Book Description

Rockaway Beach, Long Island - New York: This issue contains 250 color and black and white images of many sections of the Rockaway Peninsula -- but this is much more than just a picture book. The author presents detailed captions which provide an educational background on important historical topics pertaining to areas of interest especially regarding the continuing dilemma of beach erosion. Also included in this volume are photo essays featuring the Great Iron Pier of Rockaway Beach: a featured tribute to some of the (former) local fire houses; the Far Rockaway railway station (Depot Square) and why and how it developed into a shopping plaza during the second half of the 20th Century as well as the ultimate demise of that underutilized commercial property; the famous Elstone Hotel and grounds in the Bayswater section of Far Rockaway; the Roche's development on South Street in lower Far Rockaway; the enormous popularity of the many tent cities before they were eclipsed by summer rental bungalows; the rise and fall of Hog Island -- "once upon a time you saw it - now you don't"; some final images of Rockaway's Playland recorded almost immediately before the arrival of the demolition crews; and these are only a few of the exciting discoveries unearthed and revealed between the covers of this book. This work also includes the full report issued on March 20th, 1918 as prepared and presented by the Chief Engineer of The New York City Board of Estimate and Apportionment regarding the diminishing beaches of the Rockaway Peninsula. So, be prepared to be entertained and informed by this author's latest release in his continuing salute to the history of the Rockaways.