Vanderbilt Cup Races

Joe O.-  After looking at both images again, I agree there not the same buildings. The ‘West View of Toll Gate’ image is 4 sided, more of a rectangle than a square. Mr. Robertson snapped the photo from the NW to the SE ( late afternoon sun beaming on the west side of the kiosk ). The ‘East View of Toll Gate’ should be a hexagon ( 6 sided ). This image was taken from the SE to the NW, and the sun beaming on the west. Don’t think my eyes are being fooling me.

Fred-  It’s always to neat to read thru memories of you and others. Thanks

From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola

Joe - I believe the 1909 installation of the first Mineola kiosk (top photo) was once located on today’s center median of expanded Jericho Tpke (last photo), right besides the red car passing.
The second installation was moved 50ft south in 1921.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1396j0_672hYkvbcNFJInbc1mXNJspD9f&ll=40.75468384301085,-73.62476597523755&z=20

The square building across the tpke was a transmission repair shop but previously owned by a classic car collector. Check out Walt Gosden’s comment below in this link.

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/long_island_motor_parkway_bridge_series_27_jericho_turnpike_highway_bridge_

Fred - I enjoyed reading about your tunnel experience. I would’ve done the same. Seems the tunnel was a favorite spot for many. I wonder if you knew this kid with photo taken back in 1960?

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/images/blog/aG15980_p1774LL3_LongIslandParkway-Tunnel_ca1960jpg_1-2.jpg

From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola

Interesting history. Imagine the cost of rent today. I wonder who is currently in that very space now.

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Mystery Foto #2… This pic may be Robert Graves, owner of the #3 Mercedes driven by Camille Jenatzy in the 1906 Vanderbilt cup. Possibly in the 1905 race too. Graves had a garage under construction on the course in 1906. The garage collapsed two days before the race.  that’s all I’ve got.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT

That’s Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, cousin of Willie K., and owner of a Fiat that competed in the 1904 V. C. R. (as car # 10) and the 1905 race (as car # 20). The racer was driven by Paul Sartori both times and finished 16th. and 7th. respectively. As to his other V. C. R. or LIMP connections: Alfred’s first wife was Ellen “Elsie” French, a close friend of his sister Gertrude who married Harry Payne Whitney, who became Vice President and a director of Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc. Additionally, Alfred’s son, George Washington Vanderbilt III was instrumental in establishing the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup races.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT

I loved the photos of the LIMP going under Jericho Tpk.  When I was about 6, my family moved into a brand new home on Cromwell Road in Carle Place, just East of the abandoned LIMP, I think about 1953.  I quickly discovered the underpass to the North side of Jericho.  I was told NEVER to cross the Turnpike.  But one day a neighbor saw me on the other side and told my parents.  I told them that “I didn’t cross it, I went under it.”  I came clean and told them about my secret “tunnel”.  Bad move, then I was banned from the “tunnel”.

When I was a little older, I made another discovery.  The abandoned LIMP bridge over the LIRR.  I would watch the last of the steam locomotives as they flew underneath me.  I distinctly remember the smell of the coal smoke blasting all around me from under the bridge.  The steam engines were all retired in 1955.

Great memories…......Thank you so much.  Fred

From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola

Ok.  Please help.  I am confused.  Some pictures are of a square building, and others of a building that has either 5or 6 sides?  Are there really the same place?

From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola

Some additional info regarding the Denton Building and the Parkway.  The Parkway first took desk space in the building April 1907 paying $5.00 per month for April and May. In June they acquired their own office and the rent increased to $35.00 per month. In October that year the Parkway took on additional space moving out of Manhattan as this location became the official headquarters of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The rent increased to $75.00 per month. The Denton Building at the time was the most modern building on Long Island. It had a central heating system, electricity, indoor plumbing and an internal phone system. This is where the Parkway wanted to be, impressing potential investors. The Parkway hired the Lush Sign Works of Freeport to gold letter the office door and exterior windows. The Parkway would remain here thru 1914. In 1915 the Parkway headquarters was moved to Garden City adjacent to the Garden City Lodge into a two room “portable building” (Vanderbilt’s words). Kienzle, the general manager, could not have been too happy. Moving out of the most prestigious office building on the Island into a shed with kerosene lamps instead of electricity, a pot belly coal stove instead of central heat and an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing. The Denton building (it hasn’t been called that for years), is still there receiving a major rehabilitation a couple of years ago thankfully retaining it’s basic exterior look. Al.

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Yes Frank,same for me.

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Thanks for sharing,,

From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

Howard, Is there’s membership card of the Roslyn Historical Society that I think I am as a member? (fork over $25 to John C. at the end of the Preservation meet), Also how about membership card of the Motor Parkway Preservation Society. Like to brag!

______________________________________

Howard Kroplick
Mark, no membership cards. But you can still brag!!

From Roslyn Landmark Society in the News (Updated: 2/21/2019)

Just to let you know that the present day photo of Jericho Turnpike and RR crossing (redone in recent times) is where I past thru to go to Home Depot on the left side other side of track. Sad that the beautiful bucolic scenery beyond the track of the old photo is all gone. Progress?

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Sr., cousin of Willie K.  Died on the RMS Lusitania.
His racer was a 90 hp Fiat
Raced in 1904 and 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Races.  His chauffeur, Paul Sartori was the driver.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT

WOW! Who would’ve known? I’ve passed this unwittingly so many times. Thanks Al.

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Northwest corner

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Rabbit The First was in the Bob Bahre collection a few years ago.

From Henry Ford Museum 1966 Program: Sports Cars in Review

Funny, in the late ‘60s car buffs were bragging about achieving 400hp under the hood. These guys were already doing it in the late ‘30s. I’m guessing WWII and the Korean war slowed up progress

From From the Simeone Foundation: A Peter Helck Sketch of Two Vanderbilt Cup Race Winners

Tom - A favorite 1931 Queens shot, entrance to Mt. Hebron cemetery at Horace Harding Expwy looking east. This road remains today the busiest thoroughfare connecting Queens and Nassau. In 1926, Rodman St (Strongs Causeway) was only one of 3 roads crossing Queens through the Flushing Creek’d ash dump, now Flushing Meadow Park, The other two were Northern Blvd far north, and Union Tpke further south. In 1939, an overpass was put here (for the World’s Fair) allowing Rodman to go under Nassau Blvd (Horace Harding Blvd). Now the LIExpwy, Rodman is permanently severed and the only way across now is through College Point Blvd. It’s still jam packed with cars today on the LIE. Photos can be found here.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/view/search?search=SUBMIT&q=rodman+street&dateRangeStart;=&dateRangeEnd;=&QuickSearchA=QuickSearchA

From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

1924 aerial of Nassau Blvd and Rodman Street
http://maps.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/?z=8&p=1030005,210470&c=GIS1924&s=a:130-06,60+AVENUE,QUEENS

From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

I believe the 2-17-31 shot corresponds to this view today.
https://goo.gl/maps/ds2biATv7ut

From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives