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The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
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Recent Comments
Location: Jericho Tpke. looking East at Willis Ave. Trolley wire over Willis Ave. can be seen. Krug’s Hotel on N/W corner. The dark colored house on north side of Jericho is still standing, has different facade. The current Mineola Diner now occupies the property to the west of that structure. The Teddy Bear on car with the right hand drive and female passenger would be a symbol for President Teddy Roosevelt. As for the reason for the outing, possibly a group of prospective real estate investors or folks looking for a new home in suburbia. Newly planted trees on south side of Jericho, east of Willis, may indicate recent land development. The ladies being along for the ride might, also, be indicative of such a venture. I can only ID on car for sure, a REO, possibly a 1905. Great Mystery Photo…Thanks!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Let’s see how I do this week. The location,Krugs Corner,a dead give away,the sign,Frank P Krugs. The building still standing,Atlantic Travel. The symbol for the President is the,Bull Dog. I think that’s better than what I’ve been doing,what do you think?
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
The photo’s location is the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue, Mineola. You are looking east down the Jericho Tpke. The building on the left (NW corner of Jericho & Willis) is Frank P. Krug’s East Williston Hotel. Advertising on the signs on the building are for “Lion Brewery” and “Pilsener Beer”.
The building 2nd from the left still stands on Jericho Turnpike today.
The most surprising aspect of this photo is the lack of development in the area.
Since you state the photo is a Summer 1908 touring cruise, from a LIMP album, my guess is that the date is June 6, 1908, and they are on their way to the ceremony on the Barnes Tract, Jerusalem Road, Central Park [Bethpage] where the first spadesful of earth will be turned starting the construction of the LIMP.
On the hood of the car in the middle of the photo sits a Teddy Bear – named for Oyster Bay resident & U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
The 2nd automobile from the right is a Reo.
Also located in the photo is one of the poles used by the New York and North Shore Traction Company for their trolley line (which had opened on November 16, 1907). It is located with a cross arm hanging over Willis Ave. (in between 2 of the windows along side of the brick building still standing today).
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Fantastic picture of Krugs Korner looking east down Jericho Tpk from Willis Ave, dont know what the purpose of the cruise was, probably people getting ready to travel to the new grandstand in Levittown. The house still standing is the one next to Mr. Cheapos record store on the north side and the Mineola Diner would have been right in front of that, KFC across the street caddy corner to Krugs was that big hotel. Sorry i have no clue about the Presidential reference or the makes of the cars but i go to this intersection quite often, watching people going by with no clue of how that corner was so important years ago. I would love some then and now pictures with tuesday’s answer.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
So we’re not able to answer all of your questions but here’s our answers for most of them.
What is the exact location and orientation of the photo?
Looking East on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola just West of the intersection of Willis Ave.
Which building in this photo is still standing?
The building just to the left of center in the photo. It stands close to the Northwest corner of Willis Ave and Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. Most recently it was occupied by Atlantic Travel Agency.
What is the most surprising aspect of this photo in comparison with its current view?
Where is a symbol of the 1908 President of the United States?
The Teddy Bear on the hood of the vehicle just to the left of the center of the photo. In honor of Teddy Roosevelt
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Looking East, Krug’s Corner, Willis Avenue crossing Jericho Tpke. 136 Jericho Tkpe still standing, and looks very much the same as it did, for the most part.
Not really surprised. The background is so empty. Jericho tkp is rural and residential.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Love the Teddy Bear….. On the radiator cap!
T R’s is still there!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Love the Teddy Bear….. On the radiator cap!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: A Summer 1908 Touring Cruise to Krug's Corner and the 1908 Race Course
Is the Tim Ivers who has replied to a number of your Mystery Photos the same Tim Ivers who grew up in Uniondale on Park Place???
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage
Nice find on the pics and info guys. These may be the first attempts towards motorized cycling. That 1908 model is crude and really resembles a modified bicycle. It seems the moped of the 70s, 70 years later, borrowed the same idea integrating pedalpower with horsepower.
