<p><b>Arverne</b> is a neighborhood in the <a href="/pages/w/111979848819624">New York City</a> <a href="/pages/w/111958342154782">borough</a> of <a href="/pages/w/108384955853020">Queens</a>, on the <a href="/pages/w/111203768908294">Rockaway Peninsula</a>. It was initially developed by <a href="/pages/w/135772416453560">Remington Vernam</a>, whose signature "R. Vernam" inspired the name of the neighborhood. Arverne extends from Beach 56th Street to Beach 79th Street, along its main thoroughfare <a href="/pages/w/144769578870210">Beach Channel Drive</a>, alternatively known as Rev. Joseph H. May Drive. The neighborhood is part of <a href="/pages/w/120042271375172">Queens Community Board 14</a>.</p><h2>History</h2><p>Vernam's original plan was to name the neighborhood Arverne-by-the-Sea, and one grandiose plan, influenced by his wife, Florence, included a canal running through the neighborhood, reminiscent of the <a href="/pages/w/109181989100576">Amstel</a> canal in <a href="/pages/w/109335205759195">Amsterdam</a>, the <a href="/pages/w/106123262753066">Netherlands</a>. When this plan fell through, the canal right-of-way was converted into a thoroughfare, Amstel Boulevard, which, except for a stub west of Beach 71st Street, was later incorporated into Beach Channel Drive.</p><p>While Arverne became well known as a beachfront community with inexpensive summer bungalows, and hotels of varying levels of expense and luxury as well as amusements and <a href="/pages/w/109922749025696">boardwalk</a> concessions, it also attracted a year-round residential community. On January 3, 1914, a violent storm devastated the neighborhood as well as other neighborhoods on the peninsula, and completely swept the Arverne Pier Theater, which was capable of seating 1,200 people, away to sea. On June 15, 1922, a large part of Arverne was leveled by a disastrous fire which left about 10,000 people homeless, although the neighborhood was quick to rebuild.</p>