Vanderbilt Cup Races

Good point Sam. Was scratching my scalp on this one as well. I’d first guessed 40 acres was likely the NE corner that extended north beyond the RR tracks, than the smaller NW portion; both judged by the street lengths indicated on the map. Tricky stuff. 
It’s amazing how history can be resurrected by a mere parking ticket, meant to be discarded and destroyed soon after distribution. This is history as good as it gets. Thank you Gary for sharing this gem, and to the Pratt family for retaining this artifact for so many years.

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

I also say keep up the good work guys

From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Without extensive homework, I’d guess at Bethpage; It’s one of the first three Pope lodges, Meadow Brook, Massapequa, and Bethpage, The chimney placement matches Bethpage but not Massapequa or Meadowbrook.  The next/last three Popes, Garden City, Roslyn, and Great Neck, had wooden posts and a central chimney.  Selah!  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

Based on the shadows and angle of the sun, we’re probably looking at a lodge on the north side of the parkway. That means it’s either the Bethpage or Massapequa lodge. Most photos of Massapequa I’ve seen show the chimney covered with stucco so I’m going with the Bethpage lodge, which was about 300 feet west of Round Swamp Road and last occupied by Louis and Ida Damiano. Since the lodge was demolished in 1961, the photo was probably taken about that time.

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

Just a reminder that that historical marker is (or at least was) incorrect <http://sbiii.com/b-uattwn/meiii4/pix/limpmark.jpg>; Arthur (Rayner) Pardington was NOT the Engineer of the LIMP.  He was the V. P. and General Manager.  Sam, III

From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Not sure I understand which corner; if it was the south-EAST corner, it belonged to Chas. Crowley, NOT Chas. Crosby.  [As an unrelated aside, note the proximity of Mme. Le Boudy’s {sic} property to the French Aero Station.]  Sam, III

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

Gary, this is a great post and history, all developing from that parking ticket. Your research and documentation are excellent and the story gave all of us a great insight into an important but often overlooked aspect of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. Thanks so much.

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

Looks like it might be the Bethpage Lodge at Round Swamp Road about 1961.
The Damianos were the last occupants after the Parkway closed.

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

Rare color shot of a lodge! Guessing, Bethpage Lodge looking NE, the black/brown stripes under the porte-cochere match this other rare view. http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article//rare_view_of_the_bethpage_lodge

If correct, photo taken after 1961 when gatekeepers Louis Damiano and wife Ida vacated the premises, possibly taken just before demolition based on deterioration and overgrown brush. The Damiano’s were toll collectors from 1922-1938, and continued to live in until 1961. Thomas Grafenstein was the original collector. Don’t know how long the structure lasted while vacant. Located just west of Round Swamp Road, the lodge was one of six designed by John Russell Pope but one of the first three erected. The other two were Meadowbrook Lodge (1908-1938, destroyed 1950s), and the Massapequa Lodge (1908-1938, destroyed 1960s).

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

I lived on Old Country Rd. and Bert Ave . I knew James and William ” Willy” Pratt. They owned the construction Co. Pratt Bros. where Burger King and Shiro of Japan is today. James lived on Carle Rd. South of Old Country Rd. and Willy lived off of Glen Cove Rd. James’ house was torn down years ago. Their office was where Burger King sits today and they stored and fixed their equipment in an old barn were Shiro is today. I don’t know who owned the farmhouse and barn but it may have been the Hoeffners..

Great post I didn’t know their previous background on that they owned a farm.

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

Garden City Lodge off Glen Cove Road?

That was later moved 7th Ave off Franklin Avenue - Used as a Chamber of Commerce.

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

Identify the lodge and its exact location. Provide a rationale.
The Bethpage Lodge was located just west of Round Swamp Road and south of Manetto Hill Road (now Old Bethpage Road).

Who was the last family to live in the lodge?
The Damiano family- last toll keeper of the LIMP.

What is your best guess of the date of the photo?
The toll keeper’s family moved out in the late 50’s, sold to a developer and demolished in the early 60’s. -1961 ish

From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963

The Motor Parkway did not run through or adjacent to the Queens County Farm Museum.  It ran just north of Elkmont Avenue, along what is now the southern border of the Green Meadows Farm Petting Zoo parking lot.

From Remnants of Long Island Motor Parkway Discovered in Queens

Great post.  I love your work.  And completely enjoy your website.
Thank you.

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

No problem Mike.  Hope all is well.

From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Great job guys. Keep it up. That pic of the maxess road bridge shows there has been more damage to it. The concrete was smooth up beyond the date stamp last year. But recently it seems to have chipped down. Not good.

I love how you guys meet in the office before the journey! Keep exploring!

From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Looks like it was an interesting day. Sorry that due to a family emergency I was unable to be there but I’m hoping to do it the next time. Thanks for the invite Art. You have my cell number!

From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Great vid guys. This is first educational and entertaining as well. THANK YOU. It gives a more realistic view of what is really inside. Cant wait to explore it myself. Keep it up!

From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens

What seems certain is that the racer is a Fiat S74 with Barney Oldfield at the wheel. The location wouId be Santa Monica, but I found two dates, 1911 and 1914. 1912 seems to make more sense, because Oldfield started in that race on a Fiat S74 and I have a picture of him wearing a Select Kid Maier overall during the race, but the text on the car seems to be absent. So I’m not sure.
The Fiat S74 was first used during the American Grand Prize of 1911, but was officially designed for the French Grand Prix of 1911, which never took place.

From Mystery Foto#50 Solved:The 1911 FIAT S74 Driven by Barney Oldfield in the May 1912 Santa Monica Race

Sam III - I remember Eddie Murray, he was a heck of a first baseman!

Yes, we went through the south side, you are correct. Three is a small opening on the north side that Sammy could struggle through, but why bother? The south opening is not exactly big by any stretch, but you can get on your back and wiggle through.

But certainly once you get in there and get down a little bit you can surely walk around under there, as you can see from the video. I’m 6’1” and was walking around no problem.

From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens