Vanderbilt Cup Races

The photo was taken in 1930, probably in November because that’s when Ramon Novarro’s latest film “Call of the Flesh” (released on 8/16/30) was being shown at various theatres in Suffolk County including the Patchogue Theatre which had been built only five years earlier. Joseph Fiala had a paint store at 199 Railroad Avenue in Sayville at the time and also did home redecorating. Otto Marx ran a pharmacy on Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma for many years. Chesterfield and Camels (partially hidden on right) were two of the “big three” cigarette brands (along with Lucky Strike). With regard to possible locations of the photo, the only road that makes sense is what was called at the time “the road to Ronkonkoma”. Today we know it as (going north from Sayville) Railroad Avenue, Lakeland Avenue, Ocean Avenue, and Rosevale Avenue where we find the beginning (or end) of the Long Island Motor Parkway. But exactly where on this road? At the intersection of Veterans Highway or Sunrise Highway? NO, neither had been built yet. I’m guessing the northwest corner of Lakeland Avenue and Church Street in Bohemia since Church Street was a well used road even then and was a main route from there to Patchogue. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see these billboards along Lakeland Avenue closer to the Sayville LIRR station.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

I suppose everyone knows Chesterfield was a cigarette brand—targeted at women. The other signs are unknown to me.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

prob.Commack Rd.,south of Motor parkway. Sign is pointing north and the sign for the Patchogue Vaudeville puts it around ‘22 to 24. Also the style of the Chesterfield sign.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

Thank you for posting the 1941 photo of the Horace Harding/Francis Lewis Blvd. intersection. Although I was born in 1948 after Francis Lewis Blvd. had been extended through Cunningham Park, I remember the lampposts and traffic lights, which were in use throughout the City at that time. Notice that the traffic light has only two beacons; red and green, without a yellow caution light. When the light turned from green to red, both the red and green would flash at the same time for about one second to provide a caution. The old cast iron style of lampposts are coming back in the City now, although I surmise that they are not really cast iron. I also distinctly remember the traffic jams and multiple lights at this location where Horace Harding, Francis Lewis and Hollis Court Blvds. intersected before the expressway was built. And soon after the expressway fully opened at this location in 1960, the Blue Bay Diner opened on the corner from which the photo is taken (1962), and Bishop Reilly was built due south abutting the south service road (1962), which is where the driving range is in the photo. Because I lived only four blocks north of the intersection, I essentially “grew up” at the location.

From The Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range near the Motor Parkway Western Terminus

Why won’t the owner of the sandpits let you on the property to take some pictures?
________________________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick

Eric, good question. I assume they are concerned they will somehow lose control of the bridge.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #53: Clody Farmway Bridge in Huntington (Melville Sand Pits)

I see what you mean Mitch. Thanks for the correction. They were teeing off towards the south in 1941! I had it sideways. I now wonder how many golf balls ricocheted off the N Hemp Tpke bridge over the years. Teeing there must have ended when construction continued on Francis Lewis Bl south of HHB. Those photos and aerials speak a thousand words and were fortunate they’ve recorded history as time goes by. Thanks again Mitch and Howard

From The Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range near the Motor Parkway Western Terminus

I’m thinking maybe these advertisement signs would’ve been posted on the E/S of Rosevale Ave, Lake Ronkonkoma, somewhere between present day Portion Rd and the present day interesection of the LIMP/Rosevale Ave. Figuring the Motor Pkwy sign is arrowing south towards the LIMP, and Patchogue is basically south of where I’m figuring this location is.The time period , I don’t know Chesterfield cigarettes are’nt as popular now? I took a look on wikipedia.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

Your absolutely right Rob. A breakdown of an older fashioned tire valve stem, as laid out in parts on the table.

From Saturday Search: A 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Wooden Post?

May be a valve installation tool.

From Saturday Search: A 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Wooden Post?

Year was 1930.
My best guess for the location would be in Sayville at Montauk Highway and present day Lakeland Avenue (If you are westbound).  Lakeland turns into Ocean Avenue, leading to Lake Ronkonkoma and the LIMP terminus. The arrow is pointing to the right (northbound).
The billboard behind the LIMP sign shows the Patchogue movie theater advertising a Ramon Novarro movie “Call of the Flesh” and a Jack Oakie film, which played there in 1930.
The next sign, “Otto Marx Rheumatoid Remedy” advertised for Marx’s Pharmacy, located in Lake Ronkonkoma. Joseph Hala had a paint store in Sayville and featured Lucas Paints.
The last sign advertised Chesterfield cigarettes.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

The “device” appears to be a tire valve stem.  Perhaps the post was part of a Continental Tire and Repair Station along the course?

