Astoria City Map Poster

About Astoria

Astoria was named after John Jacob Astor, a German American businessman and real estate developer. He came to America with his father in the late 18th century as an infant and grew up in Germany working on trading ships. He started business ventures in New York City before moving to Chicago where he founded the meat-packing industry. In 1823, Astor purchased a lot from George Bancroft (an American historian) at what became known as Hallett's Point; this land was bounded by present day Astoria Park South/19th Street on the east, 36th Avenue/21st Street on the south; Ditmars Boulevard & 31st street on west side of Halletts Cove). His four children moved back to New York City from Chicago after their parents died: Anna married Robert Lefevre (a French merchant), Francis married Mary Allen, Caroline married David Hunter McAlpin Jr.