Vanderbilt Cup Races

Permission Granted

Permission was given to place two types of road signs (also called sign boards) on poles of the New York & New Jersey Telephone Company - direction and mileage signs and those indicating dangerous hills or turns.   (Automobile Topics Oct. 14, 1905)

The signs were hauled to each location by a Cantano electric truck similar to the one shown here.  (Horseless Age Apr. 11, 1905)

Earlier Signs Were Insufficent

Signs were in addition to the signs already erected by the League of American Wheelman (L.A.W), an organization promoting good roads for use by cyclists.  

The newer signs were 2' x 1'  and were red and white.  Wording indicated they were erected by the magazine while also promoting the use of the telephone.  A. R. Pardington, as head of the "contracts department", gave his approval. (Automobile Topics Oct. 14, 1905)

The L.A.W. had authorized signs be built throughout Long Island as early as 1895.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Oct. 8, 1895)

By 1898 the signs were erected on all areas of the island.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Apr. 3, 1898)

An 1898 booklet published the the L.A.W. showed major routes throughout Long Island.  (50 Miles Around New York, L.A.W 1898)

A sign (not necessarily on Long Island) erected in the 1890's by the League of American Wheelman.  (bridgemanimages.com)

Signs Erected By "Automobile Topics"

The first sign erected by "Automobile Topics" was in Long Island City near the "burned Court House" showing mileage to Mineola (18 miles) and Garden City (20 miles).  Seven signs were erected in Jamaica, four at Creedmore along the "famous Rocky Hill Road" and other important locations along the route to get to the Vanderbilt Cup Race course.  One sign directed travelers to Deepdale, Willie K's. Lake Success estate.  (Automobile Topics Oct. 21, 1905)

Where the first sign was located - the Long Island City Court House before it partially burned down in 1904. 

And how it looked after the fire.    Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a telephone pole upon which the sign would have been attached.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Nov. 27, 1904)

Signs also showed mileage back to Brooklyn and New York City and alerted travelers to 40 dangerous locations, including one in Mineola where a horse was killed during the 1905 American Elimination trial.  (Automobile Topics Oct. 21, 1905)

Might this be the accident during the 1905 American Elimination trial that contributed to the erection of a danger sign at Mineola?  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Sept. 23, 1905)

Willie K. At The Krug's Corner Sign

This 1906 sign on a telephone pole across from Krug's Hotel appears to be the right dimensions and colors (red background with white lettering on top and white background with red lettering on the bottom).  Obviously a color photo would be more conclusive, but the b/w indicates the correct shading.  Do you think Willie K. needed this sign to show him the way?

Another view.

And one last view. 

These roads signs may have also been placed by the  Long Island Automobile Club.

If anyone has any other pictures of these signs or their whereabouts, please share with the rest of us.  Thank you.