Flushing in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Aspinwall House
Flushing Freedom Mile
One-half block west of this marker stood the Aspinwall House, built by John Aspinwall in 1762. Aspinwall was a retired sea captain and a founder of St. George Church, located a few blocks away.
During the American Revolution, the house was used as a headquarters for British officers. The house is also said to have been a station on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. Fugitive slaves waiting for passage to New England or Canada were reportedly hidden in a tunnel that connected to the Aspinwall House with nearby Bowne House.
The house was demolished in the 1950s, when many of Flushing's great estates were subdivided or razed to make way for new buildings.
[Captions:]
The Aspinwall House with its distinctive wrap-around porch, ca. 1924. (top)
Aspinwall House in 1927. (bottom)
Aspinwall House was said to have been a hideout for runaway slaves during the 19th century. (right)
Erected by Queens Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 40° 45.839′ N, 73° 49.643′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Flushing. It is on Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A) just east of Union Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138-18 Northern Blvd, Flushing NY 11354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flushing High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Flushing State Armory (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); George Fox Stone (about 600 feet away); Fox Oaks (about 600 feet away); Margaret Carman Green
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 823 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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