Aug 5, 2010

Trivia Answer - Dorothy Day's House

What was demolished on February 9, 2001 in the Spanish Camps on Staten Island?


On February 9, 2001, the cottage where Dorothy Day lived at Spanish Camp on Staten Island was demolished. The cottage was among the last remains of Spanish Camp. 


Spanish-American immigrants founded Spanish Camp in 1929 as a seaside summer retreat from various New York City barrios.


Dorothy Day, a founder of the Catholic Worker movement, was a part-time resident of one of the cottages during the 1970s. Dorothy Day is under consideration for sainthood by the Vatican because of her work for the poor.


Dorothy Day is buried on Staten Island, Cemetery of the Resurrection


Source: Wikipedia - Spanish Camps


In 1996 Moira Kelly and Martin Sheen starred in her biographical film, Entertaining Angles.  We believe the movie was not filmed on Staten Island at all.  If you know otherwise, please let us know.


In 2007, we toured the remains of the Spanish Camps and saw the spot where her house was.  It was the first to be demolished by the contractor after protests to protect the historical site.


We were taken there with guides who had lived and cared for Dorothy Day in her later years. We also went with them to their old cottage and saw the vandalism left at the site.  The entire lot was for sale at the time.  I am not sure of the status of the land now.


To read more about Dorothy Day, a woman who loved Staten Island and worked tirelessly to the help the poor, please visit the Catholic Worker.


Here books can be found below.  Buying them from the links below will generate money to keep this site going and will not cost you anything extra.









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