In 1882, when she was 15 years old, Mary Van Valin, the mayor’s daughter, started Holly Beach’s first school as a one-room school for ten students at Taylor and Beach Avenues. This Mini House also served for church services, social gatherings, and as Holly Beach Borough Hall after incorporation in 1885. After a severe storm washed out Holly Beach in 1889, the Mini House was moved to the Moyers property at the northeast corner of Bennett and Holly Beach Avenues, and in 1950 it was moved again to W Taylor Avenue. After living in it for several years, Mr. Mowers converted it into a tool shed, then presented it to the city of Wildwood in 1975, and George Boyer had it moved to Holly Beach Park. School District No. 31 was formed and certified a free public school, which was built at the present location of Holly Beach Park in 1886. Holly Beach School closed in 1933 and was torn down in 1936. In 1939, after Mr. E.Z. fox urged the city to give the ground to the Park Commission, he and Mr. Nick Silviedio built Holly Beach Park. The park now contains the original school bell, May Pole, Fishermen's Memorial, and the Mini House, as well as a fountain built with money collected by Elizabeth and Lillian Grelis. The school bell was saved after the school was torn down, erected on old fire escape iron with a blackboard for a roof, later vandalized and taken down, then restored and rehung with new housing. The May Pole was also restored. The city is working on restoring the fountain, Partners In Preservation is working with the city to bring back the park, and the Fisherman's Memorial honors Cape May County fishermen who lost their lives at sea.