Vanderbilt Cup Races

Dean Alvord, (1856-1941) Master planner, was responsible for some of NYC and Long Island's most beautiful and luxurious neighborhoods that exist by those standards even today.

Prospect Park South Brooklyn, Laurelton, Queens

Soon after developing his first neighborhood in Rochester NY, he moved on to Prospect Park South, Brooklyn and Laurelton, Queens. There, taking advantage of excellent public transportation, he constructed beautiful neighborhoods that people aspire to live to this day.

In 1979, Prospect Park South in Flatbush was designated a historic district by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commision.

An early 1900's aerial of Prospect Park South showing its luxurious homes.

Belle Terre, Port Jefferson Long Island

With the great successes in Brooklyn and Queens, Alvord set his sights on what he strived to be his most luxurious of neighborhoods purchasing land in 1902-1903 on the Port Jefferson peninsula just to the east of the town center.

The inviting entrance to Belle Terre and its original sales office at the top of the East Broadway hill as currently seen on Google Streetview.

On a side note; 

This location happens to be the finish line for the exciting 1910 Port Jefferson Hill Climb races and the current re-enactments of that hill climb.

Roslyn Estates Long Island

Around 1908, Alvord began his Roslyn Estates community with its winding roads and ponds. Situated south of Northern Blvd, between Searingtown Rd to the west and Mineola Ave to the east, it is a vibrant neighborhood that is a jewel in the Roslyn community. Many of the historic homes within the neighborhood can be found along with their history on the Roslyn Landmark Society webpage.

The Roslyn Estates Sales Office, seen here from the 1908 sales brochure, was the entrance to Roslyn Estates at Mineola Ave and Warner Ave at #1 The Intervale. The neighborhood and office's illustrious history can be found here, again, thanks courtesy of the Roslyn Landmark Society.

It still stands today, albeit slightly expanded, and has been many different businesses in its years of existence.

The Long Island Motor Parkway

In 1906, the successful developer was sought after by Willie K. Vanderbilt Jr. for his expertise in acquiring land necessary to develop the Motor Parkway.

He was an original member of the Motor Parkway Plan and Scope Committee along with Willie K, Jefferson DeMont Thompson, Ralph Peters, Dave Hennen Morris and A.R. Pardington.

In Automobile Topics in September of 1907, a reader's hand drawn cartoon map shows three of the motor principals explaining why the Motor Parkway was 'kinky' and not the original, proposed straight run.

More on the map here.

Harbor Oaks, Clearwater, Florida

In 1913, intending to retire, he and his family moved to the warm weather of Clearwater, Florida. But like most successful businessmen, a true retirement was not in the works, and he found himself developing the new neighborhood of Harbor Oaks, now, yet another one of his neighborhoods that has become a U.S. historic district.

The first home to be erected was to be his own with the mansion built at 802 Druid Road. 'Twin Oaks/Century Oaks' was sold by Alvord not long after and wings on either side of the home were added by subsequent owners. It too, is also on the register of historic places seen here in its current incarnation.

A closer Google Earth view showing the 5.6-acre expansiveness of the current beachfront property. The additional wings can be seen on the original mansion.

As of January 2022, the upgraded and modernized house has been listed for sale. So, for those of us sitting around with $18 million burning a hole in our pockets, you could be the owner of this truly spectacular, historic home...and maybe dig around the yard a little. Who knows, you may dig up a Motor Parkway plate or two.

View the Century Oaks listing and incredible photos here.