Vanderbilt Cup Races

I’m taking a second guess at this. I came across some 1955 paintings by Harvey Kidder. One of the potraits is identical to the bridge overpass first seen in the above photo. So my guess is the first bridge ....NO PARKING WEST OF HUNTINGTON LODGE , is Ruland Rd over the LIMP, then the next overpass west is Farmway/Pedestrian bridge crossing the LIMP. You came up with a good one, Frank.

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

The Melville sand pits bridge now being used as the hopper support? Same wording, but the lettering is a little different. It may have been re-painted at some point?

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

Howard: Thanks for your presentation this past Thursday.  I was quite impressed, and living in the New Hyde Park Area for many years I can remember riding my bike on the parkway, watching the phesents, and fishing in the ponds along it.  I took photos of the bridge on Meadow Farm road.  It’s the best bridge in Nassau.  Again great job.  Thanks Artie Finnegan Membership Director GNYR

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

What a nice tribute the article is to the LIMP. In this day and age, most drivers would,nt appreciate the parkways curves and turns. Oh my gosh, they would just have to slow down. Judging from the distance of the closeup bridge and the bridge in the near distance, I think the bridge with the NO PARKING. WEST. OF. HUNTINGTON. LODGE is Pinelawn Rd,  and the next. bridge. west. is. Ruland Rd.  The. bridges that are circled, but not named on the 1955 photo are the farmwaybridge e/o Maxess Rd, and the bridge over East Neck Rd.

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

This site should be saved!

From Josato Inc proposing to build 4 single family homes on former Levittown site of the Motor Parkway

From Althea Travis:
“Howard -
...The Greater New York Region of the Antique Automobile Club was honored to host you.  Our members were enthused about the history that you shared and want to learn more about the very first parkway, especially since it is right in their own backyard.  We hope that our meeting this week will be the start of an ongoing relationship with the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society.

We would like to host you again next year and get an update on what is new in the preservation effort and learn how we can help.
Thank you for all that you are doing on behalf of Long Islanders now and those who will inherit Long Island from us in the future.

Althea Travis
On behalf of GNYR

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

I worked at the Post Office at 110 and Duryea Rd. from when it first opened till up to 5 years ago,when I retired,so I know the area

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

I have a feeling it is the bridge that holds up the cement mixer in Melville east of Broad hollow Road because it has the same messages on the abuttments. “Please be careful” on the left and “Dont Pass cars” on the right. Mike L

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

From Stuart L:

Howard Kroplick gave a GREAT lecture about the history of the Vanderbilt Races on Long Island.

  A few tidbits of info from me…of all the automobiles in those races only three are still in business and sold in the USA….Mercedes, Buick and FIAT….Darracqs were entered in some of those races….in 1910 a group of Milanese businessmen purchased the company and renamed it Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA)..in 1918 Nicola Romeo purchased the company and it was renamed Alfa Romeo. In 1986 Alfa Romeo was purchased by FIAT from the Italian government. FIAT now owns Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia (Lamborghini is owned by Audi).

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

From Lanny W.
“Thank you again for a most enjoyable presentation on the History of the Long Island Motor Parkway. I think people learned a lot and have some new places to explore right in their own backyard.”

From Special Upcoming Presentation: “Exploring, Biking and Hiking Along the Historic Motor Parkway"

Excellent interview Howard, I couldn’t have done it any better.

From Award-Winning Video: Howard Kroplick Q &A “The Long Island Motor Parkway”

Great presentation last nite. I will hike and explore Trail #3 and Trail#4.I’m 5 minutes away,now the I know what to look for,it will be more interesting. I hope you can make use of that article I gave you to look at.

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

I would have loved to hear this presentation!  Perhaps you’ll mention some of these opportunities at the Greater New York AACA meeting on Thursday night.  Are we still on your schedule for an 8 pm meeting?  Ellyn Okvist will follow you and speak for a few minutes about plans for a future group ride.

From Special Upcoming Presentation: “Exploring, Biking and Hiking Along the Historic Motor Parkway"

From Andy W:

“Thanks so much for the pics of the Vanderbilt estate.  I grew up in Sands Point and remember the house well.  The “now” pictures actually look pretty much the same as the house looked in the 50’s and 60’s.”

From Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers in Sands Point

Levittown, looking east.  LIMP at Left.

From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: Levittown/Bethpage on May 27, 1947

Hi - just about in my backyard!  Location is looking east through Levittown, Island Trees and Bethpage.  The Motor Parkway enters on the left crosses the Wantagh Parkway extension and Newbridge Road, then veers north to the Grandstand area (the straightaway) and then back a little south and east heading to Dead Man’s Curve (can’t pick that out however).  Hempstead Turnpike is on the right side of the photo. 

The photo has to be between 1938 and 1947 as that was the period the Wantagh Parkway extension to the Northern State Parkway was built (so probably closer to 1947 as the extension looks pretty much complete).  Also, no Levitt homes are seen which would have been noticed following 1947.  Also the Aviation Country Club, on the north side of the Parkway which i think is the group of buildings in the center of the straightaway was closed in 1948. 

Vanderbilt Cup Races were used this section in 1908, 1909 and 1910.

Either 5 or 6 Motor Parkway bridges: There was the 1) Westbury Ave. bridge but I don’t believe that’s on the photo (would have been to the left of the Wantagh Parkway).  Then there would be the 2) Newbridge Road bridge, 3) Jerusalem Ave. bridge (just east of the Aviation Country Club) , the 4) Blooomington Rd. farmway bridge, the 5) Wantagh Avenue bridge , and with good eyes or a magnifying glass, 6) the Massapequa/Hicksville Road Bridge.  I’m counting the Wantagh Parkway bridge that I imagine went over the Motor Parkway/Westbury Road. 

As mentioned the LI Aviation Country Club is on the north side of the Motor Parkway and also Grumman Airport is to the east and north.

From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: Levittown/Bethpage on May 27, 1947

Howard, thanks for adding all the times

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

Ted, times have been added.

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations

This whole area was a favorite stomping ground for me and my bicycle buddies back in the very late 50s and early 60s. The property was in constant flux then and we were able to bike right through the changing estate sites in construction and end up on the small beachfront just slightly southwest of the main property. As kids we always thought the gatehouse WAS the estate!

From Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers in Sands Point

Howard Can you let me know what time on Tuesday? it doesn’t tell you,Thanks

From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations