Vanderbilt Cup Races

Dave, glad you found it.  Both sides of the unbuilt bridge are shown on my website link below.  I’m fortunate to work with the daughter of the homeowner on whose property lies the east abutment and who has invited me to explore a few times.  I always tell him that one day he’s going to wake up and find me with a backhoe digging up the parkway between the abutments.  Its got to be there.

http://www.freewebs.com/limparkway/gardencityunbuiltbridge.htm

From Sam & Dave’s Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure III: The "Mayan Ruins" in Garden City

I’m back. Now I see the “lower walls” that are on each side of both abutments, Dave. After watching your video clip, I’m convinced those lower walls are buried. On the older photos of the abutments, there’s a “crease” maybe 1 and 1/2 ft down from the top. And then on each side of the abutments, the concrete angles downwards. In the beginning of your video, I definitely see the “crease” and angled concrete. I don’t know if you measured the height of the exposed abutments, but guessing their 2 and 1/2 to 3 ft high? Knowing how high they are not terribly important.

I wonder if your next adventure is exploring the southside of the past Old Country Rd underpass. Probably need a shovel for that one. We’ll get the Oak Island Team over their!

From Sam & Dave’s Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure III: The "Mayan Ruins" in Garden City

Great coverage of this area, Dave and Sam!

The original grade of the LIMP north and south of this unfinished bridge is peculiar. There’s definitely an uprise due north, and also an uprise due south. There had to be quite a low point in the road at this location. I guess this would’ve provided ample clearance for a finished bridge.

Comparing the original and your current photos, it’s clear to me that the flat walls and slopes are quite evident on the east and west sides.

After the LIMP was abandoned, this slope had to be buried/leveled for the future housing. I remember Jaspers LIMP section when inspecting the steel towers, etc. Nice and level, like a backyard patio. When I would walk/patrol thru these backyards, you can tell where the LIMP was buried. Either the ground level would be a bit high or low, right up to Old Country Rd.

Always look forward to your travels and findings, Dave and Sam!

From Sam & Dave’s Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure III: The "Mayan Ruins" in Garden City

The car is the Carl Kelsey sponsored Maxwell which did the 1909 cross continent drive by this woman, Alice Huyler Ramsey, and three female companions.  The photo is taken some time after that event in 1909 as the snow is on the ground(though the car has a 1908 license plate, were they one and done or renewed every year?  That may blow a hole in the book caption I have).  The drive began from NY on June 9 and ended August 6, 1909 in San Francisco.  The Maxwell Junior automobile was purchased for her by her husband, future NJ Congressman John Rathbone Ramsey, because of her inability to control a horse.

The only Vanderbilt Cup race connection I can find with her is her having been seen off in New York by Joan Newton Cuneo, a more famous lady racer who’s driving coach/mechanic was Louis Disbrow who drove in the Vanderbilt Cup races. 

The Maxwell automobile was manufactured in Tarrytown NY and somehow morphed into Chrysler….so that’s not a LI connection….ah….here tis…..“Maxwell entered racers in the 1906 American Elimination Trial, and the 1908, 1909, 1910 Sweepstakes associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races. No Maxwells participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910.”-from the Vanderbilt Cup Races site. 

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved:Alice Huyler Ramsey & Her Maxwell Prior to Her 1909 Transcontinental Journey

“What an incredible history!!!  Thank you so very much for sharing these beautiful photo’s with information for all to enjoy.  I moved to Pawling when I was around two yrs. old (1946) from Montrose. PA.  My Dad worked for Pawling Rubber Co. , Glen Arden Farm and Sheffield Farms.  I remember vaguely attending picnic hosted by Lowell Thomas and Raymond Thornberg (married to Lowell Thomas’ sister Pherbia).  Wish I had photo’s to share from this lovely time.”  Sharon Boo

From Mystery Fotos #42 Solved: A 1948 Picnic at Lowell Thomas' Home in Pawling, New York

This was a very interesting find. Amazing that this is still here.

Maybe we can start a little discussion here: looking at the old photos, it is clear that you have the bridge abutments, but then north and south of the abutments you have a small wall. I’m wondering now if the remaining remnants shown in my pictures are of this small wall, and not the bridge abutments???

