Francis Lewis Blvd is a major thoroughfare located in Queens, New York City. It runs from the intersection of 147th Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard in the south to the Cross Island Parkway in the north, a distance of approximately 7.5 miles.
The boulevard is named after Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who lived in Queens and owned a large estate in what is now the neighborhood of Whitestone. The boulevard intersects with several major roads, including the Belt Parkway, Grand Central Parkway, and the Long Island Expressway.
Francis Lewis Blvd passes through several neighborhoods in Queens, including Rosedale, Cambria Heights, and Fresh Meadows. Along the route, you’ll find a mix of residential and commercial properties, with many small businesses, shops, and restaurants located along the boulevard.
The boulevard is an important transportation artery for Queens, serving as a major north-south route through the borough. It’s also an important commercial hub, with many businesses located along its length. Overall, Francis Lewis Blvd is an important part of Queens’ transportation and commercial infrastructure.
Francis Lewis was a prominent figure during the American Revolution and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in Llandaff, Wales in 1713, and after immigrating to New York, he became a successful merchant and trader. In 1745, he married Elizabeth Annesley, and together they had several children.
Lewis became involved in politics during the 1760s and 1770s, serving as a member of the New York Provincial Congress and the Continental Congress. He was a strong advocate for independence from Great Britain and played a key role in the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
During the Revolution, Lewis suffered significant personal losses, including the destruction of his home and property by British troops. Despite these setbacks, he continued to serve the patriot cause, lending his support to the war effort and helping to secure loans and supplies for the Continental Army.
After the war, Lewis retired from politics and returned to his merchant business. He passed away in 1802 at the age of 89 and was buried in the yard of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in the Bronx. Today, Lewis is remembered as a key figure in the founding of the United States and his name is memorialized in numerous ways, including the boulevard in Queens that bears his name.