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
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Recent Comments
Do we dare ask what will appear in its place? History is one thing money can’t buy.
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Howard Kroplick
Like many older properties in the area, this is likely a tear-down to be replaced by a brand new house.
#1 Wheatley was over 110 years old….. I’ll miss it!
From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury
Great Image, Frank! Nice find.
ID Location/Orientation: Birds Eye View of Oakland Gardens & Glen Oaks, Queens. View is East.
ID Major Rds.: From west to east…LIMP, Springfield Blvd, Union Tpke, Cross Island & Grand Central Pkwys, Winchester & Commonwealth Blvds, Little Neck Pkwy.
ID LIMP structures&buildings;: From west to east…Pkwy bridge ( Springfield ), Rocky Hill Toll Booth, Wheeler bridge #1 ( Fairly sure I see an opening/underpass on the N/S of the LIMP, just E/O the House; that’s E/O the Toll Booth in an enlarged view ), Wheeler bridge #2 ( See a path north & south of the LIMP, between Grand Central & Winchester; in an enlarged view ), Pkwy bridge ( Winchester ), Creedmoor Hwy bridge ( Looks to be a “white” overpass N/O Union Tpke, between Winchester & Commonwealth Blvds; in an enlarged view ), Pkwy bridge ( Commonwealth ), Pkwy bridge ( Little Neck ), and Creedmoor Facility ( S/O Union Tpke ).
Aerial Date/Rationale: The Rocky Hill Toll Booth was removed within 3 yrs of LIMP closing. So I’ll guess 1940.
Internet Link: Perhaps Frank found this image a “www1.nyc.gov”. I didn’t explore this site, yet. But it’s bookmarked.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Looking southeast in Queens from Union Tpke left to right across bottom; Winchester Blvd bottom to top; Alley Pond Park lower left; Rocky Hill Road entrance to Motor Parkway at bottom; and Creedmoor Pyschiatric Hospital and Grand Central Parkway at top right.
Photo from NYC archives about 1930.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
-Identify the location and orientation
Alley Pond Park, View Southeast, With Recreation Area on Springfield Boulevard in Foreground
-Identify the major roads
Union Tpke, Springfield Blvd/Rocky Hill Rd., Grand Central Pkwy
-Identify the Motor Parkway structures and buildings
Amazing view of the Rocky Hill Rd lodge/entrance! Zooming in far enough, brings in almost every LIMP structure (still standing up to March 7th, 1940) to the Little Neck Pkwy Bridge.
-What is the approximate date of the Mystery Foto. Provide a rationale.
March 7th, 1940 -Union Tpke expansion, GCP both completed
-Bonus: Provide the Internet link to this aerial.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1437298~143832:dpr_18286?qvq=q:Alley+Park&mi=28&trs=33
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
This shows the Motor Parkway winding through Eastern Queens,going over Springfield Blvd.,past the Adelphi Academy and Alley Pond Park athletic fields,under the Grand Central Parkway,over Winchester Boulevard,past Creedmoor State Hospital,probably dead-ending at the under construction Cross Island Parkway,resuming and passing over the Commonwealth Blvd. bridge. The time frame is around 1939-40 when the Cross Island was being built. My neighborhood! Great picture!
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
From a date perspective, I want to say 1932-1933.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
I believe this is Queens, looking East. I think that’s the Rocky Point toll and Rocky Hill Road Bridge over Springfield Ave. The Grand Central looks new, so I’m assuming it may have opened fairly recently. The park is Alley Pond Park to the left and you can make out Creedmore in the distance. You can also make out the Alley Road Bridge and perhaps Clinton Ave? Not sure about that one.
Great find!
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Rocky Hill Rd. Springfield Blvd. I saw this picture last week online. It’s a good one.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
The last image displaying pretty much the entire roadway looks to be an east view. Wouldn’t mind seeing how far west the club exposed the roadway. I do remember the cart path heading southerly from this point, gradually diverting away from the LIMP.
I imagine the club must have photos,etc. of their property from the past?
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Howard Kroplick
Brian, unfortunately the club does not have many vintage photos of the course.
From A New Motor Parkway Historic Marker Installed at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston
I would really like some in-depth technical detail on the Knox Giant. It seems like an amazing car destined for an amazing driver.
From The continuing story of Joan Newton Cuneo: "Those daring young (wo)men in their racing machines"
My father, Frence (Francis) Kellerman was the doctor on Alva in the late thirties. He joined at Kiel in Germany and after sometime with WK he settled in the UK before the Second World War.
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Howard Kroplick
Neat! Do you have any photos to share? If so, please forward to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .
From One of Yachting's Dozen: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Alva
Joseph DeBono
The Mystery Photo # 45 is “Tampa Hall” in Brentwood they had a meeting for the “Taxpayers Association of the Motor Parkway Acreage”. Thank you Howard
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
Brian McCarthy:
This building seemed familiar, and I ended up “re-finding” this image on your 9/16/2015 Blog “1926 Map of the Motor Parkway Acreage in Brentwood” ( TAMPA ). The attached aerials courtesy of Suffolk County imaps display this building in 1947,62,78. Then in 1984 till 2016 it’s a new structure, but within the same property ( 143 Caleb’s Path, Central Islip ). This newer building is the “Long Island Ghanaian Seventh Day Adventist Church”. I snapped a photo of it today (see above).
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
No Autonomous driving involved here.
From Jalopnik.com: Today's Race Car Divers Have it Easy
That was TAMPA Hall built for the Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage, a civic organization, and was located on the corner of Caleb’s Path and Gates Avenue. It was used for meetings and social events primarily by the residents of a specific sub-division of Brentwood near the LIMP.
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
As per vanderbiltcupraces.com
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article//the_motor_parkway_acreage_in_brentwood
“This was the hall of the Taxpayers Association of the Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) on Caleb’s Path and Gate Avenue in Brentwood. TAMPA was formed on May 28, 1934 for the protection, improvement, and benefit of the civic interests of the community. The hall was used for meetings, social events lectures and parties until the 1950s.”
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
Could this have been a Motor Pkwy maintenance facility? If so, and if memory hasn’t failed, this would’ve been located in the Dix Hills area, 1/2 mi. west of Deer Park Ave. Tough mystery Jason, looking forward to this week’s solution
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
Stumped! Oddly, this structure is similar in size/configuration to John Russell Pope’s lodges. The windows appear the same and it’s receiving electricity but no chimney to heat the unit. The communications antenna places this at least the ‘30s. Unlikely a prototype lodge.
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Taxpayers Association of Motor Parkway Acreage (TAMPA) Hall in Brentwood
Great write-up! I beg to differ with Penny, however. Try driving a supercharged 1928 7.020 litre SS Mercedes with the three-pointed star 10 feet away out front, stiff underslung springing, brutal steering, mechanical brakes, and the accelerator pedal BETWEEN the clutch and brake pedals! After the star starts around a turn, it feels as if it takers five minutes before the cowl, and then you, follow. Add to that the frantically-anxious owner of this museum-piece next to you and you match any ALCO or Tucker drive. Sam, III
From Jalopnik.com: Today's Race Car Divers Have it Easy
All those flecks of oil, all that blue exhaust, all that thrashing of chains and vibration. Gee its a real car with lock to lock steering: a car that you drive not one that drives you. There is nothing that can compare with a ride at speed in a chain drive beast. You are immediately transported back to the dawn of motoring and gain a real appreciation for skill and endurance of the early drivers. Bravo!!!
From Jalopnik.com: Today's Race Car Divers Have it Easy
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