Vanderbilt Cup Races

Frank—yes let the discussion begin!——my initial thought was to agree with you. This can’t be LIMP pavement. This must be some sort of “path” they built to help them transport / wheel supplies from one spot to another, BUT look at this pavement. This is clearly not something new that was done. This is quite old. This is not a five and dime construction site. If they were going to need a path for their purposes, they would make one a lot better then this. They would have updated this if they needed to. It doesn’t cost that much to make a nice/new path like this.

And why do you say the lower end of the strip resembles LIMP?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Howard or Al: was the bridge writing original? I doubt it but If not do you know what year it was added? Do you think there was any writing on the western abutments? Or were they only writing on the eastern ones here because of the upcoming curve? Was there writing on most bridges?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Father/Son - nice work!  What’s next?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Mitchell Field.  Early.  Before they paved the runways.  And the planes seem like old bi-planes.  The Roosevelt Field Motor Parkway Bridge, the Merrick Ave Bridge, and the Meadowbrook Lodge are all there to see. 
-joe

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

-Location of the aerial and the photogrpher’s orientation

Looking North directly over Mitchel Field.

-The Long Island Motor Parkway bridges and structures

Roosevelt Field Bridge, Meadowbrook lodge, Merrick Ave bridge

-Other historic properties that can be seen in the aerial

Mitchel Field, N & S Meadowbrook Polo fields, Meadowbrook Golf Club

-The estimated year of the aerial. Provide a rationale.

1927ish-Concrete runways not present at Mitchel, LIMP operational, no Roosevelt racetrack

-The name of the digital collection and its university location

Unknown-still looking

-Bonus: Where is the flying biplane in the aerial?

Biplane and it’s shadow are in the foreground over Mitchel’s runway

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

Clody still stands! Thanks to all the daredevil photographers over the decades for recording its existence and condition. Isn’t Suffolk’s Smith farmway bridge on Maxess Rd still standing as well, or was it totally removed? I remember builders were chipping away at it in 2016. 

In Clody’s already abrasive environment, the signage on the NE abutment (Don’t Pass Cars on Bridges and Curves) always seems more faded (slightly) than its sister in the SE. This could be due to more sun exposure.

The curved pavement cannot be Motor Parkway. The westward roadway did curve to the right towards the north, not left. I super zoomed into the pavement using ‘Paint’ and determined it was crudely laid out in small sections, but the lower end of the strip does resemble LIMP pavement. Could’ve been laid out for sandpit vehicles avoiding muddy areas. Time for a debate!

How the heck does anyone get into this place without being seen/caught?! Truly daredevils!
_________________________________________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Frank, the Maxess Road abutments are still standing. However, the top of the bridge and girders have been long gone.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Bucket list item. Had to be done. What an amazing LIMP remnant.

Of the remaining bridges how is it possible that this writing on the abutments remains on this one? True it’s not exposed to vandals or graffiti but it is in a very busy construction location and as you can see the bridge is actually USED for STRUCTURAL purposes after 118 years - which is probably why they wont allow anyone in here to see this as I’m sure this is not the most “code compliant” situation, but it’s so cool this is still here.

Does anyone know what year that writing was done? When you compare the 1981 photos to 2017 the southeast abutment “PLEASE BE CAREFUL” has aged very well. The other side has worn out much worse but it’s awesome so see it still there.

Regarding the possible LIMP pavement on the west side of the bridge: According to Wayne’s map when going under the bridge heading west you have a straightaway that is followed by a relatively sharp turn to the NORTH. Our picture clearly shows this possible pavement curving to the SOUTH, and not at all far away from the bridge. I don’t know. Could be another example of “you can’t argue with physical, visible remnants!” But again, knowing what this site is used for now and the fact that 118 years later the original pavement exists? If it’s not the pavement what the heck could it be?? A possible path to take materials on a wheeled cart or something? But why does it look just like LIMP pavement? It’s not some new path these guys built that’s for sure.

Wish we took more pics. Camera was at 80% upon arrival, but after the trek in and the brutal cold the phone went down to literally 1% and I was sure I was going to lose the photos but thankfully they survived but it was a stressful ordeal for sure. You definitely have that “I better get the **** outta here” feeling the whole time you are there!

What a great remnant. Nothing else like it. Amazing to see it.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Great coverage, Dad & Son! I personally never been at this location, and heard how hard it is exploring around here. No problem for you trailblazers!

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Great comparison photos. You can see that unfortunately the “Do not Pass” lettering has faded between 1981 and 2017 on the north abutment. It could be gone in another decade.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

What a great job with this post.  That last picture is as real as it gets.  It looks like our parkway to me.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

I’m a bit late submitting my guesses, but here are my thoughts:

I realized that the now defunct Dowling College is on the former grounds of The Idle Hour Mansion in Oakdale, but didn’t know that Dowling & Adelphi were the same. Had no clue what year this was proposed, but guessing after 1938. The athletic fields were created much earlier than I thought. On a 1947 topo map, this area is titled “Academy Athletic Field”. The field was still there on a 1951 aerial map ( NYCityMap ). Had no clue who was housing developers in the later 1950’s? What a shame that the clubhouse burnt down, it appeared to be a fine structure. And it was just E/O the Rocky Hill Rd lodge!

From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: A Plan for the Adelphi Academy Bordering on the Motor Parkway

Better late than never,Happy New Year and the best of health. Keep the memories and history going as always.

From The Top Twenty-Five 2017 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Thanks for all you do for this hobby and special thanks for saving Chrysler’s Chrysler.

From The Top Twenty-Five 2017 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Nice find Art. Tough mystery. The racetrack/football field was built in the late ‘30s but unlike the proposed plan it was set diagonally. It appears the facility was partially built as well. Still searching…

From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: A Plan for the Adelphi Academy Bordering on the Motor Parkway

Fascinating.  My 26 Model 243 Packard is rated in its huge straight 8 at about 84 horsepower, no idea of torque except that it should be fairly high.

From Road and Track & Jalopnik: Watch a Barn-Find Tucker Lay Numbers on a Dyno

A Great Motor Parkwayear !!!!

From The Top Twenty-Five 2017 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Howard,
  Thank you for a wonderful year of reading and fun. Your “Open House” was an amazing event. We wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!

From The Top Twenty-Five 2017 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

wow great tucker stuff. from the looks of the heater it appears to be electric heat element,am i correct?

From Updated 1/24/2018: Profile Series: Tucker 1029 Preston Tucker's Tucker

I had documented the “Pavement Rediscovered in Albertson/Williston Park” long ago but now can’t locate same - sorry; I’ll keep looking.  No matter - this is an excellent excuse to wish all LIMPers a happy and healthy New Year!  Sam, III

From The Top Twenty-Five 2017 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

I missed this one - what I find remarkable is the two different offices and the formality of the greeting.  N “Dear Al” back then!  Also, Kienzle ( a famous German clockmaker’s name) was Secretary-Treasurer then, not General Manager.  What’s in Room 3405 today?  I worked in the (a?) Denton Building ca. 1956.  Sam, III

Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Planned Hempstead Plains Motor Parkway Speedway