From Saturday Search: A 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Wooden Post?

1st closeup shows things going on in Patchoque 2am on May, I think 1980, May be live Vaudville..2nd closeup, I can’t make out what it says, but it’s in Ronkonkoma 2 miles away. 3&4 close ups ?  Motor Parkway sign is pointing, that you can get to those places on Motor Parkway, I wish the signs were clearer, I could do better than this. The signs are on a road going north and south. I’m going to try to do some research on these signs and get back to you.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

Also uncovered the second movie playing at the Patchogue Theater as ’ Let’s Go Native’ starring Jack Oakie, also from 1930.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

What is the exact year that this photo was taken?

1930

What was the likely location of these roadside signs?

In, or near, Lake Ronkonkoma.

Where was the Motor Parkway sign pointing to?

Probably towards the Ronkonkoma Lodge entrance.

Provide details on any of the advertisers.

Otto Marx was a pharmacist in Lake Ronkonkoma. Chesterfield and Camel (behind the Otto Marx billboard) were/are obviously cigarette makers. The Patchogue Theater (opened in 1923) billboard is showing ‘Call of the Flesh’ from 1930 and finally, Joseph Fiala, as per his 1965 obituary, opened his paint store in Sayville the year before (1929)

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

What is the exact year that this photo was taken?

• 1930, probably October.

What was the likely location of these roadside signs?

•  Ronkonkoma, probably on or near Rosevale Avenue.

Where was the Motor Parkway sign pointing to?

• The Ronkonkoma Lodge entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway.

Provide details on any of the advertisers:

• Chesterfield is a brand of cigarettes, popular during the 1920’s and ‘30’s, originally manufactured by The Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company and named for Chesterfield County, Virginia.  The brand is still made today by the Altria Group.

• Joseph Fiala moved to Lake Ronkonkoma with his family in 1913 and opened Joseph Fiala, Inc., a retail paint and wallpaper store at 199 Railroad Avenue in March 1928.

• Pharmacist Otto Marx was an American born in 1874 in Rottwell, Germany, where his father was stationed as American consul.  Mr. Marx owned and operated a pharmacy on Hawkins Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma between 1922 and 1946.

• The Patchogue Theater was located at 71 E. Main Street, Patchogue, now the Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts.  The theater was built as Ward and Glynne’s Theater in 1923.  The theater was acquired by the Prudential Theater Circuit in 1929.  According to an ad in the October 14, 1930 edition of the Patchogue Advance newspaper, “Call of the Flesh,” staring Ramon Novarro was shown at the theater on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 14th and 15th, 1930; and “Let’s Go Native” starring Jack Oakie was shown between Thursday, Friday and Saturday,  October 16th,17th and 18th, 1930.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Roadside Signs in Lake Ronkonkoma in October 1930 (Updated: 1/28/2015)

Thanks Frank! I think you’re a little off. The driving range stood exactly on top of the Francis Lewis Blvd. extension south of Horace Harding Blvd. I’m sending Howard three JPGs showing a closeup of the range. You’ll know what I’m saying when you see them.

PS: the bridge taking the LIMP over Francis Lewis was later replaced by the one that is there today.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #2 Solved: Cunningham Park, the Motor Parkway and Union Turnpike in 1938

Hi Howard:

  Another great segment of the LIMP and a great memory for me from1981….

        My Best To You Always !!!!  Cheers !!!!  Ron

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #53: Clody Farmway Bridge in Huntington (Melville Sand Pits)

Hi Mitch!
I believe you are double-correct. Your interesting facts began a fun investigation. Howard, I’m submitting photos of the finds. Thanks Mitch and Howard.
_________________________

From Howard Kroplick
Jpegs have been posted above.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #2 Solved: Cunningham Park, the Motor Parkway and Union Turnpike in 1938

So very interesting indeed….Thanks for sharing Paul Macone…..

From A 1913 Journey to Paris in an Alco Touring Car (Updated: January 19, 2015)

From Dan Scheidel:

When ever I drive down Old Country Rd., Garden City and pass Roosevelt Field I think back on the days of my youth and would see various gararges with nationality flags or banners of race car companies and companies involved in auto racing years back.  I’ve done some reseach on your web site regarding the Vanderbilt Races and wonder if they, the garages, were part of those races.  1936 and 1937. I guess I was about seven or eight years old and my father had to work at Police Headquarters in Mineola at that time.  I know this may be a strange request but are there any pictures of those garages?

Thanks for your patience.

Dan

From The Tire and Repair Stations of the Vanderbilt Cup Races