Vanderbilt Cup Races

I forget to mention, no one at the time seemed apt to save the historic Hangar 16 from demolition. Photos of it still exists, the hangar housing Col Lindbergh’s plane to cross the first solo flight across the Atlantic to Paris.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925

Art - Thanks again for sharing these historic news clips. They’re priceless and hard to find. So much info is gained from them to help visualize a clearer prospective of what really happened over the years and how things eventually established. Please keep ‘em goin’.

Sam III - From what I’ve gathered the lot mentioned is the area of Roosevelt Field Airfield (Mall today), and the immediate area south bounded by Stewart Ave and Raymond Ct. The Mott Section (west of Clinton Ave) is out of this. Very few houses would eventually be built in this small area, contrary to the original plan, and most construction would eventually be contributed to the creation of Roosevelt Field Mall, New York State’s largest shopping mall. I welcome any response here.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925

As long as I’m going so far back in memory, I should once again note that the little building on Stewart just north of the engineering offices became (or was the site of) the LI Trust Co. bank, later Franklin-cum-European American. and now Chase.  If the field of view extended just a bit to the east (right), you might see the big LILCO gas holder (when was that erected?).  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925

Ah, rampant sexism reared its ugly head - “an organization of Yale, Princeton and Harvard men”!  Worse, of course, is that no one (men, anyway) even noticed or cared.  Frank or somebody - please tell us more about that august body.  Unrelated - happily, not all the hangars were demolished.  Also, please remember that south side of the throat of the historic wind tunnel is most-likely still buried in the inner south wall of the bridge; it was there when I was and and was wall-boarded over shortly thereafter, ca. 1957 (I am soooo old - - - ).  :·)  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925

Frank Femenias

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

Interesting 1926 NY Times article about the sale of Curtiss Field to developers.  Mentions the Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925

Looks like the mystery has been solved thanks to Jerry Jordak of the Penn Central Railroad Historical Society. Jerry found that the work was not painted by Peter Helck, it was painted by artist Lumen Martin Winter.  Jerry provided us with this link showing that the art work went up for auction in recent years.

“Item Overview
Description: DESCRIPTION: Lumen Martin Winter (American, 1908-1982). Wall mural. The Empire State Express, No. 999. 1965. Depicts the flagship high speed passenger locomotive developed for the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad as it pulls passenger cars along a New York landscape. The Empire Express No. 999 was an American type locomotive with 4-4-0 wheels. It became the fastest manmade invention. Born in 1908 in Ellery, Illinois, Winter attended the Cleveland School of Art and the National Academy of Design in New York. He then took part in a Federal Arts Project set up by the Works Progress Administration, painting murals in Post Offices, schools, and other public buildings. PROVENANCE: Created by Lumen Winter for the walls of the New York Central Railroad headquarters boardroom in 1965. In 1972, the former New York Central Railroad boardroom was used as a location in the filming of “The Godfather”. Shown in the scene depicting the meeting of the five families, it is hanging on the wall behind Don Emilio Barzini, Richard Conte, and serves as a backdrop as the five dons pledge their allegiance to peace. MEASUREMENTS: Approximately 16’ wide x 9’ high. CONDITION: Light surface wear throughout. Raw edges due to removable from building wall.”
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/lumen-martin-winter-american-1908-1982-950-c-a0a96c7249

In searching Mr. Winter I also came across this information:
The Lumen Martin Winter mural of Empire Express 999 seen during the meeting of the five families in the old New York Central Rail Road boardroom had been in the possession of The Pennsylvania State Historical and Museum Commission. In the fall of 2014, it was deaccessioned by the commission, and put up for auction. It was purchased by an avid fan of the movie, and is now in his private residence.

Thank you Jerry Jordak for your assistance with this treasure hunt.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

Happy Birthday, indeed - you young punk!  :·)

Whoo, was I ever off on this one!  That doesn’t bother me; I often am, but I marvel at the amazing similarities of the the two sites here and on some of my other mis-IDs.

Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

Some more pics from my May, 2019 visit. 

Still north of Westbury Avenue, but except for the first one showing the Parkway berm, other two are looking south towards Westbury Avenue.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

First post-retirement Motor Parkway exploration on a road well traveled (I was in the area so decided to stop and revisit an area been around many times). 

North of Westbury Avenue, looking north.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

The photo is facing to the northeast in the Queens Village/Glen Oaks area.
The location is the new Creedmoor Psychiatric Center.  The center fully opened in 1927.
It appears that you can see Commonwealth Blvd. and possibly Union turnpike to the left.  You can see the power plant and the LIRR Creedmoor coal spur which comes up from the bottom of the photo from a junction with the old Steward/ Central branch.
The LIMP can be clearly seen in the upper left of the photo with the Creedmoor bridge.
The year of the photo is between 1926 to 1930.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

Yes Dave, I agree with your reply to everyone, hard to believe so much remains. You can close your eyes when you do your discoveries and imagine,,,,

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Queens Village looking north over Creedmoor Hospital.

Winchester Blvd, upper left corner and Winchester BLVD bridge
Motor parkway seen in upper part as well.
Year was likely 1920s, early 1930s, before build up of Union Tpke.

Complex opened in 1912 as Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

We’re looking northeast over the Creedmoor (now Glen Oaks) section of Queens. Other than the LIMP in the upper left, there is Commomwealth Blvd. running north-south to the right of the complex. The Creedmoor highway bridge is also visible over the LIMP. I’m going to guess the date to be around 1930 since the Brooklyn State Hospital at Creedmoor complex is well established yet there is no evidence of the Union Turnpike extension having even been started.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

Kinda has to be the Pilgrim State Hospital (today’s Pilgrim Psychiatric Center) campus prior to the LIE or the Sagtikos, looking (LI) east, with the LIMP at upper left curving to run under Wicks Avenue.  College Road at right and Washington Avenue at the far right.  Wild guesses - that blur under the bridge might be a toll entrance and the year late 1930’s because Pilgrim is well developed but there is no LIE or SSP.  [No fun cheating.]  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens (Circa 1927-1931)

Dave - understood. So the N-S running posts (here running perpendicular to the LIMP) are ONLY on the south side of the LIMP. Those posts must be indicating the “S property line” labeled on the attached 1909 survey. It’s possible there could be more N-S running posts on the north side of LIMP at the “N property line” (further east by the lodge), as Croyden Ct today occupies only half of this former property line. That’ll be worth a visit soon.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

Joseph Leo Hunsberger

The MM Academy did a great job! Makes one Proud of our troops and our country!

From Highlights from the Regimental Activities NAFI Auto Show at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Bob, so you didn’t mention…did you ever ask the homeowner of the lodge anything about the LIMP?? Did you even know about it at the time??

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

Sorry….maybe I’m not explaining this properly. See my attached sketch.

As you all know, typically the posts run in line with the LIMP. Whatever direction the LIMP is heading, Posts can be on either side.

In this location, posts run AWAY from the LIMP. My guess is it’s outlining the lodge property line? But I don’t know and you don’t see this at any other lodge location.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

MY LIFE WITH THE LIMP.  I did knock on that door of the lodge when delivering mail.  Think when I was doing that there was a family of Italian heritage in residence.  Also when I was much younger and able to bike from Foxcroft Rd., I think the lodge was painted yellow.  This was in the late 50’s.  Thanks for the memories.  Wish I was with ya.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston