So, Why Do They Call It Court Square?

When Long Island City split off from Newtown in 1870, the Queens County seat was moved west to this spot from Jamaica. The original incarnation of the Long Island City Courthouse, found at 25-10 Court Square (near the corner of Thomson Avenue and Court Square), was finished in 1876. Two-and-a-half stories, built of brick and granite in French Second Empire style, it was designed by Massachusetts architect George Hathorne. Gutted by fire in 1904, it was redesigned by Long Island City architect Peter M. Coco, who incorporated surviving parts of the structure into the modern day landmark.

Famously, this is the spot where the infamous bank robber Willie Sutton, who was responsible for a 40 year long 2oth century crime spree that ended in 1952, was asked “Willie, why do you rob banks” by a reporter. Sutton’s supposed reply was “Because that’s where the money is.” Sutton later claimed he never made the statement, but wished that he had.

The LIC Court House once had jails attached to it, but these were replaced by parking garages. The Court House is still a functioning part of the judicial system, but is a bit overshadowed by its 53 story neighbor across Jackson Avenue at One Court Square.