Vanderbilt Cup Races

Here goes nothing!  I’d guess it’s Springfield Blvd., looking west, where the on-off ramps are still extant.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

I vas dere, too, Cholly (but can’t find myself in these pix)!  Three comments.  Amongst the fab. cars in the parking lot was a big 1931 Chrysler Imperial 8 CG sedan formerly from Garden City, across the southern Mott section, only a few blocks west of the LIMP.  There never was a Model 680 S Mercedes; it was a Typ S (also Modell S) of 6.8 litre displacement.  There seem to be holes cut through the bonnets of both Bugs!  Henry Petronis was a V.P. of Pall Corp. in Glen Cove where I worked then and his entire collection was later driven piecemeal from LI to Florida by shop employees (thus not I, dagnabbit it)!  Sam, III

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

I might be wrong, but it looks familiar to me. If it’s the Springfield Blvd (formerly Rocky Hill Rd) bridge, then I rode on it hundreds of times as a kid growing up in Fresh Meadows and taking the “Motor Parkway” from Peck Avenue to the end (Creedmor).  Orientation is looking westbound. The photographer is standing just east of the entrance (photographer’s left) and exit (photographer’s right).

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

I was at that auction, yes the Tunick’s were brothers. One a lawyer and one a judge, tried to confuse the auctioneer by talking loudly so that they could buy the cars for less $ and put off other bidders. The field behind the garages was were people attended parked and it was loaded with classic pre war cars, driven ther from all over ( including N.J.) by collectors. I have some photos of those - didn’t take any of the auction cars in the garages as it was to dark and to many people in the way. There were a pair of mint low low miles original 1938 Buick sedans there on offer as well, looked brand new. The Duesenberg Beverly sedan that was there is currently owned by a collector from Va. and N.H.
Austin Clark did not live very far away and arrived in his 1927 (?) Rolls Royce Phantom I landaulet with friends along for the auction . The type 35 Bugatti race car he bought was used at Roosevelt Raceway in the late 1930s just before Wallace Birds death in the Vanderbilt Cup races there. Austin never got it running and it resided in one of his buildings out at the auto museum. I have period photos of Wallace and Winefred Bird that were rescued from the debris of their mansion after the car auction . They had a magnificent wood yacht named the Wal-Win.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Springfield Ave entrance looking west.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Bravo Howard, job well done.
Here’s to Good health and success on your next chapter in life.

From Newsday: Ready for HIS STORY

I believe we are looking west in Queens in the vicinity of Alley Pond Park and approaching the bridge over Springfield Blvd. (Rocky Hill Road).

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Rocky Hill Road, Queens
Looking west
Springfield Blvd. Motor Parkway Bridge

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Springfield Blvd looking west from the entrance and exit toward Springfield Blvd. Took a walk there a few years ago it seems the same.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Toll Gatekeeper Sidney Jones’ view from inside the Rocky Hill Road booth/gate, awaiting motorists to approach him to access the Motor Parkway behind him. Not many motorists would approach but those who did would come from the nearby left ramp, an access ramp from Rocky Hill Road (Springfield Blvd today), or from further away down the straight roadway, from Nassau Blvd (Horace Harding Blvd, LIE). Adequate housing/garage was accommodated for Jones nearby the toll booth. We’re looking west down the Motor Parkway in Queens County. This was the Motor Pkwy western terminus in 1924, before the bridge (shown) was constructed. Hey, pedestrians not allowed on the parkway! Great photo Al, thank you!!

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

This is the approach to the Springfield Blvd. bridge,looking westward. The photographer is standing in the approximate location of the former toll booth and you can see the entrance and exit ramps on either side of the parkway. This was the western terminus for a period of time (Rocky Hill).

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Springfield Blvd bridge.  Looking west.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Springfield Blvd entrance looking west.?

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

A map of the Port Washington Seaplane Terminal was added to the post.

From Update: Beutenmuller Family Collection #1: Searching for the Port Washington Seaplane Terminals

A softball!

The entrance/exit ramps for the Rocky Hill Road lodge looking west. The Rocky Hill/Springfield Blvd bridge in the distance.
Below was the same location when Dee and I walked the Queens section in April.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

David’s 1949 topo map (below) reveals the original bridge already removed (1944+), and shows space for a future straight bridge (just to the north) that will eventually be installed over Bell Blvd, to continue the bike path. It’s possible the bikeway in this construction site, was closed for up to 6 years to complete the modifications. I don’t believe the construction took that long, not in NYC. Any input is welcomed here.

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: A 1938 View of the Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path Looking West from Bell Boulevard

I see it now, Frank. My B image is viewing TO THE NORTH. There’s also the tree right next to the east abutment in the A image. The tree is on the opposite side of the bridge in B image. Now I need to flip my brain around : )

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: A 1938 View of the Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path Looking West from Bell Boulevard

Wow!! Super job cleaning up this photo-of-the-year. Approaching the Motor Parkway entrance with all signs in plain sight. NOW the parkway entrance is clearly visible!

One problem with the contract though. If the sign was installed 500 feet west of the MP entrance, it could not be located 800 feet east of North Hempstead Tpke (Booth Memorial Ave) as stated, more like 1500+ feet east of NHT. I wonder how that issue was corrected/resolved?

Lots of changes soon to come in this Pre WWII photo. With the world soon entering the war, Motor Parkway’s closure in four years, Nassau Blvd to transform into Horace Harding Blvd in preparation for the 1939-40 World’s Fair, the “Wizard of Oz” in color in five years. 

Mitch - The structure resembles a service station with three bay doors, the center door being blocked by a tanker truck. A great location to fuel up before heading out to Ronkonkoma. I guess it was tucked in that far off the roadway as to not encroach in the city’s 160’ RoW

Spectacular photo Howard!

From The Motor Parkway Billboard on Horace Harding Boulevard in 1934

Brian, in photo B above the CRR bridge was missing some railings and hazardous to cross by bike.

In David’s 1949 topo the CRR is indicated in pencil as “deeded”.

I’m guessing the plan to clean up this area and to construct the new overpass over Bell Blvd included the City’s purchase of this CRR segment, and wasn’t completed until the early ‘50s. Any thoughts folks?

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: A 1938 View of the Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path Looking West from Bell Boulevard

Top photo - CRR looking south from LIMP, 31Oct1928

Mid photo - CRR looking south at 75 Av’s stone wall barrier, 31Oct1928

Bottom photo - CRR looking north from Hollis Ct Blvd, 31Oct1928

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: A 1938 View of the Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path Looking West from Bell Boulevard