Prospect Cemetery (Queens)

Prospect Cemetery
Chapel of the Sisters within the cemetery
Map
Location159th St. and Beaver Rd., Jamaica, New York
Coordinates40°42′04″N 73°48′01″W / 40.70111°N 73.80028°W / 40.70111; -73.80028
Area4 acres (1.6 ha)
Built1668
NRHP reference No.01001438 [1]
NYCL No.0945
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 11, 2002
Designated NYCLJanuary 11, 1977

Prospect Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in the Jamaica section of the New York City borough of Queens. It was established in 1668 and known as the "burring plas." The cemetery's original main gate was on Beaver Road which led from Sutphin Boulevard to Jamaica Avenue.[2] The cemetery was generally known as the Presbyterian burial ground and is one of the few remaining Colonial cemeteries in Queens.

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has designated the cemetery as an official city landmark, stating that Prospect Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in New York and that it is regarded as a place of great historical and aesthetic interest, as well as one of the city's important cultural locations.[3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[1]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Community Planning Board 12, Queens. “Prospect Cemetery Restoration : 159th Street, North of Liberty Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, NY”. Jul. 1976.
  3. ^ O’Brien, Richard. “Historic Graveyard in mortifying shape”. Queens Courier. 8 Dec. 1988.