Vanderbilt Cup Races

Made in China!

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

The place: Bellerose Manor, Queens (239th Street - 241st Street). The photographer is looking northwest.

The date: June 17, 1940.

The tragic event: Two B-18 bombers from Mitchel Field collided during a training exercise, raining debris and fuel over the neighborhood of newly-built homes. All 11 men aboard the planes were killed, and a woman on the ground suffered burns from fuel that ignited her home and died the next day.

The large cluster of buildings is a hospital (possibly Creedmoor). Today it’s a nursing home.

The Motor Parkway is barely visible towards the top of the Foto. I see the bridge over the Cross Island Parkway, which would open a few days later. The road in the middle of the Foto, which separates the neighborhood from the hospital, is Hillside Avenue.

From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens

HOWARD THAT’S THE OLD MOTOR PARKWAY SIGN ON WILLIS AVE. AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE WILLISTON PARK AMERICAN LEGION HALL, 730 WILLIS AVE. BOB VALENTINE SPURRED THIS SIGN AND IS WHERE WE HAVE OUR GREATER NEW YORK REGION AACA MEETINGS ON THE FIRST KNIGHT OF EACH MONTH.  IT WAS SPURRED BY THE MOTOR PKWY. ASS. ALSO.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

What a wonderful story!

From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1

I’ve been lucky enough to know Gram for many years, and feel I’ve witnessed the growth of his passion and knowledge. And how lucky Gram is to have such an incredible boss and supportive family. I really enjoyed reading this story and getting a lesson of what passion and determination truly means.

From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1

Soon as I read the label on the cap, realized the label is a replica of the Historic Sign within the Wheatley Hills Golf Club, in East Williston. LIMP, which was constructed prior to the existence of the Club & Golf Course, ran North & South throughout; creating a golf course on the East & West. There was also a bridge that connected both of the courses. Bridge was originally built for the Titus Farm that existed prior. The LIMP curved West on the North Side. This section was uncovered and kept that way, with the Historical Sign nearby.

I might want to purchase a one of these neat caps from the club!

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Wheatley HIlls Golf Club?
Rationale: The hat inscription describes the formation of the golf course
Yes, I would buy this hat if available.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Howard and Roz I’m sure this is one of the many reasons you do all you do for the automobile culture here. You are so generous with your time and collection. Thank you and Gram what a great story and looking forward to part 2

From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1

Gram’s words here bring tears to my eyes. His childhood was deeply influenced by our early explorations of The Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. And both The Beast and Howard have had an amazing influence over all of my Son’s life choices.
So proud of you Gram.
So grateful to you Howard.
This is a prime example of legend becoming reality as both The Beast and it’s road roars with impact.

From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1

What comes to mind is the old Salisbury Country Club (now Eisenhower Park) where the golf course(s) were originally bisected by the LIRR Central Branch. Once the tracks were pulled up in the 1940s (?) the courses were no longer divided and were combined and the roadbed became a cart path. I would assume that the hats are available for purchase in the current park or at the golf courses. I am not sure that I would purchase one since I don’t golf.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

What a pleasure it was to see this on an early Sunday morning. Thank you to Gram and to Howard for bringing so much enthusiasm and joy into everything you do!

From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1

Additional documentation.  I probably would purchase the cap if reasonably priced.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

The cap includes the inscription that refers to the location of the Motor Parkway at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston.  So I would presume its for sale at the golf’s pro shop.  The inscription is the same as on a plaque that sits on the golf course.  Photos are from the Centennial book published by the Wheatley Hills Golf Club.  The plaque with the inscription shown is from golfadelphia.com.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

I love it.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Based on the wording of the emblem, I think you might be able to purchase this cap at the pro shop at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club. That club was formed in 1913 and was split in half by the LIMP. Not being a “hat person”, I probably wouldn’t buy it but I would love to have the emblem as a patch.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Great hat find! The Wheatley Hills Golf Course in E Williston is the only golf course on Motor Parkway’s 45 mile right-of-way that is equally divided on both sides by the parkway. A pedestrian bridge on this golf course was constructed for golfers to gain access to the remaining 9 holes of the 18 hole course. Is this hat available for purchase, or only for club members?

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Great idea, but the letters are way too small.  At least somehow make:  “Long Island Motor Parkway” bigger.

From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club

The history of these early racing cars is just mesmerizing! Thank you for sharing such unique insights into Barney Oldfield’s legendary machines.

From Saturday Request: Information on the Christie Racers from Barney Oldfield's Great-Great -Nephew

Hi Dennis, the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the only race that ran clockwise from Queens to Jericho/Hicksville

From Kleiner's Korner: A 1934 New York Times Interview with Willie K.

Lake Success, Manhasset Hills, North Hills all in one fantastic foto, looking NE, before 1936, NY25D- Little Neck Rd present (future LIE). Photos below

From Mystery Friday Foto #44 Solved: A Lake Success Aerial