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
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
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.
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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 $$$$$ disastor! Mr Clark was a great guy…. And His visits to O.B. Town hall , where always fun for everyone! That was in the very early 1960s…... And I have always wished I were a bit older , so I could have fit in more with those Fine, fine people! But no matter what…I am grateful, for having had the chance to meet them!
Richie Krause
Shelter Island
From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Robert R.
Austie’s trophy is wonderful!
So glad you showed it.
All the best, Robert
From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Wow, what an incredible assortment of historical photos! Howard, thanks for sending them to us. Fantastic investigation.
Rog
From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway
Fascinating info!
From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel
No special insight on nickel plate, I just looked up the marking on base. HOMAN Manufacturing Co. of Cinn.OH.
Started 1847 in Cinn. NYC address 32 Park Place in 1898.
Last mention 1940.
Pieces like tea pots and servers for sale, very reasonable. I believe this trophy’s value rests with auto racing fans, so hope you can identify the race event. HAC history helps too.
Well done Mr.Gosden!
From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Howard,,, “i’ met Mr Clark , a few times when I worked for the Town of Oyster Bay! I was a real young Man, ( About 18/19 ) And he was a good friend of Harold Kraft, A deputy Town engineer! Mr Kraft ,had many old Cars also! “Austy” Clarks Museum in South Hampton…Was fabulous! And I have been told, By Friends from the East end of L.I. Mr Clarks family had sugar plantations in Cuba! And the Fidel Castro, take over Caused them a Huge $$$$$ 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 Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway
Originally named Flagg & Homan, the company was founded in 1847 by Henry Homan and Asa Flagg in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Homan ran the business as Homan & Co. until 1887. The named changed 1896 to Homan Silver Plate Co. Somewhere between 1904 and 1915 the name changed to the Homan Mfg. Co. The Company closes in 1941.
More research needed about the actual research shown.
From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Also amazing is how Clinton Robertson’s photo album assisted in locating the ceremony site. His photos keep popping up. I’m attempting to adjust the online map and have located the Barne’s Tract on Nassau County’s map site in 1926. The tract is measuring 1 acre short of the 16.465 purchased. Not bad considering the crude tools. Are there any surveys available for the Barnes Tract? I also noticed Richard and Ellen’s Halfway Tea Room was a vacant lot in 1926. Photos are below.
From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway
Hi Howard:
Congrats and best wishes always !!!!
Cheers and Best, Ron Ridolph
From Patch.com, Roslyn Times, & Manhasset Times: Town Officials Celebrate Career Of Town Historian
I may not know LIMP as well as I should but I sure know my Chryslers! I bow to Mark in deep homage! Magnifiers be damned; I missed the horizontal back-up-light/license-plate-lamp housing of #1, clearly a 1941. Oh, the shame. :·( Sam, III [P.S. - #5’s a ‘49 Chevy? Dad had one (briefly). No landau irons! Oh, well.]
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
Nancy - this is becoming more interesting. If Baruch’s property did indeed extend to 900 acres as commented by Leroy Douglas, I was able to fill a 730 acre lot, including the mansion, and roughly using Al Velocci’s constraints that stretch from the LIE to Merritt Ave, with 170 acres to spare. It is said that the largest property Motor Parkway Inc. purchased for building the parkway was 891 acres in Lake Ronkonkoma.
From Was the "Bagatelle" Mansion in Half Hollow Hills Built by a Vanderbilt?
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