I later had my tonsils out there when I was 5. My Doctor was Bruno Grossman and he made house calls, climbing 2 flights of stairs to see my step throat.
Hey Bruno, I remember being sick with what was probably a bad cold. When I was four years old, I remember Dr. Carlucci climbing four flights of stairs on a weekemd night to treat me.
Those were the days.
Linda '57
I had an emergency surgery in Boulevard Hospital in March of 75, I remember the nurses were so wonderful, I was pregnant with my son at the time and they treated me like royalty, I later gave birth there at mid night on 8/29/75,fond memories, the nurses were wonderful, one night nurse came around every night to rub my back with some menthol gel, you sure don't get that kind of service anymore these days. My Dr. Ditmar made house calls too, he was an older gentleman then he had to drive from Astoria to Elmhurst where I lived, don't recall of him charging me an arm and an leg back then. Those were the days!!!
J. Stanek
I was born in Boulevard Hospital in 1952. Also had my appendix removed there when I was 18. I believe it opened in 1930 and closed in the summer of `1985.
Born there in 1947
I was born in "Boulevard' 6/26/50 11:08 Am, had surgery there after returning from Woodstock in "69". Fell in love with a Candy Striper who changed my dressing. Both my children were born there in the early 70s. My wife loved the place.
Born there April 17, 1950 via Dr. Hilda Ratner, the best ever. House calls, no problem. Miss the old neighborhood.
Born there April 1950 via Dr. Hilda Ratner. She was the best!!
i might have been the last one born there, being that i was born july of 1985
Is there anyone with a photo of the hospital willing to send it to me? My son Nicolas was born there in 1981, his Doctor was Nicholas Arabus and our birthing nurse was Sheryl Nicholas. I would surely appreciate it, for my son's history. yapronto@yahoo.com. Thank you!
I also would like to see a picture of the hospital. I was born there Oct 14 1983 at 2:55AM. I now live in Costa Rica!
I was born at St Johns on December 11 1990 I was born 1lb 8oz 12 inches and drug dependent if anyone knows of the NICU nurses or doctors that worked in the hospital around this time it would be amazing to speak to you.. you can email me at dtrezz11@live.com
I was also born at Boulevard Hospital in August of 1968. My family resided in Forest Hills and I wish I knew more about the area, as I did not grow up there.
2 of my children born at Boulevard August 61 and Jan1 63. Dr's Rosenberg, Franco and Marcus....
I was born there 1955.
My mom was a nurse there from the early seventies until they closed in 1985. She loved working there. It had a great staff that prided itself in taking exceptional care of its patients.
I am Boulevard Hospital class of 54. lol. I was born Nov 7 1954 at 4:45pm. Dr David Herkus
I always knew I was born in the Queens but I did not know where? So then yesterday I was going thru old papers my Mom kept (she is long since deceased) and low and behold I found by original birth certificate which I had never seen before! It says I was born at the Boulevard Hospital Dec 11, 1948 by a doctor William London. The hospital it says is located at 31 Ave and 46 St. Long Island City. I googled that address and did street view and can see what looks like the hospital now a group of doctors offices. It matches a picture on my birth certificate.
I was born there May26, 1955. Dr. David Herkus.
I left my tonsils there in 1954
I was born in this hospital on August 5 1955. I never knew where it was or anything about it until I googled it .
I was born there February 1977, wish there were more photos of the place.
I was born there on July 1st 1963. Dr. Bara was my moms doctor. I remember he had a nurse named Pat.
Worked there as a RN from 1965 u till it closed. Staff were like family. We loved our patients and took pride in our work. Everyone helped each other. Each
floor was unique and repeat patients had favorite units and would request to be admitted to. them
Everyone from admitting to head nurses and doctors would try to accommodate them. After all these years I still miss Boulevard. EVH
I was wondering did it have an emergency room? and when was the second wing added? was the hospital modern for its time?
My doctor was Dr. H. Federbush 1952. His office was only a few blocks away from Boulevard Hospital. Great Doctor
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