Palm Gardens
This 1940s photograph shows 107-05 Merrick Boulevard. Although we do not know what Palm Gardens looked like, this building provides insight into what the neighborhood looked like during its time listed in the Green Book.
This 1940s photograph shows 107-17 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica NY, a building within the neighborhood of Palm Gardens.
This 1951 newspaper clipping gives a better idea of who Palm Garden's owner, Eddie Holford, was and provides key details about his life.
This 1940s photograph shows the home of Palm Garden's owner, Eddie Holford. The address of this house was 108-51 Union Hall Street, Jamaica NY. This building has been destroyed.
This 1940s photograph shows Eddie Holford's garage at 108-51 Union Street, Jamaica NY.
Known Name(s)
Palm Gardens () Eddie’s Palm Gardens ()
Address
107-02 Merrick Jamaica, NY
Establishment Type(s)
Tavern
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
Nothing is known of what Palm Garden’s looked like when its name was published in the 1954 and 1955 editions of the Green Book.
With no photos of Palm Gardens or the neighboring structures on this block, and no accessible Sanborn maps, it is difficult to discern anything about the structure.
On the east side of Merrick Boulevard, there were many autobody shops, gas stations, and car rental businesses. 107-05 and 107-17 Merrick Boulevard provide a better idea of the blue-collar demographics of the neighborhood during the 1940s. Both buildings during this period were one story, brick buildings with lots of signage, garages, and gas pumps. Although it is unclear how this neighborhood looked during the 1950s and 60s, the neighborhood still has many car-related businesses today and maintains the same functions as it did in the 1940s.
In 2001, the 107-02 Merrick Boulevard lot became government housing, and it remains as such today.
Detailed History
Although there is little information known about the physical Palm Gardens building, the business owner, Eddie Holford, was a well-known and well-established man in the Jamacia neighborhood. Hailing from Georgetown, British Guiana, Holford was mentioned in the New York Age newspaper in 1951 as being “the fine and honest West Indie, who owns Eddie Palm Garden, in order to give employment to members of the Negro Race.” This same newspaper clipping describes Holford as “one of the wealthiest negroes in Jamacia.” He owned Palm Garden Tavern, five Cadillacs for his funeral limousine business, and a home at 108-51 Union Hall Street, at which he lived with his wife Constance Louise Holford.
According to the 1940 Census, Mr. Holford’s occupation was a chauffeur for a rental car business. A photo of Mr. Holford’s home and accompanying garages show where he may have stored his vehicles. The 1950 Census contradicts the New York Age Newspaper clip, as Louise Holford is listed as the head of the 108-51 household rather than Eddie Holford; her marital status is declared as “separated.”
The 107-02 Merrick Boulevard 1950 Census lists the establishment as a hotel, with two lodgers listed: Walter Senegal, a 27-year-old black man from California, and Albert Hallingsworth, a 35-year-old black man from New Jersey who worked as a hotel waiter at Palm Gardens.
Both Eddie Holford and Albert Hallingsworth were drafted in World War Two. Hallingsworth’s occupation at the time of being drafted was categorized under “semi-skilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor.” It is unclear if these men knew each other before being drafted or met during their service.
Eddie Holford passed away in Queens, New York in 1977 at the age of 85.
