Vanderbilt Cup Races

The driver of the automobile is Edward Cromwell Willets. He was the Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead 1900-1906. The woman along side him is his wife, the former Ida Albertson. The community is named after her family. The road named after his farther is I. U. Willets Rd. The photo was taken on the Willets farm which was located west of Shelter Rock Rd. The Motor Parkway right of way west of Shelter Rock Rd. was part of the Willets farm. Eleven plus acres of the farm was purchased thru the Borough Bank of Brooklyn in July of 1909 for which the Parkway paid$15,775.  Most of the Parkway’s r. o. w. between New Hyde Park Rd. and Shelter Rock Rd. came from the Willets farm.  My imagination tells me the auto is parked on what would become the Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

-Identify the automobile, model and year
Unsure about the runabout-may try looking again later

-Identify the driver who served as the town supervisor of North Hempstead. When did he serve as town supervisor? Hint: His father has a mjor Long Island Road named after him.

Edwin C. Willets of Roslyn was supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead from 1900 to 1903 and again from 1904 to 1907.

-The Mystery Foto was taken on the Town Supervisor’s property which later bordered on the Long Island Motor Parkway. Where was the photo taken?

His Mineola farm

-Bonus: The boy and woman were both from a Long Island family that had a village named after it. Name the family.

Ida Albertson of the Albertson family

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

Not sure about this but here’s my guess: the driver is Edwin C. Willets who served two terms as North Hempstead Supervisor (1900-1903), (1904-1907). The passenger, since she appears to be dressed for mourning, could be the widow of Eugene V. Willis, who was the Supervisor from 1903 to 1904. The boy could be her son. Since Willis died early in 1904, maybe Willets was appointed to finish his term. I. U. Willets Road is named after Edwin’s father. The Willis family is remembered as the namesake of Williston Park, East Williston, and Willis Avenue. The photo may have been taken on the estate of Isaac Underhill Willets which later evolved into today’s Buckley Country Day School in North New Hyde Park. As for the car, no clue. I’ll leave that to the “Brass Era” guys.

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

Looking good Howard!!  Can’t wait to see your car when it’s finished.  You look like a proud papa looking at your Tucker.
Rog

From On the Road to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Tucker 1044 Conservation Report:

Howard and Roz thank you again for opening your collection It was a privilege to park our wagon among them Yours Jerry and Rita

From Highlights from the Vanderbilt Cup Region-AACA's Spring Dust-Off to the Waterfront at Roslyn

Do I see a concrete wall holding up a hill on the upper left corner of the picture?

From Updated: Mystery Foto #14 Solved: The Northern State Parkway Under Construction in 1932

How fortunate to be able to install original, traceable parts. A work to be proud of!  I go with the original color green.

From On the Road to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Tucker 1044 Conservation Report:

Identify the automobile, model and year:  Will let others wiser than I try this.

Identify the driver who served as the town supervisor of North Hempstead. When did he serve as town supervisor? Hint: His father has a mjor Long Island Road named after him.  Driver is Edwin Chromwell Willets who served from 1900-1903 and then again from 1904-1907.  During the intervening year of 1903-1904 the the Town Supervisor was Eugene V. Willis.  Edwin’s dad was Isaac Underhill Willets, of which I.U. Willets is named for.  Both are descendants of Richard Cromwell, brother of Lord Oliver Cromwell. 

The Mystery Foto was taken on the Town Supervisor’s property which later bordered on the Long Island Motor Parkway. Where was the photo taken?  Bordering on Searingtown, near today’s Links condo development which at one time had a golf course at the location accessible from the Motor Parkway.

Bonus: The boy and woman were both from a Long Island family that had a village named after it. Name the family.  First guess was the Willis family, but then found a source indicating Edwin C. Willets married Ida Albertson in 1884.  So might be the Albertson family.  They didn’t have any children, so boy may be another family member.  Then again the woman might be Aunt Bea, the boy Opie, the driver Sheriff Taylor, and the location, Mayberry. 

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

Thank you for the update. Things are progressing so well. It’s great to see that Andante Green ready to apply. It is gratifying knowing the fine work that’s under that primer, so much care went into it. This an epic restoration.

