Vanderbilt Cup Races

The photographer is facing north on Commonwealth blvd in Queens.  In the distance is the overpass that carried the LIMP over it.  At first I thought this overpass was for a train crossing because of the trestle type design.  I later realized that in 1912 New York City required all Motor Parkway crossings over public roads had to be constructed in the “trestle” type.  The car is a 1928 Chevrolet (AB series).  The ladies by the car are either waiting for AAA or contemplating how many of those roadside bricks they can fit inside that Chevy.

This is a really fabulous picture of old Queens.  Looking north on Little Neck Parkway, we see the steel bridge of the LIMP crossing east to west.  The bridge still has the look of being in use.  I will say the 1930’s.

I think we are looking north on Little Neck Parkway in today’s Glen Oaks section of Queens County. Off in the distance is the L. I. Motor Pkwy. going from left to right with its railroad style bridge going over LNP. The ladies have parked their car facing west on what I believe to be Union Turnpike. It looks like there are piles of cobble stones awaiting placement as paving of Union Tpke. Since Union Tpke. hasn’t been paved yet and the ladies are in sleeveless dresses, I’ll guess the date as summer of 1931, maybe July. I’ll guess the car to be a late 1920’s Overland.

It’s Little Neck Parkway, I think, with a view north at Union Turnpike. Early 1930s, maybe 1931.

A house that stands roughly where that site is now is still referenced as “Queens Crest,” surprisingly, in this real estate listing: https://www.loopnet.com/property/25115-union-tpke-bellerose-ny-11426/36081-085060036/

I believe the bridge that is visible is the Little Neck (Road) Parkway Bridge: https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/long_island_motor_parkway_bridge_series_11_little_neck_road_motor_parkway_b

No clue on the car!

A Motor Parkway NYC “railroad-type” bridge crosses that road in the distance. Because the road curves north of the bridge, the photograph is standing on the current Little Neck Blvd, looking north.
Counting the number of utility poles suggests the photographer at Union Tpke., which was the southern boundary of the Queens Crest development, established in 1926(!). However, the sign does not name the original development company, indicating a date later than 1926.
The auto is a Ford Model A Tudor Sedan, sold from 1928-1931. However, the wheels are more like those seen on a Model A truck!
Some women are wearing a hat style that did not exist before 1931. As they all seem stylishly dressed, that suggests 1931 or 1932.
Trees in bloom suggest summertime.
However, I must disqualify myself as the line outs on the photo give away the date to me!

Photo was taken when this part of the road was (briefly) called LN Blvd., and not LN Road. The bridge inventory list presented the August 6, 2016 post lists this as LN Blvd; the original bridge plans in the November 3, 2011 post reflect the earlier LN Road name.

However, by 1931-32, the Queens Borough President was advocating this road as a future major north-south link under the unifying name LN Pkwy. (Utopia Pkwy was named similarly planned and named.)  Because the source of the photo is the Borough President’s office, the photo is labeled “Pky,” even as usage would have varied at time!

Looks like either Commonwealth Boulevard or Little Neck Parkway in eastern Queens,view looking north towards the Motor Parkway

- Queens, Little Neck Road, the Motor Parkway - looking north from Union Turnpike
- Little Neck Road Bridge
- Based on the attached 1926 article, the Queens Crest housing development, located at the intersection of Union Turnpike and Little Neck Road was opened in 1926.  As the mystery photo doesn’t show any homes having been built yet, I’m assuming the photo was taken in 1924 or 1925.  Map is from 1928. 

We are on today’s Little Neck Parkway looking north with the Long Island Motor Parkway bridge in the distance.  The crossroad is the Union Turnpike. Based on the sign on the left my guess is that the ladies are checking out building plots in the area in the early thirties. Not sure of the auto, Howard had an interest in buying it but decided on the Duesenberg instead.

The Photographer was facing North on Little Neck Parkway. The Women & Automobile are stopped along a dirt & gravel Union Tpke. Then that’s the LIMP & Bridge in the near distance. Maybe the year is around 1925.

The vehicle looks like a Nash Ajax, from about 1927 or so.

On Little Neck Parkway, near Union Blvd, looking north toward Queens County Farms and Motor Parkway over Littleneck Parkway bridge .
Some time between 1930 and 1938?

Also just remembered that this was during the relocation of the LIMP at Winchester Blvd, then east into Creedmore. Portion of the LIMP shifted north, for the expansion of Union Tpke. And the tunnel was constructed from Creedmore, then beneath the LIMP & Union; for the hospital

What is the building off in the top right and where would that approximately be today?

If the NYC bridges are steel, what about the 73rd Ave and Hollis Hills Terrace?

Eric - the buildings in the ‘Now’ photo are the North Shore Towers just south of the GCP, west of the county line.

Forgot to add the ‘now’ view of Union Tpke east at Little Neck Pkwy.