LaLance-Grosjean+Factory+Worker+Houses

Swiss-born Florian Grosjean emigrated to America from France. Shortly after he and his partner Charles LaLance came to Woodhaven in 1860, they began importing workers from France who were experienced in tinware production. Grosjean built over 100 houses for these workers so that they would live close to the factory. Though many of these houses were lost long ago as Woodhaven developed, the houses along 95th Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets still remain standing.

In those days, Woodhaven had a very sparse population - and many of those that were living here were French and living along this very street. On one end of University Place is the Bank and the Hotels and the Factory and on the other end were the workers. University Place was certainly the center of Woodhaven.

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