The Old Sunnyside Garden Arena located on Queens Blvd. and 45 Street, was originally built by the millionaire Jay Gould as a private club catering to the rich Manhattanites who played tennis. In 1945 the building was sold and converted to a boxing arena. Later wrestling matches were produced here in the early days of television. Do you remember a wrestler named  "Gorgeous George"?  In 1960 John Kennedy helped make the Garden famous by having a presidential rally here. Due to lack of interest in boxing and wrestling matches from this site, the Garden was rented for teen dance parties and proms. Saturday and Sundays,  the Garden was used as a flea market by Charity groups. In 1977, sadly, Sunnyside Garden was sold. The building was torn down and replaced by a hamburger chain. (see our Entertainment section for a picture of a film being made in the Garden)
(Circa 1942)