The Vanderbilts
The Family that Built a Transportation Empire
The Vanderbilts were one of the oldest and best-known families in America. Jan Aertsen van der Bilt emigrated from Holland around 1650. Although his descendants prospered as farmers on Staten Island, New York, they lived modestly; it was only during the lifetime of Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877), known as the “Commodore,” that the family name became synonymous with extraordinary wealth.
Related Posts
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May 13
2013
Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course
The Mystery Friday Foto has been solved: It was Willie K driving his 1903 Mercedes at Krug's Corner in Mineola during the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
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May 11
2013
A Mother’s Day Tribute: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont
In celebration of Mother's Day, this is a photo tribute to William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s mother Alva Vanderbilt Belmont.
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May 08
2013
Inspiration for the Mansions of “The Great Gatsby” & The Hempstead House Screening Gala
Literary scholars believe two inspirations for F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby may have been William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s mother's Beacon Towers and John Scott Browning, Sr.'s Land's End, both located in Sands Point.
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Mar 30
2013
Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont’s Beacon Towers in Sands Point
My favorite Long Island mansion was the amazing Beacon Towers built for William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s mother Alva Vanderbilt Belmont in Sands Point. As a special holiday treat, here's a classic "Then & Now".
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Feb 07
2013
The Birth of the Long Island Motor Parkway
The death of a spectator in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race nearly brought the classic to a premature demise. The marvel was that only one spectator had been killed in the three races held up to that time. Demonstrating vision again, William K. Vanderbilt Jr. chartered the goal of a…
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Nov 19
2012
Hemmings Classic Car: Automotive Pioneers- William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
The January 2013 issue of Hemmings Classic Car celebrates its 100th issue with several amazing articles including this profile of Willie K.
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Oct 17
2012
1904 Renault Vanderbilt Cup Racer
The Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA) has forwarded this marvelous photo from their archives of the 1904 Renault Vanderbilt Cup Racer.
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Aug 27
2012
On the Vanderbilt Cup Race Course: The Lake Success Hotel and Cottage
Another hotel on the 1905 and 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race courses was the Lake Success Hotel and Cottage.
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Aug 22
2012
The Amazing Roslyn Estate of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator
Clarence Mackay (1874-1938) was the heir to the Comstock silver fortune and a major figure in the development of the international telegraph business. Before and after the Vanderbilt Cup Races, Mackay would host huge parties for friends and business associates at his 648-acre Harbor Hill Estate overlooking the village of…
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Jul 21
2012
Image Analysis: Motor Parkway’s Opening Day Sweepstakes
Steve M: "I have obtained two 19 1/2" x 16 3/4" race photos of Herb Lytle. What can you tell me about these photos..the who, what and when? I look forward to your response."
The partially completed train crossing is obviously Mineola or Albertson. Staring at the picture it could easily be…