Ascan William Christian Backus (1814-1880) build his homestead at what is now the northeast corner of 69th Road and Queens Boulevard. As he acquired more and more land in the area, he became known as “The King Farmer of Long Island.”
In 1909 his son, Frederick Backus, named a new road between Queens Boulevard and Metropolitan Avenue, in honor of his father.
Ron Marzlock, "The Backus clan, who named Ascan Ave.," Queens Chronicle, Oct 25, 2012 https://www.qchron.com/qboro/i_have_often_walked/the-backus-clan-who-named-ascan-ave/article_6d174b76-38a1-558a-babc-592ee870d9b8.html
Sothbeys International Reality, "THE FORGOTTEN STREET NAMES OF FOREST HILLS," accessed on June 7, 2023 https://www.foresthillsrealestate.com/blog/?p=1774
Eugene L. Armbruster, 1923, “Ascan Backus House.” Gelatin silver print, Queens Borough Public Library, Archives, http://digitalarchives.queenslibrary.org/browse/ascan-backus-house