Flushing in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Daniel Carter Beard Square
Flushing Freedom Mile
This square, dedicated in 1943, is named for one of Flushing's most distinguished residents. Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941) was a civil engineer, illustrator, and naturalist, and a founder of the Boy Scouts of America.
Born in Cincinnati and raised in Kentucky Beard moved to Flushing as a young man. He studied at the Art Students League in Manhattan and became an illustrator for books and magazines. In 1889, Mark Train recruited Beard to do the artwork for his book, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
When Beard was growing up, he was inspired by stories about Daniel Boone and other wilderness pioneers. In 1905 he founded a boys' club called the Boy Pioneers to teach about scouting and nature. In 1910, the club was incorporated as the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts referred affectionately to Beard as "Uncle Dan."
[Captions:]
Daniel Carter Beard in his trademark scouting uniform, ca. 1915. (below)
One of Beard's illustrations for Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Twain praised Beard's interpretation of his work, saying, "Beard got everything I put into that book and a little more besides." (right)
Erected by Queens Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. 40° 45.784′ N, 73° 49.894′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Flushing. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A), on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36-32 Main St, Flushing NY 11354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hon. Alfred J. Kennedy (here, next to this marker); Former RKO Keith's Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Quaker Meeting House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friends Meeting House (about 300 feet away); Flushing Civil War Monument (about 400 feet away); Flushing Town Hall (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Flushing Town Hall (about 500 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
