By Brian M. Rafferty
Queens is a borough steeped in history—a well-documented historical tradition that is kept alive by the retelling of classic tales, the rekindling of old ideas and the reprinting of classic moments.
This issue deals with the third idea most of all. The TimesLedger newspapers have a history that dates back to the beginnings of the Bayside Times 67 years ago. From the days of hot type and manual lettering to the modern era of computer-assisted layout, the content has been something Queens residents have craved.
Over the years, newspapers in Queens have come and gone. The Long Island Press is no more, Newsday went away for a while but came back stronger than ever, the Little Neck-Douglaston Times was devoured by the Little Neck Ledger, and most recently the Queens Alternative began publishing last week.
In 1989, TimesLedger Newspapers Publisher Steven Blank bought the Bayside Times and the Little Neck Ledger, and in less than 10 years expanded to cover communities in more than half of Queens. In 1992, the Flushing Times was launched, and ventures into southern Queens began in 1994. In 1997 the first of four newspapers to open in Western Queens, the Forest Hills Ledger, was opened.
In 2002, we celebrate not just the 5th anniversary of the Forest Hills Ledger and the 10th anniversary of the Flushing Times, but the ongoing history of Queens.
A remarkable place to live, Queens is symbolic of all American history. Named after Queen Catherine, the borough was originally settled by the Dutch. Under Governor Peter Stuyvesant, the Flushing Remonstrance was drafted, stating that no man should be persecuted simply because of his religion. This basic statement became the foundation for the concept of freedom of religion—a tenet that, arguably, has drawn more immigrants to this country than any other.
When America fought its revolution, it was fought on Queens farms; when soldiers were sent off to war, they were sent from Queens homes; and when the new art for of film making was developed, films were made in Queens.
The history of Queens is documented in its newspapers and is retold in these pages. By keeping alive through the tradition of storytelling, newspapers continue to preserve history and, in cases of special anniversaries, make a little history of our own.
