Vanderbilt Cup Races

To answer a question posed above, Union Turnpike was being extended because, in the late 1920s, it was designated as a future arterial highway to Nassau County that would relieve traffic on Nassau Blvd and Hillside Ave. [A Brooklyn Eagle story at that time noted, “Motorists are forced to crawl at a snail’s place between the two counties,” a statement often still true today.] However, by 1932, thinking about the role of Union Tpke had changed thanks to NSP and GCP construction.

“Snail’s pace traffic” wasn’t the only commonality with today—there was wrangling between the state and city, too. NYC, eager for development, ended up paying for the relocation of the LIMP, and the Creedmoor underpass, when the state, city, and Lakeville Holding and Development reached a three-way agreement about the area pictured. (A later city-state dispute slightly altered the course of Union Tpke through Creedmoor to avoid bisecting the athletic areas, but destroying the baseball diamond that can be seen in the photo.)

Finally, no one commented that construction related to the Creedmoor underpass discussed in Nov 2016 posts can be seen in this picture. That Union Tpke was seen a major future arterial route explains the reason for building that underpass even though Winchester Blvd was nearby.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

The #33 Columbia in the 1909 Wheatley Hills Sweepstakes, driver RW Wilcox
The race was run simultaneously with the Massapequa Sweepstakes over the
Short partially completed LIMP course.

From Mystery Foto #24 Solved: The 1911 E-M-F Racer Shown at the 2019 Elegance at Hershey

Great car , but am I being to critical in the restoration thinking someone got a bit over zealous in the pin striping to the chassis, hood, body, front axle wheels etc etc would this actually been done to the car being a race car when new?

From Mystery Foto #24 Solved: The 1911 E-M-F Racer Shown at the 2019 Elegance at Hershey

Beautiful setting, beautiful cars!

From Tucker 1044 Honored at the 2019 Elegance at Hershey

Howard,
Thank you for being a great supporter of the USMMA Midshipman run auto club. Tucker 44 was a great attraction at the show, it was a spectacular day for all the car owners and spectators, but mostly for the students at Kings Point.
_______________________________________

Howard Kroplick

It was an honor to participate!

From Great Neck Record: Classic Cars Displayed in Chrysler's Former Home

Can’t get enough of these oldies, thanks!

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

Howard, who did you contact at the Smithsonian to see the Cup? Going down to see my son this weekend in DC and love to show him the Cup. Thank you.
____________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Suggest contacting Roger White: http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/vanderbiltcuptaces.com_exclusive_the_vanderbilt_cup_trophy_today

From Who Owns the Original Vanderbilt Cup Trophy and Where Is It Today?

Simply remarkable family reunion, all in the course of 100+ years! A treasured event that will no doubt last for future generations. Congrats to Howard and to the Lytle team.

From The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

By Creedmoor. The road being planned is union turnpike.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

Bridgette:

Howard,

So excited to see this email edition. Bob, my neighbor who will be 98 in a few days and is Herb Lytle’s son. (the gentleman in the top gun hat and other picture in the black shirt) He was able to go back to meet his family for the first time; take a little side trip with his grandson to visit where he lived as a child; go to the Indy 500 race; and have this wonderful experience at this stage of his life, because of our original contact with you, and your help and contact in getting the family back in touch through Dave.

Thank you for your part in this!

Affectionately, Brigitte

From The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

How great is that !!

From The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

Identify the location: Queens, near Creedmoor

Identify the major roads: Winchester Blvd., Commonwealth Blvd., LIMP

What is the major road being planned? Union Turnpike

Which Motor Parkway bridges are in the Mystery Foto? Old and New Winchester Blvd. Bridges, Commonwealth Bridge, Little Next Bridge, Creedmoor Pedestrian Bridge

What is the approximate year of the aerial. Provide a rationale.1932 - Union Turnpike Expansion planned but nothing done yet.  LIMP has been moved. 

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

I haven’t a clue but this is very interesting.  My first thought is Union Turnpike because it’s too early to be Northern State Pkwy and certainly not the LIE aborning.  I just can’t find any such alignment anywhere; perhaps it’s facing south but I am so doggedly north-oriented, as are most maps and plans.  There just aren’t that many places where the LIMP parallels NSP or any other major route.  Hmm.  Another “can’t wait”.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

Watching the 1911 Indy film for the umpteenth time (of the 45K), it hit me how wildly exciting it must be to see YOUR OWN car in action!  Sam, III

From The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

Might one inquire as to the identity of the white-haired gentleman?  Clearly he is NOT Herb (1874-1932).  His son (in his ‘90s)?  Sam, III
______________________________________

Howard Kroplick

The man in the Top Gun hat is Bob Lytle, Herb’s 98-year old son. Please see Bridgette’s below comment.

From The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

Adding to my previous comments: Why would Union Turnpike need to be improved at that time? The answer is, for the 1939 World’s Fair. I remember that similar road improvements were made in Queens for the 1964 fair: extension of the Van Wyck Expressway, and construction of the Kew Gardens interchange.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

This is a photo of the Creed farm/Alley pond park on the left and the proposed Union turnpike going east bound.The Winchester Blvd & Creedmoor bridge can be seen.Great picture Howard. Thanks for posting it. Gene

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

Location Queens, Union Turnpike being planned, Motor Parkway ROW above it and moving eastward paralleling the Union Turnpike marked extension. Winchester Blvd running North/South on the left Little Neck Parkway on the far right . Farm way Bridge where Creedmoor hospital now stands, time period late 1920’s.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

LIMP Queens.  Two bridges over Winchester.  Bridge over Common Wealth and Little Neck.  Grand Central (Northern State) is up top.  Looks like breaking ground.  Union Turnpike is left to right lower in picture.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)

The location is over the Creedmoor-Glen Oaks section of eastern Queens County.  In addition to the LIMP, other major roads include Winchester Blvd., Commonwealth Blvd., Little Neck Pkwy., and the eastern terminus (at Winchester Blvd.) of Union Turnpike, the extension of which, was the major road being planned. In the top left corner we can also see construction underway for the Grand Central Pkwy. The LIMP bridges are: Winchester Blvd. (both of them); Creedmoor pedestrian; Commonwealth Blvd.; and Little Neck Pkwy. The date of the photo is probably 1932 since there are still 2 LIMP bridges over Winchester Blvd. and construction has already started on the GCP (which began in 1931) but has not been completed to Nassau County yet which happened in 1933.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Planning for the Extension of Union Turnpike in Queens (Circa 1931/1932)