History of Jamaica, New York, USA

1854 - Jamaica
Jamaica, a post-township of Queen's CO., New York, bordering on Jamaica bay. Population, 4247.

Jamaica, a neat post-village in the above town: hip, on the Long Island railroad, 12 miles E. from Brooklyn. It contains 5 or 6 churches, 2 academies or seminaries, 2 newspaper offices, and many fine residences, some of which are occupied by persons doing business in New York city.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1865 - Train Wreck
A collision occurred on the Long Island Railroad, near Jamaica, between the two engines, General Grant and General Sherman, attached to their respective trains. The trains were badly wrecked, the engines capsized, and four or five persons killed and large numbers injured.
The Daily Phoenix
Columbia, South Carolina
September 6, 1865

1869 - RAILROAD DISASTER. TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ON THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD - SIX PERSONS KILLED AND FIFTEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.
New York, April 23. - A horrible accident is reported on the Long Island Railroad. The train which left Hunter's Point at 10 o'clock this morning, when about one mile east of Jamaica, ran off the track when going at the rate of twenty miles an hour. Six passengers were instantly killed, fifteen others seriously injured, two or three mortally. Every person in the rear car was either killed or injured.

Among the killed were two women and an infant. The cause of the accident was a broken rail. Among the passengers killed are WM. C. RUSHMORE, President of the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn, and P. SHANAHAN, a railroad contractor.

Among the injured is MR. CRAIG, of this city, badly cut about the head, and hip dislocated.

Another account says there were fifteen passengers in the last car which was broken to splinters, and eight passengers killed. The brakeman, GEO. VAN NOSTRAND, was killed, as was a child named ADAMS. The parents of the latter were terribly injured and cannot... Read MORE...

1895 - Jamaica
Jamaica, a post-village, one of the capitals of Queens co., N.Y., in Jamaica township, on the Long Island Rail road, at the junction of several of its branches, 12 miles E. of Brooklyn, and about 4 miles S. of Flushing. It contains 9 churches, the Union Hall Academy, Vienot's Institute, a bank, a savings-bank, and many elegant residences. It has 8 weekly newspaper offices, and several manufactures of carriages. Pop. in 1880, 3922; in 1890, 5361.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1901 - Ran Into Trolley Car - Pleasure Party Comes to grief on Long Island. Two Men Carried Home Dead
Five of the Party in the Hospital and the Remainder of the 26 Merry-Makers Were More of Less Bruised - The Motorman Under Arrest.

New York, May 12. - Of 26 young people who started from College Point, L.I., last night on what is locally known as a “starlight ride” two were carried home this morning dead, five are in the hospital after having their wounds dressed, and every one of the remainder was more or less bruised. A collision with a trolley car caused the accident. The dead are:
MICHAEL SCHNEIDER.
JOSEPH PICKEL.

The merry-makers were on their way to a hotel ten miles away, where they were to have had a dance. All were in one wagon, the bottom of which had been filled with straw. It was almost midnight when they reached Distler’s hotel, on the edge of Jamaica. When in front of the house the driver of the wagon tried to cross the tracks of a trolley line in front of an approaching car, but the car struck the rear end of the wagon. The vehicle was demolished. Pickel was... Read MORE...

1911 - Electric Train Wreck
A thick fog descended on the city early yesterday morning and tied up traffic on the railroads and in the harbor until shortly after 11 o'clock, when the sun dispelled the gloom and allowed transportation to return to normal.

Several persons were hurt in the two suburban collisions. One occurred just west of Dunton, near Jamaica. Electric train 1,716, in charge of Motorman PETER GEE and Conductor FRANK OLSSEN, bound to Jamaica from the Pennsylvania Terminal in Manhattan, ran into Locomotive 12 in charge of Engineer LONG, which was backing out of the railroad repair shops at Morris Park. The motorman did not see the engine until it was a few feet away, and then could not stop. None of the passengers in the electric train was injured. The tender of the engine was derailed, blocking traffic for an hour. L. GAUIAGLO of 170 Morris Avenue, Morris Park, a railroad employee, was walking beside the engine when the crash occurred. He was placed on a train and taken to St. John's Hospital in... Read MORE...

Here are some of the best places to go and things to do in and around Jamaica:
1. King Manor Museum:
Located in Rufus King Park, the King Manor Museum is a historic house museum that provides a glimpse into the life of Rufus King, a prominent figure in the early history of the United States. The museum offers guided tours, exhibits, and educational programs that showcase the history of the area.

2. Rufus King Park:
Adjacent to the King Manor Museum, Rufus King Park is a beautiful green space where you can relax, have a picnic, or take a leisurely stroll. The park features a playground, basketball courts, and a splash pad, making it a great spot for families.

3. Jamaica Colosseum Mall:
For shopping enthusiasts, the Jamaica Colosseum Mall is a popular destination. It houses a variety of stores, including clothing shops, jewelry stores, and eateries. It's a fantastic place to find unique fashion items and enjoy some local cuisine.

4. Prospect Cemetery:
For those interested in history and the macabre, Prospect Cemetery is a notable stop. It's one of the ... Read MORE...