Vanderbilt Cup Races

I’m with Sam, the bulging tire/spokes configuration more resembles a car than motorcycle. What a toughie, and great homing into the model # Brian.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Great story. Odd how author can make factual errors like this though. Strange.

Where did he even come up with the deeply wooded turn around spots every 5 miles? How could he just make this up? Was this originally planned but then never happened? I never heard about this. He specifically says engineers planned and did this.

Hey frank, I’m waiting for you to show me exactly where this Mitchell gardens picture is today! What’s taking you so long??

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Great observation Brian! I knew something was odd/obvious about this photo but was unable to figure it out. YES, photo most likely taken from on top of one of the twin bridges! The elevation is about right and the parkway curving to the right down the road matches (~1000ft), towards the Meadow Brook Lodge and Bridge. As Howard stated this is a rare view of the stretch. Both bridges were taken down sometime in the ‘40s (late ‘40s?). Though the article was written in ‘51, the auto appears to be late ‘40s. Fantastic article, thanks Howard.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

A correction to my comment: I previously felt that Walt’s trophy was awarded during the 1920’s. 2 of 3 of the trophies within The Henry Ford Collection are dated 1909 - bottom inscribed 3052, and dated 1933 - bottom inscribed 4164. Walt’s is inscribed 3088. So know I feel his winged 2 wheeled trophy was awarded from 1910 thru 1920.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Easy, folks.  Those are wood-spoke wheels (complete with valve stems, no less!).  Not too many bicycles or motorcycles with wood wheels.  Sorry, Florence and Brian.  Of course, it could be just artistic license, but highly unlikely on such a detailed and expensive trophy.  Suggest focus should remain on autos.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, I sent to your email 2 links. This is an screenshot of trophies manufactured by The Homan Company, from 1 of the links I sent to your email. I find it curious that this winged trophy isn’t inscribed like the 3 from the Henry Ford Collection.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

*Manufacturer of Trophy: Homan Manufacturing Company

*When, where was this company founded. Final year of business: Cincinnati, Ohio 1847 thru 1941. Henry Homan b. 1826 d. 1865 and Asa Flagg both managed this company until around 1851, Henry continued to manage until his death, still a young man. Asa was enlisted in the Civil War, and passed a few years after Henry. So maybe they were both casualties due to the war. The Homan family continued to operate the business until 1941. I read that the company manufactured items for World War 2 and may have provided the military until 1950.

*What vehicle race/event was this trophy awarded: I failed to locate. The Henry Ford Museum has 3 inscribed trophy/cups that the Homan Company provided. None of them are similar to Walt Godsen’s. Going by the item# on the bottom, I feel that the race that Walt’s trophy was awarded was during the 1920’s. I don’t see inscriptions around this winged trophy, where as the 3 in the museum do. For all we know, the trophy may have been awarded for a bicycle or motorcycle event.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, Some other info regarding the “Barnes Tract” On the invitation to the ground breaking ceremonies. You will note the quotation marks around Barnes. that"s because Barnes was not the owner of the 16 plus acres, he was the executor for the Samuel T. Downer estate who owned the tract. The Parkway paid $5100 for the parcel purchasing it in June 1907. Parkway officials selected this location for the ground breaking because it was the first section of the Parkway’s r.o.w. east of Merrick Ave. that was wider than 100 feet.  An interesting component of the “Barnes” tract purchase was that the Parkway did not directly acquire it but used an intermediate party. To keep land acquisition costs down, early on the Parkway hired individuals, realtors attorneys and others who would purchase properties in their names and then turn them over to the Parkway. With regard to the “Barnes Tract”, the property was first acquired by Jenny and Charles Shaw of Brooklyn who told Barnes they were looking to purchase a small farm on Long Island in anticipation of moving from Brooklyn when he retired. The Shaws were also instrumental in other purchases for the Parkway. Al.

From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway

Florence Ogg (former curator of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Musuem:

The photo of the trophy in your latest newsletter seems to be for a motorcycle.
race. Did Willie ever compete in any of those races? I remember seeing him on a motorcycle in a photo.
Thanks for the newsletter.
Florence

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

I wonder what happened to the Mitchel Gardens stretch after 1953, when construction started on the Meadowbrook Parkway extension.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Great story even with the flaws. The car in the photo is a Kaiser or Frazer which were produced from 1947 to 1954. I would point out that the section running through Levittown was not small.
—————————————

Howard Kroplick

Mike, the original eight miles of the Motor Parkway was 22 feet wide.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

My congratulations, too!
Thank you for your past efforts in preserving local history and best wishes for your efforts to restore the Roslyn grist mill.

From Patch.com, Roslyn Times, & Manhasset Times: Town Officials Celebrate Career Of Town Historian

O. K., Mark!  ‘50 Plymouth?  Sam, III

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

The first automotive parkway was built by horses A friend’s family had a excavating company in Westbury in that era and he once said they were contracted for work on the parkway. Their yard was on Post Ave next to the RR on the north side

From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway

Thanks for the Motor Parkway story.  I remember when I was young having our Boy Scout leader taking us for hikes on it—we kept asking him if it would ever be opened again for cars.

Ken

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

This would’ve made a great mystery foto! This image must have been taken from atop the Roosevelt Field Hwy Bridge. I remember Art Kleiner’s mystery foto viewing the LIMP west from this bridge, also from Newsday.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Homan Mfg. Co., mfts.of Britannia ware (electro-plated silver) started in Cincinnati in 1847 as, or became, Flagg & Homan, also Homan & Co., then joined International Silver around September 1898.  Was still doing business as Homan in 1905.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

I somehow missed this gem; an interesting, if deeply flawed, story.  1935, indeed; amazing that I can remember riding on it at such a tender age!  But do tell us more about these fascinating turnouts-cum-turnarounds every five miles, please.  Horse puckies, no?  Sam, III

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Richie Krause

Howard,,, “i’ met Mr Clark , a few times when I worked for the Town of Oyster Bay!  I was a real young Man, ( About 18/19 ) And he was a good friend of Harold Kraft, A deputy Town engineer!  Mr Kraft ,had many old Cars also!  “Austy” Clarks Museum in South Hampton…Was fabulous!  And I have been told, By Friends from the East end of L.I.  Mr Clarks family had sugar plantations in Cuba!  And the Fidel Castro, take over Caused them a Huge $$$$$ disastor!    Mr Clark was a great guy…. And His visits to O.B. Town hall , where always fun for everyone!  That was in the very early 1960s…... And I have always wished I were a bit older , so I could have fit in more with those Fine, fine people!  But no matter what…I am grateful, for having had the chance to meet them! 
Richie Krause
Shelter Island

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Robert R.

Austie’s trophy is wonderful!
So glad you showed it.

All the best, Robert

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.