From Motorcycles of the Vanderbilt Cup Races Updated: 4/28/2016
We drove to Montreal a few months ago for a family event and stopped at SAM on the way home; what a great choice! Really nice museum with a great collection. I happen to work for Sears, and was surprised to find an early Sears car there in the collection. And I was very surprised to see exhibits about Long Island there.
From Amazing Photos of the Alco Black Beast During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Always has a great show, but with you their it made it even better, as always. at any show you go to, your cars are all unique, nothing else can be said about them.
From The 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Showstopper at the 11th Annual St. Patrick's Car Show
It was nice to see you at the show Howard. What a great day for a car show! The Mustang was indeed drawing a lot of attention. Glad to hear that you are bringing the Mustang and the Chrysler to Greenwich in June. See you soon!
From The 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Showstopper at the 11th Annual St. Patrick's Car Show
Sorry Howard,wrong post,I meant the question to be for the mystery photos. I know it’s one of the curves,right? I hope. Thanks
From The Day an Airplane Crashed Near the Plainview Road Motor Parkway Bridge Updated 3/19/16
In noticing the sandy mound in the background of the older picture, could that be the exact spot where the electric tower stands today in the current photo ??
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From Howard Kroplick
Michael, I was thinking the same thing when I saw the current view.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage
Didn’t get a chance to get back to it,as you can see. Is it the second Deadmams Curve?
______________________________
From Howard Kroplick
Ted, it is approximately one mile north of the second Deadman’s Curve.
From The Day an Airplane Crashed Near the Plainview Road Motor Parkway Bridge Updated 3/19/16
I didn’t really commit to trying to solve this past mystery. What always impresses me is how the LIMP was constructed with teams of horses, etc. We all know hand digging is back breaking work. These laborers had to hand shovel deep enough to hit ground water. God bless modern day machinery.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage
This scene was shot from Plainview Road Bridge during the opening races of the new LIMP, the Long Island Motor Parkway Sweepstakes, which were held on October 10, 1908. In all there were 5 races for different stock car classes, driving different distances. Apparently the races were held concurrently. Driving in front with J11 is W.R. Burns on a Chalmers-Detroit, competing in the Jericho Sweepstakes. He is followed by Lytle on Isotta P42, competing in the Motor Parkway Sweepstakes. Both drivers would win the classes they were competing in. About the structure in the background I could only guess, so I leave that to other, more knowledgeable people in the field.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage
This mystery photo may show 2 first place winners! Here is the J-11 Chalmers-Detroit up front, being driven by W.R. Burns of the Jericho Sweepstakes; and the P-42 Isotta trailing, being driven by Herb Lytle of the Parkway Sweepstakes. Both vehicles are part of a 5 Sweepstakes’ race that ran concurrently at the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes. The other 3 Sweepstakes were Meadowbrook, Garden City, and Nassau.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/vcrsys/Images/Alco/Image1-601_edited-2.jpg
This race was the christening for Long Island Motor Parkway’s opening. The photo was taken atop the Plainview Rd parkway bridge looking SW. The structure is a left-over water tower used during the parkway’s construction. Just to the right (south) of J-11 by the ROW fence, was the site of an airplane crash that claimed the lives of all two servicemen on board, 31 years later in 1939.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_day_an_airplane_crashed_near_a_long_island_motor_parkway_bridge
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage
Hey Brian, I think you are correct about the posts. Like you, I also believe only the outer ROW posts were consistent, where those were used for keeping non-paying travelers away from LIMP property. Also, the inner roadway posts were mostly used in hazardous roadway conditions like curves, elevated roadways, and bridges. Before parking began at the airport, roadway posts there were not necessary as the airport sat on flat and straight ground. They were most likely installed afterwards to shield the parked cars from LIMP traffic. I’m sending Howard a photo of the same area where no roadway posts appear, and when vehicles were parking on the south side on Hempstead Plains instead (a swampy area). I believe Willie K’s objection for LIMP access to the airport was all about safety, but since LIMP traffic turned out lighter than expected, access was then granted.
From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: Motor Parkway Parking Space Adjacent to Long Island Aviation Country Club
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