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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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Recent Comments
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
In answer to Mr. Frank Femenias, comment about the odd dimensions of the balcony that could have very well been a balcony for plants and decorative foliage and it probably was, but from a child’s mind, we always thought of something more freighting, after all we thought it was an old haunted house and plants just didn’t fit in. Thank you for your observation. I’m sure your right.
In regards to Mr. Walt Gosden, I agree with you on that magnificent structure and the surrounding grounds, how anyone with any forethought, being the town, county or state did not try to save that property, two acres on lake front, four acres altogether with an incredible view of the lake from the hill where the Petit Trianon was built, the building itself was made of stone with a slate roof, it would have lasted forever, inside some of the plaster came down from the ceilings, probably from rain getting in, but basically the old girl was in great shape, no vandalism to speak of and all the boarded glass, even up to the fire of 1958 was still in tact. Thank you for your forethought. Somebody dropped the ball.
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, 45 7th St, Garden City, NY
How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?
• The Garden City Hotel served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Commission from 1904 to 1910.
What was the approximate date of the photo?
• 1973
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
My best guess is that may be the Garden City Hotel under the wrecking ball in the ‘70s. W. K. Vanderbilt used the hotel for board meetings of the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
It looks like the takedown of the Garden City Hotel in 1973.
The hotel was host to participants and spectators of the Vanderbilt Cup races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
The Garden City Hotel Shame!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
That looks like the third incarnation of the Garden City Hotel (45 Seventh Street) in beautiful, downtown Garden City, NY. as it was being demolished in the summer of 1973. It was the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission from 1904 to 1910.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
7th street & Cathedral Ave., Garden City. The Vanderbilts were frequent visitors there. Meetings for construction of the Long Island Motor Parkway were attended there. Doing this from a phone, no fun.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Garden City Hotel (most famous third version, 1901-1973), during demolition after filing for bankruptcy. Look Out Below!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This is an absolutely wonderful insight into that magnificent structure and the surrounding area. Thank you Mr. DeStefani.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
This is the original Garden City Hotel on the north side of 7th Street in Garden City. There were one or more dinners there during the Vanderbilt Cup race to celebrate the event.
It was the gathering place for old cars every Easter many decades ago, and I remember going to annual antique shows there and even at a young age marveling at the “grandness” of the place.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Identify the building and its location
The demolition of the 3rd incarnation of the Garden City Hotel in Garden CIty
How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?
The Garden City Hotel served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission from 1904 to 1910.
What was the approximate date of the photo?
Jan. 15, 1973
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This is the Garden City Hotel. Not sure when it was demolished. Maybe early 1980’s? Perhaps the site of Vanderbilt awards ceremony and or lodging for race teams.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Demolition of the Garden City Hotel in 1973. The Hotel hosted many of the racers and attendees.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This picture must be when the idiots in charge knocked down the original Garden City Hotel in Garden city. It was torn down in 1973 and replaced with garbage. The hotel was used as headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Hi Howard:
Answer: Garden City Hotel….. Ron
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Could also be a third occupant sitting behind the driver. I’ve yet to see anyone sitting behind Willie K while driving.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved Again: Ralph Beardsley's Simplex Practicing for the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race
I loved this. Thank you Mr. DeStefani for the descriptive view of the interior. I know a child’s memory and views of early events can be precise and everlasting. Mine sure are. Those small balcony doorway/windows over the reading rooms are indeed strange. My best guess for their purposes was to keep the guest off the balconies for safety reasons (the low walls outside), and were probably used as crawl access points for maintenance crew outside. Those balconies could’ve been used for displaying large plants or trees high up, complImenting the famous inn. Looking forward for more insights from within!
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
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