Historian

Historian/Biographer

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY

1951-1975

Tappan Zee Bridge

Expansion of Colleges
          St. Thomas Aquinas College
          Dominican College
          SUNY Rockland

Urban Renewal

Tappan Zee Bridge Development

A quiet spring-fed brook flowed down a hillside and met the mighty Hudson River on Grand View for thousands of years. However progress would soon evolve this peaceful pastoral countryside spiced by river villages. In 1955 the landscape of Rockland County was altered forever with the opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge served as a connection for Westchester and Rockland counties, in addition to providing a direct route upstate to Buffalo and Montreal.

The Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge serves as one of the largest bridges in the United States. The 3.1 mile bridge carries NY Thruway's mainline across the historic Tappan Zee section of the Hudson River, approximately 13 miles north of New York City. The first test borings were sunk in June of 1951 and actual construction began in March of 1952. The structure and approaches cost about $80.8 million.

On February 28, 1956 an Act approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, officially named the structure the Tappan Zee Bridge. In precolonial days, the area served as a home of the Tappan tribe of Indians; "zee" (sea) is the Dutch name for open expanse of water.

Expansion of Education
Due to extensive population expansion if Rockland County, there became a greater necessity for higher education. A myriad of college campuses were created and expanded during the period extending from 1951-1975.

St. Thomas Aquinas College
Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976; 845-359-9500

With little accessibility to the metropolitan area colleges and universities early on, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill decided to start their own college. In 1952 the quest was completed and the college opened. Spellman college housed the first college classrooms and the first class graduated in 1958.

Having recognized the enormous potential in growth during the mid-1960's, the Dominican Sisters turned it over to an independent board of trustees. In 1960 the College was empowered to grant them the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Education. Later in the 1970's the doors were opened to men.

Currently St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill is ranked by MONEY Magazine as being among the best quality-as-relative-to-price colleges and universities in that survey. Today more than 30 degree programs on the associate and bachelor levels, plus mast programs in special education and business administration. Its current undergraduate enrollment is 2,150 full and part-time students.

For more information regarding the history of St. Thomas Aquinas College click below
www.stac.edu/staglanc.htm

Dominican College
10 Western Highway, Orangeburg, NY 10962; 845-359-7800

SUNY Rockland Community College


photo taken from www.SUNYRockland.edu

photo taken from www.rockland.org