About
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
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Recent Comments
O. K. No question now that the big tree was south of the RoW/bridge. However, I question the IDs of the group. The resolution just isn’t enough to distinguish the two men in white dusters to the right of the pine tree; the one in the dark duster is clearly Pardington as shown in photo 48A because the very-imposing Thompson, with his white moustache, is unmistakable at right, as he is in the Mystery Foto to the left of the pine. The two unknowns in dusters are probably members of the Motor parkway Commission, leaving the two ordinary mortals at left in both pix to be Brown or his engineers. I’d opt for it being Brown in the snap-brim fedora. Doncha just love “temperoary” and “Jeruslem” and offi-ice” in 48A? Seaking of Thompson, have we seen this fab. 1906 LIMP pic: <https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora:183005>? Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Al P., Here’s a better view of the marker as well a link to Howard’s entry for it.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/motor_parkway_historical_marker_at_the_site_of_the_1908_ground-breaking_cer
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
I own a 49 Super convertible,the difference is Supers have a 248 c.i. Engine with 115 horsepower or 120 horsepower if Dynaflow equipped .The bodies are the same between a Super and Roadmaster, the length differences is the front fenders and hood to acconmdate the 320c.i. 140 horsepower engine.All Roadmaster are Dynaflow , automatic transmission.
From Mystery Auto Foto #47 Solved: Definitely a 1949 Buick Roadmaster that Starred in the Film Rain Man
Greg, I checked Google Street View, and you beat me to it with your comment. There is a NYS historical marker at the embankment. I don’t know when it was put up because on Google it’s too fuzzy to read. I wonder if it’s Howard who is responsible for its being there.
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Howard Kroplick
Al, the historical marker was placed here by the Central Park Historical Society.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Great images! 1951 image brings to mind when my sons were cub scouts with their soap box derby cars : )
From Kleiner's Korner: Peter Helck's Postcard Collection
I was thinking the same, Greg. Tree was still there in the 1950’s. Trees there now are young.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Nice
From Kleiner's Korner: Peter Helck's Postcard Collection
I like the pic of Sam enjoying his ice cream after fun exploring!
From Sammy & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #13 Melville
Sam; Google Street View is sufficient to get an idea of what is currently there. My further rationale for saying that tree no longer stands is when Stewart was widened, it looks like they widened towards the West side of the street (Tree side) and not the East side since the East side bridge embankment is still there.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
I would like to think that the person who took the later photo, #1948, purposely placed his car about where the the auto was parked in the 1908 shot. Note the drainage culvert on the right side is visible as it is in the construction photo dated Aug. 20 ‘08
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Al P. - Isolated up here near Beantown, I have to rely on Google Maps Street View, or the like, and I can’t find ANY old-growth trees there. Even IF such a tree somehow survived the widening of Jerusalem Road/Stewart Avenue, it would be absolutely gigantic compared to the “only”-70-some-odd year old trees evident there now. Someone please go look for me. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Gotta add that I am simply stunned (and thrilled) with the level of detail this ca. 1908 Mystery Foto thread has evinced. Thanks, all! Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
I’m fixated on the big tree, wondering whether it still stands. It looks like it was north of the CRR and south of the LIMP. Could it be the tree on private property at the NW corner of Stewart Avenue and Albergo Court? It’s the only tree with a thick enough trunk to be that old. There are actually two trees, close together, on the property.
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Howard Kroplick
Al, join the club…that tree has always fascinated me!
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Again, more amazing shots of the Barnes’ tract just revealed. Great stuff.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Great photos and zooms Howard. I never get enough of ‘em!
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Thanks Brian, I also did some additional research to no avail. Still can’t figure out what was so unique about this crossing that warranted an overpass
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: The Winner of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Roslyn
-Identify the location of the Mystery Foto and orientation of the photographer. Provide a rationale.
Looking South down Jerusalem Road (Stewart Avenue) in Bethpage and the future location for the Jerusalem Road bridge. My photo below shows the same exact tree in both photos.
-What significant event happened at this location?
On June 6, 1908, this site was the gathering point for the ground-breaking ceremony for the Motor Parkway.
-Kudos question: Identify one person in the Mystery Foto.
I’d imagine Willie K, or A.R. Pardington would/might be there, but despite poor zoom resolution, I’m thinking it looks like Jefferson De Mont Thompson on the right.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Mystery Foto #11B…We are on Jerusalem Road looking south. A Motor Parkway bridge will be built here over Jerusalem Road. As per my researched photo, one of the people shown here is Mr. Pardington along with some engineers involved in the construction of the Motor Parkway. See attached photo below
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Rare, high resolution photograph of old Long Island as it truly looked in 1908! Stewart Ave (Jersusalem Road) in Bethpage looking south towards now defunct Central RR crossing. LIMP General Manager A.R. Pardington with engineers standing on the 16.5 acre Barnes Tract, directly on the Motor Parkway Right-of-Way where the Ground Breaking Ceremony will later take place on June 6, 1908. The car is parked under, where the Jerusalem Road Parkway bridge (1908-1950s) will be built over it.
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
Surely, you jest! This one I gotta see! Beautiful pastoral scene, though. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #11B Solved: The Garden City Archives: Scouting the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Location
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