Hicksville’s History Taught By A Hicksville Historian

Hicksville historian and Hicksville Public Library librarian James Janis recently visited Kevin Bunting’s “New York State of Mind” social studies class. Sixth-period students learned about the history of Hicksville from the mid-1800’s through present day. Janis shared an array of images while sharing oral stories of Hicksville from past to present.

HIX.History 050622A — Supervisor of Social Studies & Home and Career, Rose Borda and Hicksville High School Social Studies Teacher, Kevin Bunting brought Hicksville historian and Hicksville Public Library librarian James Janis to Hicksville High School to speak to the students in the New York State of Mind social studies class.
(Photo courtesy of the Hicksville School District)

His presentation focused on the changing landscape of the Hicksville community from focusing on the town center, architecture of unique buildings and how they changed over time, to business development that one point featured 13 hotels and expansion of the Long Island Railroad to end in Hicksville because the LIRR ran out of money to further expand it.

HIX.History 050622B 1024x683 1 — Hicksville historian James Janis speaks of the origin of the Hicksville Public School District and shared various early one-room school house images with students from the days before the district evolved to current day with multiple schools, including both the Hicksville Middle School and Hicksville High School as separate buildings.
(Photo courtesy of the Hicksville School District)

Other points made were the population explosion of the Hicksville community and how local and world history impacted these occurrences. Janis provided a wealth of knowledge to the students of Hicksville High School and the presentation was enjoyed by all.