Mystery Friday #35 Solved: The Maxwell-Briscoe 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Race Team Headquarters in Mineola
Did you identify this race team headquarters?
Identify;
- Which race team used this house for their headquarters?
Maxwell-Briscoe based in Tarrytown, New York.
- Location. Provide a rationale.
At the north-east intersection of Willis Avenue and Jericho Turnpike in Mineola across from Krug's Hotel. Rationale: The building is still standing at 136 Jericho Turnpike. The distinctive fencing surrounding the intersection for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race can be seen in the foto.
- Year and race
- How many men in this photo are not wearing a hat or cap?
None!
- Kudos question- Who was 'Painless Parker'? -As seen in the poster on the telephone pole.
See Art Kleiner's comments below and this post.
Comments (6)
Congrats to David Miller, Steve Lucas and Art Kleiner for identifying the Maxwell headquarters.
Kudos to John Erb, David Miller, Joseph Osterle, Steve Lucas and frank Femenias for identifying the Mineola location for the still standing Maxwell-Briscoe Vanderbilt Cup Race headquarters.
Greg O. and Howard Kroplick
Closeups
Hint; A view of the house's garage in a different year
The garage sign was moved to the headquarters for the 1906 American Elimination Trial and the Vanderbilt Cup Race.
The Maxwell engine had 12 horizontal, opposed cylinders of 6 1/4 inches bore and 6 1/4 inches stroke.
1906 fencing at the Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue Intersection
Note: The Painless Parker poster that is also seen in the Mystery Foto.
Comments
I can only identify the building (130 Jericho Tpke. Mineola), as it is still there, just off the northeast corner of Jericho Tpke and Willis Ave. Known as Krug’s Corner, as Krug’s Hotel was just across Willis Ave. from this building. Vanderbilt Cup races ran there 1904, 05 and 06.
This was used by the Maxwell racing team of the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor company. This building is at 136 Jericho turnpike near Willis ave in Mineola and still stands there today. I’m not too sure what race is occurring here so I’ll just guess that its the 1906 VCR. I could not find a single gentleman in the picture that was not wearing a hat so my answer here is “zero”. As George Costanza would say: this would’ve been “a bald man’s paradise.” And of course, (and without even looking) I assumed “painless Parker” was a dentist.
First impression is we are looking at the building currently on Jericho Tpke, just east of Willis Avenue, on the north side. The fencing means the race came through here. Which I believe occurred in 1905 and 1906. In 05 the race coming straight down Jericho from the west, in 06 there was a turn from Willis Ave.
Looking at old over heads and maps trying to figure out where this garage was that you include. And trying to identify that nice house behind the garage. Yet undetermined.
Maxwell team used this garage and house as their headquarters.
1/4 mile before the start and finish line - Jericho Turnpike near Roslyn Road
1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
All men were wearing a hat or cap
Painless Parker practiced unorthodox methods of dentistry and was known for his showmanship. Pictured is credited to the Detroit Public Library, articles are from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Aug. 19, 1906, Sept. 2, 1906)
Parker practiced in Brooklyn for a while in a large building, but also brought his dentistry on the road. Interesting coincidence regarding Painless Parker - In 1906 Parker had a yacht built that he named “Idalia” - the same name of the hurricane that the southeastern states (including my state, NC) just battled. The yacht was still sailing until 1954 when it sank after leaving Honolulu. Additional documentation being sent to Greg.
The Maxwell team used that house for its headquarters during the 1906 American Elimination Trial race. Based on another post from some years ago, it was located on Jericho Turnpike near Roslyn Road in Mineola. Looks like everyone is wearing a hat or cap so the correct answer should be “none”. Painless Parker was an itinerant dentist who travelled with a band to attract customers. He would perform so-called “painless” tooth extractions while the band played loudly to drown out the patient’s scream.
NE corner of Jericho Tpke and Willis Av in Mineola, 136 Jericho Tpke- building still stands today as Atlantic Travel agency. Photo is looking NNE. 1906 VCR. Makes sense this structure served as a race team headquarters as was Krugs corner just across the street.
Great research Art, appears Parker performed his own extractions. Steve, I can still hear the screams today echoing throughout the Appalachian valleys ;D
Thanks Frank! Here’s some more info on “Painless Parker” if any one is interested. And next time you visit the dentist, beware! lol
Sorry for the duplicate photo. Coffee hasn’t worked yet this morning.
A few more documents. From “Sealift” Magazine, July, 1964 and “The Long-Islander” June 1, 1917.
Amazing work Art and Greg! Keep it up