Vanderbilt Cup Races

A Proposed Racetrack

As reported in the January, 1926 look back, a racetrack was proposed in today's Levittown, just south of the Motor Parkway between Jerusalem Avenue and Bethpage (Hempstead) Turnpike.   It would have replaced Aqueduct Raceway in Brooklyn.   (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 7, 1926).

The sale only became finalized when the hiers of A.T. Stewart "the merchant prince" were located and their consent was given as the property was part of their large holdings in the Hempstead Plains.   (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 7, 1926)

The man gate of the track was to be at the juncture of the Motor Parkway and the LIRR tracks on the north side of the property.  (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 7, 1926)

The location was near other entertainment venues and outside the required distance from the County Court House in Mineola (but only by 3/8 mile).   (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 7, 1926)

The Motor Parkway in a Criminal's Testimony

One of my earlier posts detailed a robbery that occurred at the Bellmore Bank in 1924 which featured the Motor Parkway as the gang's meeting place.   The ensuing trial in 1926 included testimony pertaining to the role that the Motor Parkway played.   (Times Union Feb. 4, 1926)

One defendent, Ambrose Rose, testified against other gang members.   (Brooklyn Daily Times Feb. 3, 1926)

Testimony indicated the Motor Parkway was the gang's meeting place after the robbery.   (Brooklyn Daily Times Feb. 3, 1926)

"Give it to him" one of the defendants was said to have said, then the gang filed into the getaway car, a Buick, and drove to the Motor Parkway.  (Brooklyn Daily Times Feb. 3, 1926)

Ross identified the exact spot on the Motor Parkway Newbridge Road bridge where the gang changed from the Buick to a National.  (Times Union Feb. 4, 1926)

The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge used by the gangsters!  (True Detective Mysteries May, 1930). 

Another defendant denied he was on the Motor  Parkway waiting for the gang after the murder!   (Times Union Feb. 4, 1926)

Where the getaway car was found in Hicksville.  (True Detective Mysteries May, 1930). 

Real Estate Transactions

Three acres sold in Herricks near the Motor Parkway and the Links Golf Club.  (New York Evening Post Feb. 3, 1926)

I believe the three acres are in the blue box based on the description of its location near the properties of Henry Root (H.R.) Stern and Ring W. (R.) Lardner.  (E. Belcher Hyde, 1927)

A 1926 aerial showing the location just south of the Motor Parkway.    

Stern was a lawyer who along with his wife is listed in the 1930 U.S. Census as living on Old Country Road in Plattsdale.  This might have been another property he owned.   (U.S. Census, 1930)

By 1939 it appears Stern acquired the three acres and more along the Motor Parkway.  

This 1940 census record shows Stern, his wife and several servants living on 67th Street in Manhattan.  I believe the property in Herricks was his country estate.  (U.S. Census, 1940)

Stern is listed in 1950 as living on Old Courthouse Road along with a waitress, maid and chauffeur, but not his wife.   (U.S. Census, 1940)

Land (and more) for Sale!

A previous ad for this auction near the Motor Parkway appeared again in February.  Note the auto-truck for sale!  (The Long-Islander Feb. 5, 1926)

Central Islip with frontage on the Motor Parkway.  (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 7, 1926)

The Motor Parkway sold 1 1/4 acres near Melville for $1,500.   (Brooklyn Daily Times Feb. 9, 1926)

Thirty-five acres for sale near the Parkway for $500 an acre!  (Brooklyn Eagle Feb. 14, 1926)

Another sale by the Parkway, this time in Ronkonkoma.   (The County Review Feb. 25, 1926)

That's it for February, 1926!  Onto March news.