Vanderbilt Cup Races

The 1941 or 1942 shot above of the Military Police Honor Guard was taken on the side of the Operations Building facing the flight line (towards Uniondale).  It’s hard to make out, but on the bottom level there was a catering facility which provided food and drink for planes in transit.

Just a brief portion of the vestibule on top of the building can be seen and was where Air Traffic Control originally was located before the much taller tower at the west end of the Base was constructed in the early’ 50’s. 

NCC eventually used the Ops building as the original location of the Library (today it is the College Union).  The vestibule was removed in 1966 to facilitate repairs to the leaking roof (books and water just don’t mix well).  The vestibule had not been used in 15 years by then.  As a child, I remember checking out children’s books that were actually intended for students interested in becoming children’s authors.

When my father arrived at NCC in 1965, the school had not yet been accredited.  Part of the reason given was the library facilities were deemed to be insufficient.  One of his first acts was authorizing the construction of the pre-fabricated building immediately behind the brick build (still there today) which dramatically enlarged the library.  The school was granted accreditation soon afterwards.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Mark Lanese, the Main entrance to Mitchel Field was at the intersection of Selfridge Avenue and Stewart Avenue.  Prior to the Base Reconfiguration between 1927-1932, the entrance was located several yards to the east of that location.  That roadway ran straight through where the Quadrangle / Parade Grounds would be laid out and terminated at the flight line.  There was also an entrance to the west of the property, joining up with Commercial Avenue. 

The golf course to the West of Merrick Avenue was the Cold Spring Golf Club, sandwiched in between Merrick Ave. and the Santini Area to the South of Hempstead Turnpike.  Cold Spring Creek (aka, Meadow Brook Creek) ran through the course.  Immediately to the north of Hempstead Turnpike was the Meadow Brook Golf Club which hugged the perimeter of the Base.  And across the street from it, on the eastern side of Merrick Avenue were the four courses of the Salisbury Links (three of which still exist today in Eisenhower Park as the red, white and blue courses).

All the golf courses were independently operated, though Nassau County acquired the Salisbury Links when the club could not meet their tax obligations during the Depression.  Many of the officers at Mitchel were members of any of the clubs.

The vintage LIRR cars seen parked on the edge of the Base in 2002 have long been removed and are likely in museums now, perhaps in Riverhead or the planned RR museum in Oyster Bay.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Interesting read of the efforts to agree that the Parkway will benefit all. I believe it would’ve served more practical if the tolls were reduced or even eliminated altogether, for automobilists from every walk of life to enjoy. But with the steady increase in automobile sales from 1908, Motor Parkway would’ve quickly become inundated with floods of traffic, periodically needing expansion (present day LIE). Ironic how the Petit Trianon started with a fire, and later ended with a fire. Great stuff Art!

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 1 (Motor Parkway 1906 - 1910)

Amazing history and photos here of Mitchel Airfield that I was unaware of. They closed down the airfield one year before I was born. Thank you Lee, and Wayne for sharing the details! Remnants of Camp Mills Base Hospital can be seen on the west of Mitchel in the 1933 photo. Good luck Paul!

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Art.
I very much enjoyed reading all of these stories and letters from long ago.
Thank you.

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 1 (Motor Parkway 1906 - 1910)

Lee. Thank you for sharing all of these pictures. Do you know where the location of the main entrance into Mitchell Field was? I have never heard mention of a golf course on the west side of Merrick Ave. Was that part of Mitchell Field? Do any of those LIRR cars remain on site.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

the camera is facing east over Hillside ave in East Williston
Hillside ave is the dark road directly below Jericho Tpke is to the right running parallel
the Northern state and Glen cove rd are running north and south with the Northern State turning east. Wheatly Hills golf course and country club are on the left and North side elementry school is on the right. the Motor Pkwy right of way is the gap between the two housing projects on the right and the straight road running through it and there might be a toll house at Jericho tpke

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Location: East Williston. The photographer is looking east.

Major roads: Hillside Avenue (splits the photo vertically), Jericho Turnpike (upper right), Glen Cove Road (towards the top), Northern State Parkway (curved road).

Golf course: Wheatley Hills.

Large building: North Side School.

LIMP ROW: Crosses Hillside at right angles to it. Left (north) of Hillside, in the golf course; right (south) of Hillside, between the two housing developments (Shortridge Drive and Charles Street, according to Google Maps). Is that a toll lodge just south of Hillside?

VCR connection: Jericho Turnpike was part of the course of several races.

