Interesting Facts about Hollis

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A Few Interesting Things About Hollis

P.S. 35 Nathaniel Woodhull School

    P.S. 35
P.S. 35 [1]

The P.S. 35 School is named after General Woodhull, who was captured in what is now Hollis on August 28, 1776, during the American Revolution. [2] A new building was built for the school on Palatine Avenue, starting in July of 1895. The children of immigrants fought for this new school location, which was closer and more convenient for children to get to, without having to cut through fields. It took three years, but with persistent efforts, they were able to get approval for the school to be built.[3] The school is still in existence today, but in a different location. The school now stands on 90th Avenue. [4]


Interesting People Who've Lived in Hollis [5]

  • American General Nathaniel Woodhull captured in Hollis on Aug. 28, 1776 by British. Wounded, he died aboard a prison ship in a N.Y. harbor.
  • Frederick W. Dunton, President of the Long Island Railroad, develops Hollis in area previously known as East Jamaica. Hollis was named for Dunton's birthplace in Hollis, New Hampshire.
  • Mario Cuomo: His fiery rhetoric earned him popularity among Democratic politicians. The former 54th Governor of the State of New York was born in South Jamaica and lived in Holliswood.
  • Andrew Cuomo, son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, grew up in Hollis, later married Kathleen Kennedy and moved to a home in Douglas Manor. Appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by President Clinton in 1997.
  • Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
  • Dr. Gerald Deas, physician and columnist
  • Andy Rooney from 60 Minutes attended PS 35
  • Humorist Art Buchwald
  • Alfred H Griebe, Radio Pioneer
  • Musicians Roy Eldridge and Sonny Terry
  • Rapper L.L. Cool J.
  • Lyricist and composer Irving "Lord" Burgie
  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 5-Star General Colin Powell
  • Rappers Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels and Jason Mizell of Run-DMC. Run-DMC, a pioneer in rap is famous for the hit single "Christmas in Hollis."
  • Phil Schaap, Jazz historian and radio personality
  • Lester and Amelia Allen who played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King's widow, Coretta Scott King, was a frequent visitor to their Hollis Park Gardens home in the 1970's.
  • Williams, Clarence: He lived with his wife, Eva Taylor, at 171-37 107 Ave. in Hollis. Born in Louisiana, he rose through the ranks as a singer, composer, pianist, record producer and publisher. He claimed to be the first person to use the word "jazz" on a piece of sheet music.
  • Sydney Olympic sprinter Ato Bolden moved with his family from Trinidad to Jamaica, Queens in 1988 and ran track for Jamaica High School. Jamaica High was also privileged to have Larry Ellis, the head coach of the 1984 United States Olympic men's track and field team, the first African-American head coach in any Ivy League sport and the former president of Track and Field's National governing body. Ellis coached at Jamaica High School in Queens, where his best athlete was Bob Beamon, a future Olympic champion and world record-holder in the long jump.


References

  1. "History." 24 Apr. 2009 <http://www.hollisny.com/history.htm>.
  2. "History." 24 Apr. 2009 <http://www.hollisny.com/history.htm>.
  3. "HOLLIS TO HAVE A NEW SCHOOL; After a Long Struggle of Three Years the ... - Article Preview - The New York Times." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 24 Apr. 2009 <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C03E5D9103DE433A25752C2A9619C94649ED7CF>.
  4. "P.S. 35 Nathaniel Woodhull School Hollis, NY Overview - Neighborhood Link." Neighborhood Link - Providing Free Neighborhood, HOA and Community Websites. 24 Apr. 2009 <http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/schools/60853_P_S_35_Nathaniel_Woodhull_School_Hollis>.
  5. "History." 24 Apr. 2009 <http://www.hollisny.com/history.htm>.
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