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
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
“The people that put up the coin for the sport.” This looks like this was the area by the grandstand where spectators could pay to park along the fence near the start/finish line. Parking here was insanely expensive. So the comment is appropriate. The “inconclusive” location of the one photo might be somewhere between Carmen ave and Newbridge rd. These pictures are all treasures. Keep finding and preserving things like this.
From A Family Discovers 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos in their Grandfather's Photo Album
Wow! More great historic photos that have been saved. The travel from Montclair, NJ to CA recorded is equally amazing (https://myveronanj.com/2021/08/01/a-cross-country-adventure-in-1921/). The photo below appears a CRR steam engine captured on the left edge while smoking up Eisenhower Park. Thanks Charles for sharing these gems
From A Family Discovers 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos in their Grandfather's Photo Album
Fantastic photos (and captions)! Thanks Charles for sharing!
From A Family Discovers 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos in their Grandfather's Photo Album
Thanks Thomas - here are two maps from 1906 and 1914 showing some buildings on property of an R.E. Stephens (1906) and Mrs. R.L. Stephens (1914) just north of Jericho Turnpike. Might this be the farm in which your grandmother lived? As Greg noted, any additional info. you have would be great.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
Thomas-
If you have any stories, photos or souvenirs from you grandmother, we’d love to hear or see them.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
In 1905-1907, my grandmother Nellie Parsons LaTourette lived in Westbury with her Parsons family at ages 10-12. My Grandmother told me it was on a farm in Old Westbury, (the Stephen’s Farm) on or near Red Ground (Rd.), just north of and facing E. Jericho Pike/Mineola Blvd. (and Maunch Chuck?) and just north of present day LIE, near or on Wheadley Rd and Old Westbury Rd, near Hairpin curve on the race course of the Vanderbilt Racing Car Cup races. She also shared stories of her family hosting one of the French racing teams in 1906 and their using her barn for their cars and her mom cooking breakfast for them during the races.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
At least they tried to put an embankment to help the racers a little with that sharp left turn. I’d still rather watch from the inside part of that intersection though, thank you very much.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
The church in 2021. The second floor window is now sealed with stained glass. The church still sits 250 feet west of the Woodbury Rd intersection on Jericho Tpke
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
Like modern EVs with two electric motors for all wheel drive.
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
The Christie might be the first twin-engine, 4WD gasoline auto.
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
Mark, yes, that was electric. There was also a Spyker and Benz. Cotta-Mobile and Twyford in the USA. Steam vehicles even earlier.
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
Lee, would that be with electric motors mounted on all 4 wheels?
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
No, the 1898 “System Lohner–Porsche” was an earlier all wheel drive.
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
Amazing high resolution photo! Looks like the winning ‘Old 16’ during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race with George Robertson at the wheel and mechanician Glenn Ethridge at his side. Appears a 90 degree left turn was just executed but photos can be deceiving. There’s 3 possibilities on the counterclockwise course. I’ll guess it’s Woodbury, the left turn from Woodbury Rd onto Jericho Tpke heading west. If true, the photo is facing Southeast. Dangerous curve because the intersection today is still approximately 70 degrees, 117 years later. Vantage point likely from the top of a 2nd story house or business. The roadway seems wide enough for Jericho Tpke ca. 1908. The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race was held on October 24, 1908
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
Is J. Walter Christie a pioneer of ALL WHEEL DRIVE?
From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: J. Walter Christie's 1905 Vanderbilt Cup racer
Nice - you never know what cars will end up in the Kroplick collection. I might just put my 2012 Toyota Camry up for auction one of these days.
From Looking Back at the 2016 Keeneland Concours d'Elegance
Woodbury turn, Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike
Photographer was on the steeple of a nearby church
October 24, 1908
Locomobile, George Robertson, Glenn Etheridge
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
Howard as a board member and former chair of the Carriage Association of America showcase committee I have judged the carriage portion of the Keenland concours. I wasn’t there in 2016 but each year it draws some top class cars and carriages. Congratulations on your well deserved award and good luck in 25! JeRita
From Looking Back at the 2016 Keeneland Concours d'Elegance
The photographer is looking east (or maybe slightly south-east) on Jericho Turnpike at the famous Woodbury turn intersection with Woodbury Road. The photo was taken from the second floor window of the steeple of the local Methodist Church (built in 1852; now the Historical Chapel wedding venue). The date is October 24, 1908 during that year’s Vanderbilt Cup Race with the eventual winner, George Robertson driving the “Old 16” Locomobile with Glen Etheridge as the mechanician.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
Ah, you can’t fool ME on THIS awesome photo of the Woodbury Turn from the 1908 race! Taken from the Woodbury Methodist Church entrance on Jericho Turnpike, facing southeast.
From Mystery Friday Foto #1 Solved: The Dangerous Woodbury Turn on the 1908 Course
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