If it were the abutment it would be the upper portion of the abutment which means, why did they “bury” the lower portion of the abutment? And where did all of that fill come from and why?

And if it was filled, how is it that just south of this location at Arthur Jasper’s house, the original LIMP pavement is still visible - at the same elevation as the regular ground?

I’m thinking my pictures might be of the wall on either side of the former abutments. Let the discussion begin!

From Sam & Dave’s Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure III: The "Mayan Ruins" in Garden City

I have friends that live on Russel Rd. they have the Motor Parkway ROW in the back of their yard.

From Sam & Dave’s Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure III: The "Mayan Ruins" in Garden City

What a cool day-trip. Nothing lasts forever, and most are likely aware of, “This amazing 5-minute film documents the opening of the museum on August 27, 1948…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo6jh1T6nBo

Tom Gibson

From Hamptons Road Trip: A 1928 Renault Barn Find & Site of the Long Island Automotive Museum Up for Sale

Andy Hartwell… I know this blog is 6+ yrs old, but visit the “suffolkcountyny.gov” website ( imaps ). Motor Parkway E/O Old Nichols Rd specifically. I measured between property lines on either side of the parkway at various points, and 100 ft is the average distance ( which just happens to be the original width of the entire LIMP ROW ). Pretty much every house on either side of the parkway has anywhere between 30 to 40 ft extra front yardage in this area because the original LIMP ROW remained established. The imaps go back as early as 1947 and up to 2013. The parkway width appears original in 1947, and widened of course in 2013. In this area, I think the parkway wasn’t diverted from it’s original path.

From Then & Now: The Ronkonkoma Lodge

From Pamela Hirschhorn:

Happy New Year Howard,

Thank you for such an informative and fun newsletter ( my, am I showing my age! ).
I had the pleasure of coming of age on Long Island, enjoyed the 75th anniversary of the Vanderbilt Cup, had the pleasure of meeting Austie, and learning about brass from Les Cutting.

I am now living in Harrisburg, PA, right in between the hollowed grounds of Hershey and the very popular Carlisle. I have been hosting an online calendar of events, http://www.northeastwheelsevents.com for 6 years. The calendar encourages enthusiasts to explore more of their hobby through museums and events outside their normal interests. This is why we need people like you to reach out to new enthusiasts by posting your events, events which feature brass and pre-war history, and historic lectures. These listings are free.  In season, an average of 2,000 active enthusiasts visit the calendar. We need to get more of these people to look beyond their ‘57’s, muscle and tuners. As I am sure you know, look at the attention you get when you display your fine collection at different events.

Time is running out the pass our passions onto the next generation. Every post is important. List and share your 2017 events now so people can plan to attend.  Invite your friends to help pass the torch and list their events. Let’s get the next generation involved before all of our cars end up as specimens in a museum.

Thank you for your help in keeping our history alive,
Pam Hirschhorn
site manager

Go to http://www.northeastwheelsevents.com/events and click ” add “
Be sure to upload a photo and post your links.

From The Top Twenty-Five 2016 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Howard,
This is a little late, but nevertheless sincere congratulations on your award.  Sheila and I wish you and your family a safe, healthy and happy New Year.
Rog

From The Roslyn Times: Local historian wins award

Wow, what a treat!!!!  I loved the last race of Joe Tracy and Old 16 not to mention the fantastic piano music.  Many thanks to Wally McCarthy and Howard Kroplick.
Rog

From Helck Family Collection: "The Most Thrilling Race I Have Ever Seen" by Barrett H. Clark, Jr.

Hi all,hope you had a great New Years. These pics are great,what memories they bring back of the past year and probably more to come this year,and will go on and on as always and will be remembered.

From The Top Twenty-Five 2016 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Happy and Healthy New Year to all Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races enthusiasts.  Glad to report I’ve generated some interest among some of my friends in our efforts and hope to do more info sharing in 2017.  Actually one member of my New Year’s Eve group mentioned he saw Howard’s post about my most recent tour and saw my name.  He’s been interested in the Parkway since being a LILCO foreman and used their survey maps for work related activities.  He’s traveled most of the right of ways in Nassau which he quickly realized an old road existed in many places and hence the interest.  His wife bought him Howard’s Motor Parkway book (Howard, she even got you to autograph it being sending it out) and has been a avid follower of the blog.  Too bad he doesn’t have access to the surveys anymore.