From On the Road to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Tucker 1044 Conservation Report:

Love the Black Beast! I got to drive it back in the mid-eighties when I was a Master Craftsman Technician at Harrah’s Auto Collection. We had to exercise it in preparation for an event in Atlanta. It’s a good thing there is now an electric starter installed as I remember that there was no one at the facility that could hand crank it over fast enough to start, we had to pull start it! Also remember an incredible amount of lovely noise and the flames shooting out the exhaust. What an incredible car! Hats off to you for preserving it and keeping it in regular use.

From Highlights from the Vanderbilt Cup Region-AACA's Spring Dust-Off to the Waterfront at Roslyn

I have a good friend who owns Tucker #11, will pass on more comments on that later, however I wanted to make sure that an inherent problem with Tuckers has been addressed which is the improper radius on all 4 hubs leading to hairline cracks. My friend acquired blueprints for the redesigned hubs from Stan Gilliland who I believe is now deceased but was the founder of the Tucker club and an authority on the subject. Just wanted to make sure this problem has been addressed so there are no rude surprises in the future. Keep up the good work!
Peter W Moore

From On the Road to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Tucker 1044 Conservation Report:

I just donated a 5 gal. can similar to this one to the Vicksburg Historical Society, Vicksburg, MI. The can is green and has Sinclair stamped on the side. I would really like any info. as to age, value, or just anything that might help them with their description. The can will be placed in their 1920-30 Sinclair service station display.

From Mystery Foto #86 Solved: Antique Five Gallon Can Manufactured by George D. Ellis & Sons, Inc.

Tough mystery but here goes. The vehicle year is 1900-1905. Don’t know the vehicle but it looks one of the earliest to hit the real road. Gas powered, likely air cooled, leaf spring suspension, no chain drive. I don’t see a gear selector for the driver. The rear axle is most interesting. Calling Ariejan Bos to fill the gaps.

I’ll guess it’s Eugene V. Willis behind the wheel with Mrs. Willis, Town of North Hempstead supervisor 1903-1904. Could be Willis Ave.

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

My guess is the 1904 Buckmobile Twin Cylinder.  The supervisor being Eugene Willis.  As Williston Park would eventually border the LIMP. 
-joe

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

Edith Klarmann:
Actually, as I recall, we went down Broad Hollow Rd to the LIMP bridge (don’t recall if it was still there) and went on to the LIMP. Alternatively, there was a path opposite St Rose which led to the LIMP and from there we biked as far as we could, crossing that confluence of Roads just before Colonial Springs Rd and continued on the LIMP to just behind the Hairston’s property, which was down hill from the LIMP (the view from the foto is West to the LIMP at the rear of Hairston’s property).  I suppose it was the thrill of riding on the LIMP as much as we did, and not taking any interest in what might have been off to either side of the LIMP… you know, like our own private trail.  Beyond this, I don’t really recall much of anything else.

Edith

From Updated: Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Hike” VI: Broad Hollow Road

Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing.

From Documenting A 1950 Melville Driveway-The Former Entrance to the Huntington Lodge

Hi Edith

Explored the Melville area yesterday and took snapshots you might be interested in seeing. Please let me know.
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From Updated: Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Hike” VI: Broad Hollow Road

Santa Monica, street races were banned on Long Island by 1911. Too many casualties.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Harry Grant Driving the #1 Isotta During the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race

What are the errors in the caption: “The starting line at the Vanderbilt Cup race on William K. Vanderbilt II’s Long Island Motor Parkway in 1914.”
Race did not occur on the Long Island Motor Parkway

Identify the correct location of the photo.  Santa Monica, CA - Ocean Avenue

Identify the race, race car, driver and date.  Isotta, Harry Grant (finished last due to brooken piston on mile 6), 1914 Santa Monica Vanderbilt Cup Race, February 26, 1914

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Harry Grant Driving the #1 Isotta During the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hi Maureen,
I’m so glad to see you’re investigating your roots.  I’m still at it too. Annie, Derek, and I organized a family reunion 2 years ago, with 96 people showing up!  That helped fill in many of the gaps in our family genealogy.
Hope you are well, happy, and thriving.
Grace and peace,
Peter

From Documenting A 1950 Melville Driveway-The Former Entrance to the Huntington Lodge