Long Island Motor Parkway
-
Feb 24 2011
1955 Lincoln-Mercury Times Article “Granddaddy of Superhighways”
As described yesterday, the Lincoln-Mercury Times in 1955 published an article "The Granddaddy of Superhighways" by David Kahn with illustrations by Harvey Kidder. These are highlights of the article published 17 years after the Motor Parkway closed: (4 comments)
-
Feb 23 2011
The Long Island Motor Parkway Paintings By Harvey Kidder
In 1955, the Lincoln-Mercury Times commissioned illustrator Harvey Kidder to paint five scenes of the Long Island Motor Parkway to accompany an article "The Granddaddy of Superhighways" written by David Kahn. Here are the five paintings with the captions used in the article and my suggested revised captions: (5 comments)
-
Feb 15 2011
Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
Only two Motor Parkway bridges remain standing in Nassau County- in Manhasset Hills and Old Bethpage. Here is background on the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge and your opportunity to help restore it... tonight! (4 comments)
-
Jan 19 2011
From the Ridolph Collection: The Motor Parkway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits
As posted last November, only eight of the 60 bridges built from 1908 to 1926 for the Long Island Motor Parkway are still intact (five in Queens, two in Nassau County and one in Suffolk County). My hesitation is that the lone surviving intact Suffolk County Motor Parkway bridge is located in very private property in Melville and has not been seen by the public in over 15 years. But, let's start at the beginning before crossing that bridge. (3 comments)
-
Jan 08 2011
Then & Now: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Bethpage State Park
When the 48 miles of the Motor Parkway were completed in the late 1920s, a total of 65 bridges had been built over and under the parkway. Most of the bridges were used to avoid intersections of major roads. However, many of the bridges were built to connect adjoining properties and farms. These "farmway" bridges were part of the negotiations when the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc. purchased the right-of way. One of the farmway bridges connected the east and west sections of the Botto farm… (4 comments)
-
Dec 28 2010
Neighborhood Journal Film Series: Part IV: The Birth of the Motor Parkway
Cablevision's Neighborhood Journal has developed a five-part film series on the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The producer and narrator of the film is Bob Klement who is interviewed by host Joanna Venditto. The five parts of the series are: (0 comments)
-
Dec 18 2010
The Bethpage Challenge Part IV: A Few More Gems From Deadman’s Curve
Over the last three days, the location of the second Bethpage Deadman's Curve was documented as being north of Central Avenue on the Stymus property. A closer look at the photos and documents reveals a few more new and old gems: (4 comments)
-
Dec 17 2010
The Bethpage Challenge Part III: The Second Deadman’s Curve
After exploring aerials, maps, surveys and construction photos of the Central Avenue/LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge over the last two days, Part III of "The Bethpage Challenge" will provide evidence of the location of the "Dead Man's Curve" shown in this postcard. . (0 comments)
-
Dec 16 2010
The Bethpage Challenge Part II: Building the Central Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge
Part II of "The Bethpage Challenge: Documenting the Second Deadman's Curve" features photos of the construction of the Central Avenue/LIRR Bridge located in Bethpage (then Central Park). Because this bridge was the largest on the Motor Parkway and was used for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, it was well-documented by photographers. The following rarely seen photos are courtesy of the Garden City Archives. Reference points have been noted to match common areas in the photos. (4 comments)
-
Dec 14 2010
The Bethpage Challenge Part I: Documenting the Second Deadman’s Curve
One of my favorite Motor Parkway images is this 1909 colored postcard of a race car practicing on "Dead Man's Curve" for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. For years,most LIMPers and I believed the postcard depicted the almost 90 degree curve near North Hermann Road. But, I am convinced that the "Deadman's Curve" in this postcard was north of Central Avenue in Bethpage, then called Central Park. Over the next several days, I will document this second "Deadman's Curve". Today, supporting information… (0 comments)