Sorry for the diversion, back to the mystery photo.
Who owned all three automobiles? How was he linked to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?
Willie K!  Obvious connection.

Identify the three automobiles and their significant accomplishments, if any.

on left - 60HP Mors - won the 1903 Eagle Hill Rock Climbing Contest in West Orange, NJ. Also broke the record for the one-mile hill climb.

on right - 1900 23HP Daimler Phoenix (“White Ghost”) - won 3 of the 5 mile races in Aquidneck Park, RI.

in middle - 1902 40HP Mercedes Simplex - Broke the kilometer speed record in 1902.

From Mystery Foto #53 Solved: A Rare Look Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Long Island Garage in 1904

Mystery Foto# 53… The three auto shown were owned by Willy K who, of course, was the founder of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The car to the left was a 1902 Mors, the middle car was a 1904 Mercedes 90hp and the car on the right was a 1904? Renault. Some or all of these cars were used as race cars, hill climbers and course patrol cars.
Here is a quote regarding the Mercedes.
“In the early hours of 27 January 1904, a Mercedes 90 hp car was racing over the flat sandy beach of Ormond-Daytona in Florida. After a small number of test runs William Kissam Vanderbilt jr., affectionately known in the media as “Willie K.”, had set off on a record-breaking trip across the sands. The millionaire from New York, had a good feeling at the wheel of his racing car supplied by the German Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). The racing driver’s confidence was borne out when the eight timers clicked their stopwatches: 39 seconds for the flying mile was the official result. This corresponded to 92.3 miles per hour (148.54 km/h), marking an absolute world record for land vehicles”.

From Mystery Foto #53 Solved: A Rare Look Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Long Island Garage in 1904

Well, let’s see: who would have been wealthy enough to own three racers in 1904 on Long Island and be able to store them inside a building? Can only think of one person: Willie K. himself, creator of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The photo was probably taken at his Deepdale estate. I think car #1 is the 1902 70 hp MORS “Z” which Willie K. drove to a 3rd. place finish in the “Circuit des Ardennes Race” in July, 1902. Car #2 could be the 1903 MERCEDES that he used to establish the 1 mile land speed record at Ormond Beach in January, 1904. Car #3 looks like another MORS.

From Mystery Foto #53 Solved: A Rare Look Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Long Island Garage in 1904

Love the film!  Nice seeing those “modern” 1940’s cars also.  Shows perspective.

From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds

Howard,
Thanks for listing my Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Ticket as one of your top 25 posts picks!  Quite an honor!  Hopefully this year will continue to bring on new and exciting discoveries - Wishing you and the rest of the Vanderbilt Cup Races family a Happy and Healthy New Year!

From The Top Twenty-Five 2016 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

In 1904 there were scant few folks who would have the means to own three automobiles and keep them in a quite stunning large garage.  One was Willie K, and after poking around it appears they were all throttled by him at one point.

The car on the left is the 1902 60-hp Mors automobile which he ran int he 1902 Paris-Vienna Race, finished third in the 1902 Belgian Circuit des Ardennes Race and won the Eagle Rock Hill Climbing Contest in West Orange NJ in 1903.

The middle auto is a Mercedes, I’d believe the 1904 Ormond Beach one mile LSR 90 h-p Mercedes which ran 92.3 mph on the sands and held the world LSR for a time.

The car on the right I’d at first thought was a Franklin, but Willie K never had such a beast.  It was his 1900 23 h-p Daimler “White Ghost” which he raced to an average 33 mph in several 1900 5 mile races.

So all are raced cars, though not necessarily race cars.

From Mystery Foto #53 Solved: A Rare Look Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Long Island Garage in 1904

I grew up and still live about a quarter mile from “Hoeffner Corner,” the original sight of the “Noon Inn.”  I remember as a kid playing with family and friends around and even inside the inn, which I believe no longer had its front porch and had construction equipment out back.  Until now I had never seen photos of the building on its original sight and always wondered whether any existed.  Thanks for posting!
_______________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick:
John, I was raised on Hemlock Avenue in East Meadow. My friends and I always thought the building was haunted!

From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury