Kleiner’s Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 6 (Motor Parkway - 1930+)
In this edition: An aviation school near the Motor Parkway; accidents involving the Old Country Road Bridge, a Great Neck lodge police officer and a fall from the sky; a mysterious female user of the Motor Parkway; a Vanderbilt Cup Race bartender; and college hunks providing the horsepower on the Motor Parkway! Enjoy.
A Flying School on the Motor Parkway
Brooklyn Times Union Aug. 18, 1930
The flying school was located south of the Long Island Aviation Club and adjacent to the Motor Parkway. (E. Belcher Hyde, 1927)
The owner and instructor, Felix Hornke, was noted to be a German war ace who previously gave flying lessons at Curtiss Field. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Jan. 13, 1929)
Hornke received a permit to erect a hanger near the "Hicksville Flying Field" (the Long Island Aviation Club?). Further research is necessary to locate exactly where this hanger may have been and what became of it. (Nassau Daily Review May 26, 1930)
Hornke provided town inspectors a new way to observe buildings being constructed.
Possibly the forerunner of drones being used today for the same purpose.
A Dangerous Motor Parkway Bridge
As noted in previous posts, accidents were plentiful on the Motor Parkway, especially on or near its bridges, including the Old Country Road Parkway Bridge. (Brooklyn Times Union Apr. 7, 1931)
A.K. Pettit's 6.5 acres (assessed at $1,600) were adjacent to the Motor Parkway.
An Accident to a Motor Parkway Police Officer
Accidents not only involved the general population, but also to those tasked with keeping the peace near the Motor Parkway. (Brooklyn Times Union Aug. 25, 1931)
A Long Island Motor Parkway License Plate Mystery
What was the purpose of the dictaphone? (NY Daily News Dec. 25, 1931)
A car driven by an owner's wife?
A Parachuter Drops Onto a Polo Field instead of the Motor Parkway
Dropping onto a polo field or the Motor Parkway? What's a parachuter to do? (NY Daily News Jun. 25, 1933)
A Vanderbilt Cup Race Bartender
Brooklyn Times Union Apr. 15, 1934
Wonder what Jake served?
College Men Supplying the Horse Power on the Motor Parkway
Guess college men had to make a living to pay for college! Click here for an interesting article describing the Peckham Guide Escort Service and its founder, Ted Peckham (NY Daily News Jul. 28, 1938, hilobrow.com)
NY Daily News Sept. 6, 1938
Comments
I knew both Edward (1903-1991) and Mabel (1908-2008) Gronroos, as they were neighbors of ours in Farmingdale. I believe they were the original owners of their 1950’s house, like my parents were, on Lowell Drive in suburban Farmingdale. Both were quiet and unassuming, having a well maintained home. It was only in later years after he had passed that I discovered his role in the LIMP. Interestingly, the 1930 U.S. Census lists Edward, age 26, as “motorcycle police” living with his wife Mabel, age 21, and father-in-law Samuel S. Sadler, age 71, occupation “Toll Collector” at Lakeville Road, Motor Parkway, Lake Success.
Nice to see the additional information, Gary. Thanks. Guess the Motor Parkway never came up while you knew them.
Cool, interesting info Art. Hope Mr. Hornke didn’t chase away any local kids building clubhouses or forts : )