Vanderbilt Cup Races

Fred, thanks for the information. I revised the copy above.

Howard

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: Creedmore Hospital and Commonwealth Boulevard Motor Parkway Bridge in 1941

From Fred H.

Hi Howard,

As a former resident of North Shore Towers, Queens, i can state with certainty that the high point of Queens is on the GCP Service road between Little Neck Pky and the city line.

Here is an article from a Google search of highest NYC points:

Queens

High Point: Sidewalk near North Shore Towers - 260+’

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: Creedmore Hospital and Commonwealth Boulevard Motor Parkway Bridge in 1941

As to Mr. McCarthy’s reference to the various sidings ooff the LIRR mainline, I recall there was an extended “Y” going North off the LIRR at the East end of Republic running along Repoublic Road, which Y eventually served as the “turn-around” for trains terminating at Republic (East Farmingdale).  Also, for information, I recall some of the older farmers referring to that “siding” as serving farmers in the area, calling the Central Branch with which the Main Line connected at Bethpage as the “Manure Line”.

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West

Very interesting to see another car that Mort Roberts drove in addition to the Tahis Special at Elgin in 1914.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

It look’s like the Rocky Hll Rd. (Springfield Blvd.) end of the LIMP before the extension to Peck Ave in Fresh Meadows. I grew up in Fresh Meadows on the other side of Horace Harding Blvd and spent my childhood on the “Vanderbilt Parkway.” From what I remember, the 73rd Ave. bridge has 1926 on the cornerstone. So I’d have to say that the last year this pristine photo without the extension could have been taken would have been about 1924.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

The “stretch” that started it all for me as a lttile boy growing up in nearby Floral Park. This “speedway” hosted the bikes on my and my buddies and ignited a lifelong love of bikes, cars, motorsport and Long Island’s history. So pleased that NYC had the sense to keep some of this heritage alive

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

Good Stuff Howard,  Anyway it probably is Powell Avenue / Nibbe bridge, but the 2 bridges at the Melville Sandpits and Bethpage are right next to each other and rather close. Plus the writing on the Bridge Abutments is what made me think that.
On a different note the Garden City Curve is now impassable, looks like Hurricane Sandy dropped a tree across it and power lines are on the ground. You can walk west of Raymond Ct. but you wont get to Clinton road. Mike

From Mystery Foto #9 Possibly Solved: Powell Avenue Bridge and Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Bethpage?

I found this aerial photo within this website. It’s titled as 1924 Oakland Gardens Queens . The info attached to the aerial stated that by 1912,  the western terminus of the LIMP was Rocky Hill Rd ( Springfield Blvd ).  The main road to the east is Winchester Blvd.  I can also see the Wheeler Farmway Br, and Alley Pond Br.  If it wasn’t for Mr Berliner’ss or Mr Kroplick’s websites,  I would have a hard time figuring out the mystery photos.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

I’m sure you heard or read the news that the Levittown Project was approved, See you tomorrow,it’s going to be a great day. I hope the Black Beast is ready to roar.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

From Racer Roy

I wanted to thank you for preserving the memory of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. I have been a race fan since 1945 and loved every minute of it. I marvel at your knowledge, perseverance, and sophistication in covering the participants, routes, and significant events of that era. Well done! I congratulate you, Howard!

All the best from Racer Roy

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

You did it again Howard,keeping me busy on here for hours at a time,can’t get away from it,keeping you busy too reading my comments.Looks good for the weekend weather is going to be nice,looking foward to it, Gotta go know,something on TV I want to watch.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

Great, great day! 
Since I was coincidently in that area today, I went by, and it mysteriously seems that black couch we labored on moving out, has already found it’s way back onto the LIMP! Thankfully though, it also seems the culprits did not damage the ‘highly secure’ fence we repaired.

I also love the idea of an ‘archeological dig’ before they start in Levittown, but sadly, I seriously doubt that would ever be allowed.

From The Amazing North Hempstead Clean-Up Day of the Motor Parkway in East Williston

More great stuff Howard - as usual. You photos are always so amazing. I am sharing on Facebook.

From Profile: Frank Lee, Mechanician for the Alco Black Beast

Thanks for the pics and story which was very interesting. That Beast was a very unique and still is

From Profile: Frank Lee, Mechanician for the Alco Black Beast

Very nice vid! This is gettin’ good.

From Video: Model A Fords on the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge

Again great pictures,but better, showing more of the after clean-up

From The Amazing North Hempstead Clean-Up Day of the Motor Parkway in East Williston

Wow!! How observing you all are. I know of all these areas,but would never have found what you people did. This is all around the Newsday Building and the Post Office,right? that where I used to work,as I mentioned in an earlier comment. Everything I’m learning from you guys I never knew about until know and want to help you all preserve as much as we can

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West

This was my first cleanup project and I really enjoyed it. Good progress was made but this site will need more work in the future. I’m looking forward to joining you again for the next cleanup…hopefully Dead Man’s Curve. I’m disappointed to hear from Chris here that the historic site in Levittown will be developed. Hopefully the developer will allow us to do a dig for artifacts before construction begins. That was your idea Howard and I think it’s a good one! Who knows what we may find in the racetrack pit area.

From The Amazing North Hempstead Clean-Up Day of the Motor Parkway in East Williston

We are looking West at the Wyandanch Rail Road station in the lower front and center. The Motor Parkway section by the curve is the portion that is in between Colonial Springs Rd and the National Cemetery. You can see where the Babylon Lodge would have been, and bridges in the area should be at; Colonial Springs Rd, Little East Neck Rd, Pinelawn Rd, Ruland Rd, Baker farmway bridge (Maxess Road) and finally the Huntington Lodge if you zoom in…

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West

Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch looking west. Future sites of Pinelawn/LI National Cemeteries and USDAN in the center, many LIMP structures visible here, this aerial is fortified with all the essential vitamins and iron. East to west Colonial Springs Rd pkwy bridge/Little East Neck Rd pkwy bridge/Pinelawn Rd pkwy bridge/Ruland Rd pkwy bridge/Baker-Maxess Rd farmway bridge/Broadhollow Rd pkwy bridge. Clody-Sandpits farmwy bridge is off the photo at top. Republic Airport is off the photo to the left. Can’t see the Huntington lodge, being elusive again. Is it possible the Huntington lodge was replaced with a kiosk to make room for U-turners using the round trip tickets? Is that Edith’s farmhouse at the very top, off center left, just south of Ruland Rd?

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West