Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks for noting the fact of the collapsed original building, Al - more photos can be found here: 
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_foto_friday_20_can_you_identify_thsi_vanderbilt_cup_race_car

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Howard, Not generally known is that this building was not the original clubhouse/garage. On Sept. 6, 1906 the original structure nearing completion, constructed of concrete, collapsed, killing three workman.  Graves ordered the demolition of the collapsed structure and had it rebuilt this time with a brick exterior.        Though heavily involved with the Vanderbilt Cup Races, he did not purchase any stock or bonds of the Long Island Motor Parkway.                                  But,.... he was present at the Parkway’s grand breaking ceremonies, inviting all the notables present to a luncheon at his just completed clubhouse/garage at Mineola Unable to discover why he selected this location.

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

The following photo is the only remaining residence on Searing Avenue - it was built in 1910 and is opposite the current apartment building where the Graves Garage once stood, two lots off of the railroad tracks.  The home was recently purchased for $850,000 by the developer that purchased the adjoining lot (adjacent to the tracks) which up until recently had a house on it but was demolished.  I’m assuming the last home shown in the photo will also be demolished to make way for a new home or office building.

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Yes Dave, I ditto that on this end as well. Best bet is to spend as much time as possible with kids, that will best guide them towards their future. I have three, one successful, and two struggling through this pandemic. They’ll make it. I’m here to see through it. Stick with them like glue, but don’t show as so

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

I’m always learning new stuff here Howard, Thank you for continued historic content!

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Frank—-equally as shocking as seeing old LIMP pictures is seeing your son/kid change from a tiny little dude in 2016 who loves hanging w his dad to a normal crazy teenager in 2020 who makes no sense! We were all there. It’s no surprise.

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

Mystery Foto #31… Only a guess.but could it be Peter Helck’s home?

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Jerry Rokoff:

Site of greenhouses Vanderbilt mansion.  Wild guess.

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Dave - WOW 2016! Time continues to slip away, with no sign of slowing. You and Sam exploring the area that day was the same day Brian and I were there. You guys arrived earlier and we missed each other.

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

I STILL would like to know if Dodge, itself, ever used “Suburban” as a tradename back then?  Sam, III

From From the Hugh Nutting Collection: Insight into the Woodies of Huntington's J.T. Cantrell and Company

For those not familiar with the posts (vertical concrete, not messages!), Art’s 2009 pix show the difference clearly.  I’ve taken the liberty of attaching two; the heavy rectangular cross-section is a roadway safety-wire post (these held the wire in clips) alongside the pavement (others had through holes for twist-wire), while the thin triangular cross-section posts marked the RoW boundary (usually 50’ ).  More posts on posts are posted at <http://sbiii.com/limposts.html> (where I see I’ll have to post more post posts, post-haste!).  Sam, III

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

I just can’t come up with an answer. Fairly sure that’s a railroad track at the lower right corner. A sturdy appearing fence between the tracks and rear of the building, looks to be made of concrete or cement. Row of pines were planted for privacy, maybe lots of trains going back & forth.

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Top: Same view from Searing Av but without trees

Bottom: From Searing Av at opposite side of property.

Map link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1396j0_672hYkvbcNFJInbc1mXNJspD9f&ll=40.7449954933771%2C-73.6374224935605&z=19

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Robert Grave Jr’s exquisite garage (1908-1966) in Mineola, NY, on dead-end street Searing Av, looking NW, where he housed his 1906 Mercedes racer for the 1905, ‘06, and ‘08 Vanderbilt Cup races. I believe Jenatzy was Grave’s race driver, later Stricker. The garage later became Corpus Christi school in the ‘50s, when the trees were likely planted. Townhouses were being built on this location in recent years. Take me back, please. My camera is charged and ready

From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola

Thank Greg and Dee -  always good to go back and compare.  Here’s my exploration of the area from 2009. 
https://www.freewebs.com/limparkway/cunninghampark.htm

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

Emmett - I agree with you reusing the unused historic space for a nature bike/trail. Though only 900 ft in length from Cunningham’s Field 6 to the Clearview Expwy, this achievement would benefit everyone, and easily accessed from Union Tpke. A simple northward spur from the Clearview Expwy dead end towards the existing Brooklyn/Queens Greenway would complete the circuit. 

Sam Berliner III’s website reveals J.J. Conroy’s 1970s photos of this area was much clearer back then. Photos Conroy07 and Conroy08 is the same area in question. Link here - http://sbiii.com/limphst1.html

900 ft of wasted historic space is waiting for action. Let’s do it!

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

Great post. Love finding this stuff. Great work Greg and Dee!

Back in 2016 Sam and I discovered this section. Click on this link to see some good pics and video from this location. It is really tough to see this stuff in summer w the vegetation, it’s much better to go in Feb or early March for optimum visibility.

https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/sam_daves_excellent_lost_motor_parkway_adventure_i_clearview_expressway_que

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

Hello I own the blue with light blue 1925 dodge Brothers Suburban. I am
trying to find out any information you have if this the truck you restored I know the truck was in Parsipany NJ from 79 80 from a DPW parking permit in the window.Any thing about this great car would be much appreciated. Thank you   John please feel free to call me 862 354 3535 after 6 pm

From From the Hugh Nutting Collection: Insight into the Woodies of Huntington's J.T. Cantrell and Company

I walked this this back in 2000 and took pics. Actually went back this spring and took pics , but it’s overgrown. I have a Lost Long Island FB page on the LIMP. The pics are there

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens

I have been in contact with NYC parks regarding clearing out that area to make it a trail. I am going to reach out to the city again. Would be a nice trail if it connected to the Brooklyn Queens greenway somehow. It would be a days work with the right equipment and would make good use of the space. They are going to be start repaving and renovating other portions of the parkway soon. See some pics from spring.

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens