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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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Nice aerial, most likely another Fairchild. At center of roadway spaghetti is the LIMP western terminal, Fresh Meadow, NY, looking west, July 1939, closed for autos 1 year, opened for pedestrians/speedy bicycles. I see the toll entrance kiosk at center of LIMP roadway just south of Horace Harding Blvd (L.I.Expwy), also visible is the LIMP North Hempstead Tpke parkway bridge, the 73rd Ave (Black Stump Rd) parkway bridge, Hollis Court Blvd (intact), Union Tpke section on upper left edge, Central RR (abandoned) adjacent to the kiosk. There’s Fresh Meadow golf (1932 U.S. Open) at N Hemp Tpke and 186th St, Tee-Off golf just south of Horace Harding Blvd and Hollis Court Blvd, Kissena Park golf at Booth Memorial Ave (N Hemp Tpke) and Fresh Meadow Ln, Flushing Meadow Corona Park (Valley of Ashes) boating at Meadow lake, and Holy Cow basketball yet to be.
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939
Identify the location: Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway, Fresh Meadows
Identify the Motor Parkway structures: 73rd Street Bridge, North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge
Identify the other major roads: Francis Lewis Blvd., Nassau Blvd. - North Hempstead Turnpike, Horace Harding Blvd., Hollis Court Blvd., Northern Blvd.
Identify the sports-related areas: Fresh Meadows Golf Club, Fresh Meadows Driving Range, Kissena Golf Club, Cunningham Park
What was the date of the aerial? 1938
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939
This photo appears to be looking west with the photographer flying over the northern section of Cunningham Park. The LIMP runs left to right (south to north) with its western terminus at Horace Harding Blvd., the main road running from bottom to top through the center. LIMP structures include bridges over 73rd. Avenue and North Hempstead Tpke. The toll lodge (booth) at Horace Harding Blvd. could still be there although it’s tough to tell. Other main roads in the area include Union Tpke., Hollis Court Blvd., 164th. Street, and the northern section of Francis Lewis Blvd. (under construction) although it was probably still known as Cross Island Blvd. at the time. Besides Cunningham Park, other sports areas include the first Fresh Meadows Golf Course (opened in 1923) and the Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range. Because of similarities between this photo and mystery photo #2 from earlier this year, I think they were both taken around the same date of June 24, 1938.
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939
Fresh Meadows….1939
Looking west…Nassau Boulevard on right
North Hempstead Turnpike on left
Motor Parkway and bridge running diagonally across middle
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939
Thanks Howard.
From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway
What happened, no pictures, just the newspaper clipping?
______________________________________
From Howard Kroplick
Ted, photos will be posted next week.
From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway
Identify the location
-LIMP Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows
Identify the Motor Parkway structures
-The North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge, & the 73rd Avenue (Black Stump Road) bridge both built in 1926.
Identify the other major roads
Black Stump Road, North Hempstead Turnpike, Queens Road (Later Hollis Court Boulevard)
Identify the sports-related areas
Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range, Fresh Meadows Golf Course
What was the date of the aerial?
July 23,1939
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939
I drove my 1931 Model-A-Ford in the parade with the group for the entire lenght.
Passing through many towns along the way I observed many folks outside waving flags and enjoying our visit pass them.
The sun warmed our hearts, and the people filled our dreams.
It was a wonderful day, Indeed, a wonderful day.
From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway
This is a surprise. I asked for all 4 one of ones at Field of Wheels and I get it here,so now I have to make plans for this one. You’re really outdoing yourself this time. You’re the best,keeping history going.
From An Invitation to Be Part of History at the US Merchant Marine Academy on Sunday, May 17, 2015
I always thought the cupola was saved and placed onto the new building, but based on the dramatic picture i now know different. Good Pic !
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From Howard Kroplick
Really surprising that they made little or no effort to save it!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Looks like the 2nd Garden City Hotel. Believe it was demolished in the early 70s.
Willie K and associates adjourned to there after the 1906 race to determine how to make the races safer—and they came up with the idea for the Long Island Motor Parkway. I was and still am a member of the Sunrise Trail division of the National Model Railroad Association. We held the Northeast Region convention in those walls in 1967.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This is the falling tower of the old Garden City Hotel during its demolition in January 1973 (the NY Times reported about the demolition on January 16th). It was located in Garden City village in the town of Hempstead and was the headquarters of the Vanderbilt Race Commission during the Long Island years of the Vanderbilt Cup race (1904-1910).
I’m surprised that the prominent top of the tower wasn’t rescued: although the photo is of an almost surrealistic beauty, the falling tower makes a very ornamental and sound impression on me!?
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Mr. R. Troy, that is quite possible as the ceiling in the main dinning room was over thirty feet high.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Identify the building and its location: Garden City Hotel, Garden City
How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races? Served as Headquarters for the races from 1904-1910 as well as a place to stay for race participants and fans.
What was the approximate date of the photo? January, 1973.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Garden City Hotel, in downtown Garden City. Circa 1972 during demolition. Hotel was the sight of lodging during 1906-1908 VMP races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Some buildings in Disney World have, on higher levels, small windows, etc. that from street level look normal sized and that sort of make buildings look taller then they really are. This may have been intended to create an illusion in this house.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Having grown up in the Lake Ronkonkoma area, and being a racing history buff, I am particularly in this series. Thanks so much!
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Sad day indeed, and fantastic photo. Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY. Headquarters of the organizing committee for the LIMP corporation. On or just after 16 Jan 1973.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
From Ann Albertson
I believe it is the Garden City Hotel, located at 45 Seventh Avenue in Garden City.
It was razed January 16, 1973. It had served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt CupRaces 1904 - 1910. Long Island winning driver of 1908, George Robertson, stayed at the Garden City Hotel.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
The Garden City Hotel located at 45 Seventh St., Garden City was razed on January 16 1973. It was the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race 1904-1910 where winning Long Island driver 1908, George Robertson, stayed.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
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