New York City Rental Car and a Jamaica Overview

Jamaica is a neighborhood in Queens that you can visit with your New York City car rental. Many local neighborhoods have come together in an unofficial Greater Jamaica area that includes St. Albans, Springfield Gardens, Hollis, Laurelton, Queens Village, Howard Beach, and Ozone Park.

Built from the ground up

Where you can now drive with your New York City car rental down Jamaica Avenue, you would have found an ancient trail used by Native Americans from as far away as the Great Lakes who came to trade skins and furs. In 1655, the first settlers paid Native Americans for the land between the old trail and Baisley Pond. In 1664, the English took over the area and renamed it "Jameco" for the Indians that once lived there. When the area was divided into counties, Jamaica became the county seat of Queens County.

Fight for the best

Jamaica had a band of 56 Minutemen who played an active role in the Battle of long Island during the Revolutionary War. Around this time, Jamaica had become an important trading post for farmers and their produce. Horse=drawn carts would come down Jamaica Avenue to sell their goods that would make its way to Manhattan. The area exploded in population when tracks were laid for a horse car line in 1866, which later was run by electricity 20 years later. The Long Island Rail Road was completed in 1913, and the BMT Jamaica Line was finished in 1918. This well-connected neighborhood is now a great place to visit with your New York City car rental.

What you need to do when you visit

For many years, Jamaica fell into a state of neglect as it suffered from "white flight" in the mid-20th century. But by the 60s and 70s, things began to get worse with some of the biggest stores in the area moving out. By the 80s, the crack epidemic in the area all but destroyed the area, leaving only hair salons and 99 cent stores. However, major improvements have been made since then, with big box stores moving into the area, making business more profitable. Soon brand name stores, movie theaters, and many others followed, developing a diverse retail community where you can shop today with your New York City car rental. Crime is also way down, so you can feel safe when visiting with your New York City car rental. Today, the economic development councils in the area are working to make it a premier business center in New York City.

Shop till you drop

Part of the development of Jamaica includes One Jamaica Center, a mixed-use commercial center that was built in 2002. When you visit with your New York City car rental you will find an Old Navy, Bally Total Fitness, Gap, and 15-screen theater. Plans are underway for a Home Depot complex. There is also the Sutphin Boulevard transit hub that connects the E, J, and Z subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and Airtrain JFK, which will give you a direct ride to John F. Kennedy International Airport in 5-7 minutes.