They Came From Queens - Nancy Reagan From Flushing

Did you know that the former First Lady of the United States was born in Flushing? Her official biography may gloss over her Queens roots, but you can still see the Flushing house that Nancy Reagan spent at least part of her childhood.

Nancy Reagan (born 1921) is the widow of President Ronald Reagan and was the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. She's famous for her devotion to her husband, and said "My life really began when I married my husband."

Born Anne Frances Robbins, her name first changed at age six when her actress mother married Dr. Loyal Davis and moved to Chicago. Later after graduation from Smith College, she became a professional actress on Broadway and soon Hollywood, where her name changed again to Nancy Davis. She appeared in eleven films and on TV before retiring as an actress in 1962.

Married to Ron Reagan in 1952, Nancy Reagan was deeply committed to her husband and his greatest supporter while Governor of California and President of the United States. She attracted controversy for her lavish spending and redecorating during a recession, as well as her use of astrologers. She is also known for her anti-drug "Just Say No" campaign. The funeral of Ronald Reagan in 2004 was a moving affair, its stately details choreographed by Nancy.

She continues to live in Bel Air, Los Angeles, but you can see where she started out at 149-4 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing (known then as 417 Amity Street).

• Nancy Reagan - Official Bio [WhiteHouse.gov]
• Nancy Reagan - Bio [Wikipedia]
• Talk and More Talk About Nancy (That One!) in Flushing [NY Times]
• Queens Tribune Finds Nancy Reagan Birth Certificate [Queens Tribune]

House Photo Credit: © Forgotten NY and Doug Douglass
Portrait Photo Credit: © Library of Congress