Frederick J. Lancaster
Encyclopedia
Frederick J. Lancaster was a land developer who in the 1890s, with a group of investors, founded the community of Edgemere
, on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens County. Originally the investors planned to call the community "New Venice" and develop it with canals and gondoliers. Although this venture failed, in 1894 Lancaster formed the Lancaster Sea Beach Improvement Company to build a more conventional seaside colony named "Edgemere". Lancaster built a large, luxurious hotel, the Edgemere, which opened in 1895 and became the major summer attraction in the community.
Lancaster also later developed the community of Belle Harbor
, further west along the peninsula.
Edgemere, along with nearly all of the peninsula, was incorporated into New York City
in 1898.
Edgemere, Queens
Edgemere is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, extending from Beach 32nd to Beach 52nd Street on the Rockaway Peninsula. It contains Rockaway Community Park. Arverne is to the west, and Far Rockaway to the east. Edgemere was founded in 1892 by Frederick J. Lancaster, who...
, on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens County. Originally the investors planned to call the community "New Venice" and develop it with canals and gondoliers. Although this venture failed, in 1894 Lancaster formed the Lancaster Sea Beach Improvement Company to build a more conventional seaside colony named "Edgemere". Lancaster built a large, luxurious hotel, the Edgemere, which opened in 1895 and became the major summer attraction in the community.
Lancaster also later developed the community of Belle Harbor
Belle Harbor, Queens
Belle Harbor is an upscale neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is a tightly-knit, upper class community located on the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula, the southernmost area of the borough. While there are no formal boundaries for the area, Belle Harbor is often used to...
, further west along the peninsula.
Edgemere, along with nearly all of the peninsula, was incorporated into New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1898.