Broad Channel may only be a mile long and four blocks wide, but this "city-by-the-bay" has a history nearly as expansive as its more populous neighbors across the water.
The tight-knit Queens community in the middle of Jamaica Bay now has its own history book, titled: "Images of America: Broad Channel."
The 128-page collection of photo essays, released Monday, contains 200 vintage pictures, ranging from the town's first bungalows and fire department to its storefronts and railroad.
Authors Liz and Dan Guarino have lived in Broad Channel for 20 years. When the Broad Channel Historical Society asked them to take on the book project, and complete it in six months, they were up for the challenge.
"It is a very striking history - boardwalks, hotels, speakeasies," said Liz Guarino.
The book tells "the history of the community, how it started, how it came to be, how it has metamorphosed," she said.
The husband-and-wife team has worked closely with the historical society, founded in 1994, to preserve the community's unique heritage. The society has a large collection of photos and memorabilia, much of which has been reprinted in the book.
Barbara Toberg, 68, chairwoman of the historical society, said she expects the book to be a hit - not just with the approximately 2,600 residents of Broad Channel, but with any history lover.
"It is so unusual for a place in the city," said Toberg. "People like to read about it."
The images and accompanying stories were collected from local families, the Library of Congress, the historical society and various other collections.
"The photos catalogue a lot of history of Broad Channel going back to the turn of the [19th] century," said Toberg. The pictures "show what life was like here over the years."
Erin Vosgien, 27, editor of the book, said the best thing about the work is that it introduces rare images of a bygone era that even local residents haven't seen.
Dan Guarino agreed. "It will be giving people a view of Broad Channel as it no longer exists."
"We're looking at [pictures of] people's uncles, their boyhood photos," he said. "Pictures with a very personal history."
On Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Dan and Liz Guarino will sign copies of "Images of America: Broad Channel" at Grassy's, 1802 Crossbay Blvd., Broad Channel.
