J P D Withrow travelled to New York in the early 1800s and when he returned, he built an academy, which he named Hollis Academy. In 1906, the Hollis Academy Chapel was built. At that time, in order for a school to be classified as an academy, it had to have it's own chapel. Students were required to either attend church services down the road at Big Springs Baptist Church or go to the Academy Chapel. In 1910, the Academy housed 110 students. In the 1950s, the property (required to be at least 7 acres in order for it to be School District property) was given to the Rutherford County School District. At that time, the Academy building was used for elementary school students and a building next to it was used for a High School. A gymnasium was built. There was a playground for the elementary school students and the high school students had a large area with a ball field. In the late 1950s, the former academy building burned. At that time, there was a reorganization within the school system and the School District wanted to close Hollis School and bus the children to either Sunshine or Ellenboro. The parents and children had wished to remain at Hollis.

After the students no longer attend Hollis School, the high school building fell into disrepair and burned. The gymnasium is the only building fully functional. The boiler room is still functional as well.

Several years ago, the top of the veterans' monument was removed and rededicated at the Hollis Fire Department. This monument, when it was initially created, was the first monument to veterans of any war within the State of North Carolina.

The present owner of the property wishes to rebuild the school buildings to be used as a historical monument/museum.