Vanderbilt Cup Races

In June 1946 the American Car Club 50th anniversary event was held at the old
Mineola fairgrounds.  Old Number 16 is pictured and the driver was Joe Tracy with
young Jerry Helck the mechanician. The fairgrounds are now just a memory, replaced
by the current Nassau County Supreme Court.  I had seen midget autos race on this dirt
track around 1948. My “seat” was a tree limb on the far turn outside the fence.

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

Thanks, Dave. We know their all being filmed,etc. But I/We can relate to everyone on that show. Wish they invite us all their!

Hunting Hitler is another favorite of mine. The psycho is dead by now, but I really get into their discoveries, etc.

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

Good one Brian!

Man I really want to love that show, oak island. It’s right up all of our alleys you know? It has so much potential. But I’m always disappointed at the end of each episode! They’ve pulled every string in the world….when are they gonna find something???? I keep thinking the network couldn’t be on board unless they knew this was leading to something good….but it never happens. Enough with the analytics!

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

So, as we can see from the older photos, the lodge was basically on top of / right next to the LIMP.

Was the house moved back away from the road at some point?

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge

I went on the “suffolkcountyny.gov” site ( imaps ) to see where a total of 1650 ft heading W/O both Old Rosevale Ave and Rosevale Ave would land. It ends up at the intersection of Motor Pkwy/ Oakdale Ave. Have no doubt the renovated lodge is further east to Woodlawn Ave, I’ll just have to drive by there; after the holidays of course. And you can’t miss this house, with The Russo Team providing a excellent photo of it.

A Happy and Safe Holiday Season to All!

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge

I give you all the credit in the world for the in-depth detective work you do to bring the Island’s history back to us and generations to come. Thank you so much!

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

Wow, nice blog Gary.  I’m happy they think the ticket is so special.  I think there was a whole box of them but I don’t know what happened to it.  Long gone.
Donna

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

Robertson’s pretzel indeed. Just one lap on the new layout with the old machine would’ve been enough for anyone. I often wonder how any driver could sustain and finish the grueling course, 400 miles of it no less. The prizes were well deserved. The avg speed of the racers must’ve been slower compared to the earlier, staiter layouts, regardless of ‘modern’ improvements to the auto. Much fish-tailin’ goin’ on ‘round ‘36.

From Helck Family Collection: The Story Behind Peter Helck's Artwork for this Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster

As always, excellent work with the mapping overlays; Frank. You bring the LIMP “back to life”.

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

Me too, Dave! I liken Art and his buds planning in “The Office” to “The War Room” ( The Curse of Oak Island, History Channel ).

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

From Al Velocci:

The Bethpage Lodge

The Damiano family were the last family to live in the lodge.

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

Looks like one of the first 3 and its not Massapequa
Since it looks abandoned and the period,being a color photo, early 1960’s my guess is Bethpage lodge.

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

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