Franklin Square, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Franklin Square, New York
Hamlet and census-designated place
The Franklin National Bank (now a Chase bank), a historic landmark in Franklin Square, in 2016.
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
Franklin Square, New York Location in Long Island Show map of Long Island Franklin Square, New York Location in New York Show map of New York
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Nassau
Town	Hempstead
Area
• Total	2.88 sq mi (7.46 km2)
• Land	2.88 sq mi (7.46 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	30,903
• Density	10,730.21/sq mi (4,143.09/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	11010
Area codes	516, 363
FIPS code	36-27309
GNIS feature ID	0950629

Franklin Square is a community in Nassau County, New York. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a small community that isn't officially a town or city, but it has a clear boundary for counting people.

Franklin Square is located on Long Island within the Town of Hempstead. In 2020, about 30,903 people lived there. Before it was called Franklin Square, it was known as Trimming Square and then Washington Square.

History of Franklin Square

What we know today as Franklin Square was once open land. It was part of the Hempstead Plains, a large, flat area. Early European settlers used this land for grazing animals and later for farming. The southern part of the area had forests with oak and dogwood trees.

In 1643, some settlers bought about 100 square miles of land from local Native American tribes. This large area included much of what is now Hempstead and North Hempstead.

Famous Visitors and Early Growth

In 1790, George Washington, who was the first U.S. President, visited Long Island. He wrote in his diary that the area was mostly treeless. Later, in 1840, the famous poet Walt Whitman worked as a schoolmaster in the Trimming Square school district for three months.

In 1852, a man named Louis Schroeher built a hotel near a tollgate. This hotel helped bring more visitors and immigrants, often from Germany, to the quiet farming community. Many of these new residents came from New York City.

From Farms to Homes

The number of people living in Franklin Square grew steadily. After World War II, many people moved out of New York City to live in the suburbs on Long Island. By 1952, all the farms in Franklin Square were replaced by new houses. These homes were filled with families moving from the city.

Why the Name Changed

The area was first called Trimming Square. This name might have come from the sheep farming that happened there. Farmers would bring sheep to the area for "trimming" or separation. This name was used until 1851, when it changed to Washington Square, honoring George Washington.

In the 1870s, locals wanted to open a U.S. post office. However, the Postal Service said there were already too many places in New York named Washington. So, the community changed its name again. They chose Franklin Square, possibly to honor Benjamin Franklin, a famous American inventor and statesman.

Trying to Become a Village

In 1929, people in Franklin Square tried to make their community an official village. They wanted it to be called the "Incorporated Village of Franklin Square." But the Town of Hempstead said no. Not enough residents supported the idea, so the plan was stopped.

Geography

U.S. Census map of Franklin Square.

Franklin Square covers about 2.9 square miles (7.46 square kilometers) of land. It has no water areas.

It shares borders with several other communities:

• To the north: Stewart Manor
• To the northeast: Garden City and Garden City South
• To the southwest: North Valley Stream
• To the east: West Hempstead
• To the west: Elmont

Population Information

In 2010, the population of Franklin Square was 29,320 people. Most residents were non-Hispanic White (75.1%). About 13.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Arts and Culture

Important Buildings and History

Franklin Square was once home to the Franklin National Bank. This bank was very important and was one of the largest in the country. The bank's leader, Arthur T. Roth, helped create many new banking ideas. For example, they introduced the bank credit card and the drive-up teller window in the 1950s. They also had junior savings accounts for kids and a no-smoking rule inside the bank.

Today, the building is a Chase bank. In 2015, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

Community Groups and Activities

Franklin Square has many active community groups. There is a Chamber of Commerce, which helps local businesses. There is also a historical society that works to preserve the area's past.

The Community League of Garden City South, started in 1929, is one of the oldest groups. It helps connect residents and businesses with local government. The Franklin Square Civic Association, started in 2016, also works to improve life in the community. They organize events to bring people together.

For young people, Franklin Square has several sports programs:

• Franklin Square Warriors (youth football)
• Franklin Square Raiders (youth soccer)
• Franklin Square Little League (baseball)
• Franklin Square Seminoles II (baseball and softball)

Parks and Recreation

The Town of Hempstead takes care of two parks in Franklin Square: Averill Boulevard Park and Rath Park.

• Averill Boulevard Park has a playground, a swimming pool, walking paths, nature trails, and sports areas.
• Rath Park also has a swimming pool, a playground, and fields for football and baseball. It also has courts for basketball, handball, and tennis. During the summer, you can buy snacks and rent sports equipment there.

Education

Schools in Franklin Square

Franklin Square has several public schools. The area is divided into different school districts for elementary and high schools.

Public Schools

Private Schools

The private St. Catherine of Sienna Elementary School used to be in Franklin Square. It closed in June 2012.

Libraries for Students and Families

Residents of Franklin Square can use two public libraries:

• The Elmont Public Library (part of the Elmont Library District)
• The Franklin Square Public Library (part of the Franklin Square Library District)

Local Media

Franklin Square used to have a weekly newspaper called the Franklin Square Bulletin. Today, another local newspaper, the Three Village Times, covers news from the area both in print and online.

Community Services

Franklin Square has a volunteer fire department. This means firefighters are volunteers who help keep the community safe. The Nassau County Police Department's Fifth Precinct serves the area.

Trash and recycling services are handled by the Town of Hempstead District 6.

Notable People from Franklin Square

Many interesting people have lived in Franklin Square, including:

• Bruce Arena: A well-known coach for the United States men's national soccer team.
• Nikki Blonsky: An actress and singer famous for her role in the movie Hairspray.
• Joseph Duszak: A professional ice hockey player.
• Jenni "JWoww" Farley: An actress and producer, known from the TV show Jersey Shore.
• Sean Hannity: A famous radio and television host.
• Ray Heatherton: Known for The Merry Mailman TV show, and his daughter Joey Heatherton.
• Alice Hoffman: A novelist who writes for young adults and children, known for Practical Magic.
• Mike Massimino: A NASA Astronaut who graduated from H. Frank Carey Junior-Senior High School.
• Lisa Matassa: A country music singer.
• Shane Pinto: An NHL player for the Ottawa Senators.
• Michael Tucci: An actor who played Sonny in the 1978 movie "Grease."
• Al Weis: A former Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.

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See also

In Spanish: Franklin Square (Nueva York) para niños