Date: Looks like the same as Foto #5, which was taken Sept. 18, 1950. No Meadowbrook Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

We are looking east over East Williston toward Westbury. The main road in the center is E. Williston Avenue (Hillside Avenue). Other roads include Northern State Parkway, Glen Cove Road, and Jericho Turnpike. The Wheatley Hills Golf Club can be seen towards the upper left. The building in the center is the North Side School, part of the East Williston School District. The LIMP R-O-W runs left to right through the golf course with the bridge under Jericho Turnpike visible near the right edge of the photo. This section of Jericho Turnpike was part of the course for the 1904, 1905, and 1906 V. C. Races. The date should be around 1953 since that was the year two new wings were added to the school which sustained severe fire damage shortly thereafter. It took almost two years to rebuild from the fire and by that time some evidence of the Meadowbrook Parkway would have been visible which there is not.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

-The location and orientation of the photographer

Facing due East over Williston Park

-The major roads

Objectors bend section of the Northern State Parkway, Hillside Ave, Glen Cove Rd.

-The golf course

Wheatley Hills Golf Club

-The large building in the middle of the photo

North Side Elementary School originally built in 1917.

-The Long Island Motor Parkway right-of-way and a Motor Parkway structure

The LIMP ROW was horizontal in the photo between the school and the NSP. The only structure I can make out is the Jericho Tpke overpass over the LIMP at the very right edge of the photo.

-Link the Mystery Foto to the Vanderbilt Cup Races

The 1904-1908 race courses ran on Jericho in this area.

-What is the estimated date of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.

My guess here would be around 1950. Meadowbrook Pkwy not yet built. Also, North side school had wings built on the building in 1953.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Lookin east, East Williston Ave.(Hillside Ave) with Northside School in center of photo.
Corner of Glen Cove Road and Jericho Tpke . southeast at Northern State overpass.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Another great article! Where did Austin Clark stay or live in the Hamptons?

From 1960 Photos from the Long Island Automotive Museum in Southampton

Cool story what type of parachute did he use…I used to skydive! And what state was his false drivers license from? Like SCCA, isn’t there a drivers school that NASCAR drivers must attend?

From Video of the Week: The D.B. Cooper of NASCAR

A fabulous job that covers the history of what was an important air base. I recall a field trip there in the late 50s with the Boy Scouts. I don’t remember much but a do remember having lunch in the mess hall. It was Salisbury Steak covered with an unidentified red source. To this day I will not eat Salisbury Steak! Fast forward to 1968-70 as a student of NCC where we had gym in a converted hanger. There were still signs on the walls warning of spinning propellers. We parked on one of the old runways. Some classes were in wooden barracks. There were still places for coal storage. Man those buildings were cold in the winter.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Thanks for the memories (no I’m not Bob Hope). I remember visiting the Museum in Southampton a few times and enjoyed every minute of it. I was always interested in history and old cars were a part of that. What a shame the museum is gone. Wish we had something like that again. Maybe a museum on L.I. of historic cars could get the younger generation interested in the hobby.

From 1960 Photos from the Long Island Automotive Museum in Southampton

The other Vanderbilt property is called Croton on the Hudson, it is located in Hyde Park, NY. Similarities between the two properties are incredible.

From Was the "Bagatelle" Mansion in Half Hollow Hills Built by a Vanderbilt?

Hello,  I have a unique perspective on the mansion, as I am currently employed by the company who operates a school for girls there. I do believe that it was once a Vanderbilt property . The similarities in the two properties are way beyond coincidence, the architectural style, moldings, millwork and original lighting and early electrical I have seen in the Bagatelle mansion are a sure give away that at least the same builders were responsible for both. As my job as a maintenance technician brings me in to this part of the campus quite often, I am constantly reminded of the amazing history of this place. For example in the great room on the main floor there is a magnificent limestone fireplace that depicts the virgin Mary and baby jesus. This limestone fireplace was brought here specifically by the Medici family of Florence , Italy and donated to the Baruch family. It is amazing how much history here . I wish that somehow it would be possible to refurbish this magnificent structure and use it to benefit the residents of the program, Perhaps a Culinary school teaching a life changing skill to its population and simultaneously serving the needs of the community. So anyone looking for a truly divine cause or if you have any thoughts on this I’m quite sure it would be something the girls deserve, miracles have happened here before.

From Was the "Bagatelle" Mansion in Half Hollow Hills Built by a Vanderbilt?

Did Austie Clark also own that yellow Ferrari? It looks like one my Dad, Walt Luftman, owned around that time. If I recall correctly it was a 275 or a 330 GTC. My Dad used to race at Bridgehampton and knew Austie.

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

Yes Lee, excellent research thanks to you. Your dad has been blessed with longevity.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Thank you Lee for sharing your photos.  And good luck Paul on the new book!

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)