Vanderbilt Cup Races

I would like to see the section of the Motor Parkway between Clinton Road and Post Avenue in Westbury and the toll taker. Do you have any information on what happened to him?  He lived in a house near by the Post Ave. Bridge. His name was McKemish.

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

Many thanks to you, Howard, for taking the time and making the effort to locate and beautifully categorize this information.

From Willie K's Guest Lodge in Lake Success

Hi Tim:

Here’s a link to information on Willie K’s guest lodge: http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_october_28_2009_willie_ks_guest_lodge_in_lake_success

Enjoy,

Howard

From The Motor Parkway Bridges over the Northern State Parkway

Great pic.  I lived a couple of blocks from what I believe is that bridge. I was born in 1952 and I would see the above bridge standing alone in a green field.  This grass area was next to p.s. 179 and the woods at approx 199st and 67th ave.

It drove me crazy looking at this bridge on grassland wondering what was there before it.  Wow.  Mystery kinda sort solved.

Steve

From A Rare Photo of the North Hempstead Turnpike LIMP Bridge

thanks,,,,great pictures of roslyn, and the X mercedes car, would like to see more.

From The "X" Mercedes Comes to Roslyn for the 1905 Race

Garden City has always been a particpant in the preservation of the Long Island Motor Pkwy. Not only did part of the Pkwy run through G.C.  but they moved and restored one of the toll houses which is now used by their Chamber of Commerce.I played, road my bike,on several miles of the pkwy that ran through the village as a child. I particlarly remember going down the embankment on Clinton Rd,where there had once been a bridge crossing Clinton Rd, going toward the toll house.Stewart School is on the corner of Stewart AVE. and Clinton Rd. about 1/4 mile from where the toll house originally was located.

From Garden City News "Stewart School Quest Students Capture Archive Award"

Hi Joe and Tim:

Thanks again for the feedback!

Joe, unfortunately, I have never seen a close up of the Old Searingtown Road Bridge. Maybe a LIMPer out there can send in a photo.

Tim, I believe you are correct that this building was originally part of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr’s Deepdale Estate. I have a closer look of the building in another aerial and believe the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum have some ground-level photos.

I will further address these two areas with photos in future posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com .

Enjoy,

Howard

From The Motor Parkway Bridges over the Northern State Parkway

Great website Howard.
I had worked out of the State Parkway Police barracks on Northern State Parkway in the late 1950’s, which was located on the north side of the Parkway just west of Lakeville Road and the Motor Parkway bridge, and just east of the city line.  I have never seen, or been able to locate a photo of this barracks, but it was a beautiful stone structure and I was told it was originally a hunting lodge as part of William Vanderbilt’s Deepdale estate.  In the 1950 aerial photo you posted, the barracks is located in a horseshoe shaped paved area directly south of Lake Success and Vanderbilt’s mansion, and directly north of the golf course pictured on the south side of the Parkway. The 1956 aerial looking west also shows where the old police barracks was situated.

From The Motor Parkway Bridges over the Northern State Parkway

Howard, as always, I love your website.  Do you have any aerial photos and or pictures of the LIMP bridge at Old Searingtown Road, formerly Manhasset Avenue.  I have never seen a picture of the bridge at Old Searingtown Road.

Your fan,
Joe O.

From The Motor Parkway Bridges over the Northern State Parkway

Thanks for the positive vibes!!! I hope to be able to show and ride the Alco throughout Long Island. The Greak Neck Plaza was great fun!!!

Howard

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

Thanks again for all the comments on the Long Island Automotive Museum.

I spoke to a representative of the Clark family today. Due to legal and insurance concerns, they do not wish to disturb the property at this time.

If the situation changes, I will let people know.

Howard

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

As a native Long Islander I’m saddened to know this museum’s demise is apparent.

Dave Loder
Reno, Nevada

R.I.P to the glory of our automotive history’s great era on Long Island.

From Film "The Long Island Automotive Museum"

This is super footage!  Love racing, but didn’t know much about these races. My congratulations to you on such a great job with the film!

BJ of Indiana

From Film "The Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1937)"

Henry Austin Clark saved many early automobiles that were left in carriage houses,barns etc. in Long Island and elsewhere in New York.  It would take a lot of $$$ and time, but I would like to see this museum preserved in memory of this pioneer car collector

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi Mitch, The Hagstrom you are refering to shows the street layout as planned by New York City. When the Glen Oaks Garden Apartment complex was built the developer rearranged the street layout. The Hagstroms published after Glen Oaks Village was built (1950’s) show the roadways as actually constructed and fortunately for Parkway buffs when 74th Av,. ends at tne Nassau County line it shows the Parkway right of way into Naassau County in alignment with 74th Av. Hope this clears the matter for you. Al Velocci

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

Fascinating details! Thanks Al and Howard. Al, one question. I’ve always assumed that 74th Avenue was the “bed of the Motor Parkway” but how do you account for the fact that on the Hagstrom map clip provided by Howard, 74th Avenue seems to run one block north of the Parkway? It seems like it should be “75th Avenue”...in between 74th and 76th Avenues. Was the map wrong, or were the streets changed…or something else?

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

Hi Michael:

I will send you a copy. Your Breese racer looks fantastic!

Howard

From Film "The Last Race for Old 16 and Joe Tracy?" (1946)

Thanks for the great response and excellent suggestions. Clearly, the first step is to locate the current owner of the property and determine if they want the area cleaned up. I have left a message for Austin Clark’s son and will report back when we make contact.

Enjoy,

Howard

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Howard, Regarding the dialogue between yourself, Sam & Joe. There was no Hewlett Av. bridge as there was no Hewlett Av. in 1911 when the bridge was built. The bridge was located west of Hewlett Av. and took the Parkway over property that Vanderbilt owned on both sides of the Parkway right of way. The bridge was located on property eventually acguired by Long Island Jewish Hospital. The bridge survived into the 1970’s. It was demolished at that time when an employee parking lot was built on the Parkway right of way. A huge hole was dug adjecent to the bridge and was tumbled into the hole almost intact. The entire area was leveled off and all traces of the Parkway disappeared. A good view of the area can been seen by taking 74th Av. (which is in the bed of the Motor Parkway), to it’s eastern terminus to the gates of the employee parking lot. The Parkway right of way is right in front of you. Al Velocci.

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

I suggest you find out if the owner wants it cleaned up.  And if he does, does he want amateur help doing it.
Are you talking about the grounds or the buildings too?
Lots of questions to be answered.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum