Vanderbilt Cup Races

Feb 23 2009
The Alco Team at the 1911 Elgin National Trophy Race

From 1909 to 1911, the Alco-6 Black Beast Racer competed in 13 major races. The Alco's last race was at the Elgin National Trophy Race held on August 26, 1911. Despite finishing a strong second , the American Locomotive Company decided to quit racing two weeks later. Lee Ferbin of Springfield, Missouri has forwarded the above image with this amazing commentary. (0 comments)

Feb 22 2009
The Vanderbilt Cup Race Brassards

During every Vanderbilt Cup Race, all officials wore silk brassards (armbands) to allow them on the course. This latest acquistion to my Vanderbilia collection was a brassard worn by two officials. (0 comments)

Feb 21 2009
The Motor Parkway Bridge Under Old Country Road in Mineola/Carle Place/Garden City

As discussed yesterday, over the next week, I will be highlighting the Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Race structures located near the Stewart School in Garden City. Today, the focus is on the Long Island Motor Parkway bridge under Old Country Road (shown within the red circle). (0 comments)

Feb 19 2009
The Parkway Behind the Stewart School in Garden City

I am very excited to be visiting the Stewart School in Garden City this Tuesday. I will be consulting with a group of dedicated 4th and 5th graders who are researching the Long Island Motor Parkway. (1 comments)

Feb 18 2009
The Toll Kiosks of the Motor Parkway

Bruce, according to my research, eight of the 20 Long Island Motor Parkway toll collection structures were kiosks, booths or shanties. As discussed last week, it is my opinion that the above kiosk at Nassau Boulevard (as seen on July 9, 1938) was originally built by the Motor Parkway. As shown below, the Nassau Boulevard Toll Lodge (kiosk) was similar (although smaller) than kiosks in Lake Success, Mineola and Brentwood. (0 comments)

Feb 18 2009
Newsday “Vanderbilt Museum gets a donation from a Vanderbilt”

Bill Bleyer of Newsday reported on Tuesday that Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Conner of Mahattan, a cousin of Willie K., has contributed $10,000 to help the "financially troubled institution keep its doors open". (0 comments)

Feb 17 2009
The Ronkonkoma Lodge in 1930

Last week, I posted images of the Long Island Motor Parkway toll collection structures at the western terminus in Queens. Here is a rare photo of the Ronkonkoma Lodge on the other end of the Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma. As with the Rocky Hill Road Toll Booth, the Ronkonkoma Lodge also straddled both lanes of the Motor Parkway. (4 comments)

Feb 15 2009
Alco Mechanics at Work

Over 250 people have come to see the Alco-6 Racer since its return to Long Island including Joyce and Richard Roman of West Babylon. Joyce is the granddaughter of Jens Thorvald Jansen, one of the Alco mechanics who prepared the car prior to its victory in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race. (0 comments)

Feb 13 2009
Newsday Cites Sayville Presentation

Newsday cited tomorrow's "Long Island Motor Parkway" presentation at the Sayville Historical Society in its Explore Long Island section. (0 comments)

Feb 12 2009
Lou Meyer’s Crash During the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race Practice

Rupert, this photo shows the Type 59 Bugatti after it crashed in practice one day before the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 12, 1936 at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury. Louis Meyer (wearing the helmut) was one of the leading racers of the era and the first three-time winner of the Indy 500. (0 comments)