Everything around the world has its own history and features, even my small apartment has its history. While I am taking urban sociology class, I became curious about the history and community of Astoria where I live.
             Astoria is a part of Queens, one of five boroughs. Astoria settled in the 17th century known as Hallets Cove, which renamed in honor of John Jacob Astor a millionaire in 1839. John Jacob Astor, a German-born immigrants to the United States, donated $500 to the village's young ladies' seminary. Then, Astoria got its name by Steven Halsey after name of John Jacob Astor.
             Since 1830s urbanizing force, population of Queens increased. And in 1839 Astoria became the first village to be officially founded within Queens since the 17th century. Astoria had been the center of New York's Greek-American community. More and more Greeks had immigrated especially during the Greek Civil War from 1944 to 1949. The large number of immigration of Greek resulted the largest group of first generation immigrants in Astoria in 1980. However, Greek-American population dropped from 22,579 in 1980 to 18,127 in 1990. In 1996, First-generation Greek-Americans in Astoria did not even rank among top ten immigrant groups. The decline in the number of Greek-Americans in Astoria brought other community or immigrants from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, among other, than Greece. According to 1990 U.S. Census, Greek language speakers at home are 1,885 while Spanish speakers are 6,646 among of population of 29,844. (1990 U.S. C!
             Following growth of the population, buildings and houses were built and created. On 21st Street, Famine Cemetery, built by Steven Halsey in 1839, still exist. Style of housing during nineteenth century to twentieth century became to change from large estates for rich people to multi family dwellings, stores, pared road, severs, and other city services for a grow...