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The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Another photo of R.C. Watson Jr. taken by Willie K. himself in Oct., 1903. From the Vanderbilt Museum Collection.
From Mystery Foto #35 Solved: Robert C. Watson, Jr. was Willie K's mechanician at the 1904 Ormond Daytona Tournament
Thanks Dave, yes additional research is necessary on Aiken, SC and Jekyl Island, GA. Will report back! And possibly new blog material!
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina
Good stuff as always Art,
Aiken SC. This needs to be investigated. Seems like everyone in Old Westbury would go there in the winter. Thoroughbred and polo zones….these were the spots. You have to make your way down to Aiken one day and check this out, find the houses where Hitchcock, Whitney and Bostwick lived. Probably some cool stuff to see there.
And of all the places…how did they choose that location? Apparently the “grounds” there are perfect for horses, whatever that means. Jekyl Island, GA is another spot to investigate one day. I can’t wait till I have free time one day!
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina
Here are 2 pages from Willie Ks detailed logs of his yachting trips down the east coast indicating stops in Wilmington, NC. The first is from April, 1908 and seems to indicate the “Tarantula’s” journey started in Wilmington. On board were friends R.C. Watson (see mystery photo #35, Aug. 30, 2021) and Sydney J. Smith.
The second is the “Eagle’s” journey starting in November, 1920.
Both are from the Vanderbilt Museum Collections.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina
Over Old Court House Road, Manhasset Hills!
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
The photo shows the LIMP bridge being built over Jerusalem Road (today’s Stewart Avenue) in Bethpage. The view is looking south because of the LIRR crossing sign just beyond the bridge. The date is approximately August 20, 1908. The LIMP groundbreaking ceremony took place very close to this site a little over two months prior on June 6, 1908.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
Nice Howard! Vintage racing in store?
From The 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III is racing to Roslyn in April
Well I’m stumped again. The diamond shape “RAILROAD CROSSING LOOK OUT FOR THE CARS” sign puts us looking south near the Steward Line, or between (Old) Westbury Road and Broadway Road in Bethpage. There is a culvert or small bridge so I presume there is a stream there to the right/west. That should nail down this exact location, but the only source I could use for that is Wayne Consolla’s Google Map, which seems to have gone away. Such a shame, it was great work.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
https://thefriedegg.com/sunday-brunch-shinnecock-hills-clubhouse-history/
Interesting back story as well.
From Greg O’s Garage: HBO’s The Gilded Age, Long Island, The Vanderbilts and Stanford White Part 3
He designed the Clubhouse at Shinnecock Hills.
From Greg O’s Garage: HBO’s The Gilded Age, Long Island, The Vanderbilts and Stanford White Part 3
after some research that probably should have been done BEFORE I answered, I’ve discovered the date is August 20, 1908
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
must be 1908. after the grounbreaking in june but before the opening of the parkway
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
The Jerusalem rd(stewart Ave) in bethpage looking south on stewart through the bridge. You can see the central railroad sign also. The groundbreaking took place on the right in the field next to the parkway. (Present day Albergo Court and motor lane)
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Ave.) Motor Parkway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) looking south. Railroad track and large tree were south of the parkway.
August, 1908.
The Motor Parkway groundbreaking ceremony was held nearby on the west side of the location.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
Stewart Ave (now)
Jerusalem Ave (1908)
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
This is the construction of the LIMP bridge over Jerusalem rd (Stewart ave) in Bethpage. The photographer is facing south and the LIRR crossing sign is visible on the south side of the bridge. This picture was taken August 20, 1908. To the right, on the west side of this picture was where the LIMP groundbreaking ceremony to place.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) Motor Parkway Bridge under construction
Anticipating great photos from this exciting project. WARNING: More mystery photos up ahead! Kudos indeed to all involved. Looking forward to view the collection here. Much thanks Howard!
From Treasures from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s historic photos are being posted online
Thanks Frank. I used to think the water source was from the south shore, but it’s the other way around. The 1947 topo map uncropped show streams north of Old Country Rd. So ground water is fed from north to the south shore.
Great postcard Gary! I can see there used to be 2 culverts on the north side for water flow below the railroad tracks that ran through the park. Today’s Veterans Memorial would be just east of the reservoir, and the roadway on the north side follows the RR ROW. Know I read somewhere the reservoir is man made, probably to contain the streams. And there’s the other large pond nearby the Meadowbrook Pkwy.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A view of a Merrick Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives
The entire project is well deserved as many of these photos need to be reviewed. Having so many historical societies working together is great. The technology is here. Just like the early automobiles.
From Treasures from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s historic photos are being posted online
It looks right at home!
From The 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III is racing to Roslyn in April
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