About
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
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
Thanks, Howard, for the great record keeping. Truly keeps our history alive.
Ann
From Kleiner's Korner: The Nassau District Attorney and the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Alley Pond Park around the time of its opening in the 1930’s. The roads around it include the Motor Parkway and the under construction Union Turnpike on the south,Winchester Boulevard on the east,and the recently built Grand Central Parkway on the north. The north parking lot looks pretty full,I wonder what was going on that day. The overlook feature on the north side of the Parkway gradually became neglected and overgrown and much has changed and deteriorated over the years
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Those ball fields are in Alley Pond Park. Major roads include Winchester Blvd., Grand Central Parkway, and Union Turnpike (under construction). Since the GCP looks fully operational, I’m guessing the date in the late 1930’s, maybe around 1937. The LIMP is visible in two places: running diagonal in the lower left corner and curving from the side to the top in the upper left corner. LIMP structures include the bridges over Winchester Blvd., under GCP and over Rocky Hill Road (Springfield Blvd.) along with the Rocky Hill Toll Lodge and entrance ramps. Also, I think I see the pedestrian tunnel under the LIMP and Union Tpke.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
It looks very familiar except for the lower left corner; appears as though a road is being constructed. I grew up in Fresh Meadows. In the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, my friends and I would take our Ross 3-speed racers on the Motor Parkway from Peck Ave all the way to what we thought was the end, which was on a rise that overlooked Creedmor. Then heading back we’d get off the Motor Parkway after a short distance to go to, what I think are shown, the ball fields; we wouldn’t have our bats, but we had our mitts and a one or two balls. From the looks of this, the photo must have been pre-War because I don’t see any housing. So, I’m not quite sure that these are the ball fields that I remember. I’m also guessing that the lower left corner shows Union Turnpike under construction. I know that Grand Central already was finished by 1928-30, and that Union Tpke was constructed in the ‘30s as part of the WPA. Oddly enough, the future 4-star general who headed the Army Services of Logistics/Supply during WWII, Gen. Somervell, headed the City of NY’s WPA projects, which included among other projects LaG Airport (‘39) and Union Tpke. I’m a Marine veteran (‘69-‘71) and have as one of my avocations American and some World history, with an emphasis on the US military, especially the Corps. Indeed, the CCC during the Depression was run by the military. I look forward to viewing the correct answers next week. Thank you.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Alley Pond Park.
Grand Central/Northern State Parkway under construction to the left of the baseball diamonds.
Union Turnpike on the other side of the baseball diamonds.
Motor Parkway just to the right of the GCP/Northern State.
Probably around 1936 given the parkway construction
Creedmore State Hospital at the far right across Union Turnpike.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
... I don’t know any place on LI today which has fields side-by-side!
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
This looks like Alley Pond Park in Queens. It was officially opened to the public in 1935 so I’m going to say the picture was taken close to that time. The lack of an expanded Creedmore Hospital that should be in the lower right of the picture may substantiate this. Winchester blvd splits the photo from right to left horizontally. The wider road at the bottom left should be Union tpke. The straight diagonal road at the bottom left next to Union tpke is the LIMP with its overpass over Winchester blvd.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Alley Pond Park. Winchester Blvd. Grand Central Parkway.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Curious to know how much time to ride from Queens to Bridgeport CT in 1905? Most connecting bridges weren’t built yet. I’d bet they arrived by ferry
From Kleiner's Korner: The Nassau District Attorney and the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Looks like Alley Pond Park.
Roads (top to bottom): Grand Central Parkway, Winchester Blvd., LIMP, Union Turnpike.
No idea about the date. Guessing some time in the ‘60s, before the GCP was widened and the GCP/Cross Island Parkway/Winchester Blvd. interchange was rebuilt.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Joseph Tracy?Along with Al Poole? Didn’t the Officer consider just how important these men were? And still are! Lol, sure Joe felt very embarrassed about the whole thing. And He and Al were perfect gentlemen with the law, I’ve no doubt. Maybe 40 mph then would equate to doing like 70 now.
From Kleiner's Korner: The Nassau District Attorney and the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Lower Alley Pond Park. Winchester Blvd and Union Turnpike. To the North is Northern State Parkway.
From Mystery Friday Foto #37 Solved: Play Ball! At Alley Pond Park!
Amazing research Art. I was unaware of police enforcement during the races. It appears enforcement occurred just before and just after the 1905 race, but not during the actual race.
From Kleiner's Korner: The Nassau District Attorney and the Vanderbilt Cup Race
The photo captioned “Good going on one of the oiled roads of Long Island” is on Northern Blvd looking east. The columns on the right are the west entrance to the Whitney estate. Attached is a postcard looking directly at the entrance. Whitney Pond is on the right.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 5 - Motorcycling on Long Island Roads
It was a great show. Congrats!
From 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III and 1948 Tucker 1044 honored at the 2024 Lime Rock Concours
Howard / Gregg Thanks again for showing us your amazing collection.
It was a beautiful day
Thanks
Ed Owsinski
LI & NYC Oldsmobile Club
Cell 631.848.4955
From Save The Date- This Sunday, September 8, 2024: For a 'Duesy' of an Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage
The racer was a Mercedes.
The driver was Al Campbell. They did not like the number 13 that was drawn, and painted an “X” on the
Radiator in place of the number.
The race was held on October 14, 1905
The location of the photo was the Mansion House. On the corner of Old Northern Blvd, and Remsen Ave,
Roslyn, 4 miles north of the Cup Race Starting point in Mineola.
The Mercedes headquarters was at the Mansion House as well. 4 miles north of the start/finish line
In Mineola.8
From Mystery Friday Foto #36 Solved: The 1905 Mercedes 'X' Racer Arrives on Long Island
Hi Howard, It will be great to see you and your latest additions .
From Save The Date- This Sunday, September 8, 2024: For a 'Duesy' of an Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage
See you later
From Save The Date- This Sunday, September 8, 2024: For a 'Duesy' of an Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage
Looking forward to seeing you and the Duesenberg tomorrow.
From Save The Date- This Sunday, September 8, 2024: For a 'Duesy' of an Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage
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