Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thank you, Sam III. Had a hunch you may have known of him. Quite glad that Les, Ron Ridolph and others took the time to snap photos, document the LIMP and other interesting Long Island history.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

Oh, hey!  I only just now noticed the control cabin perched above and beyond the bridge in the second “new” photo.  See how it faces the camera, along the RoW, not down towards the bridge or back towards the bunker.  Wonder what purpose it serves?  More fodder for the day when the Bromans (hopefully) open up to us.  This thread is such fun!  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

As I recall, Les was an antique auto collector and historian.  I found nothing on line except this NYT obit, after Newsday: “CUTTING-Lester of Huntington on July 8, 2004. Owner of Les Cutting Auto Parts”.  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

Way to go Howard - road racers aren’t afraid of a little rain!
(Yes, I know the Beast ran @ Indy, too.)—Ernie :>)

From The Alco Black Beast Roars at the Malba Field & Marine Classic Car Show in Queens

- Location , Nesconset and Ronkonkoma with the LIMP at the top of the photo (from west of Terry Rd to the Petit Trianon area in Lake Ronkonkoma)
- Structures, the Ronkonkoma Lodge, Petit Trianon, annex, and remnants
- The original 891 acres was owned by Charles Wright.  The LIMP purchased the property in 1907.  The LIMP originally planned to build a “Ronkonkoma Motor Speedway” on the property south of the parkway.  The plan for the speedway never developed and the property was then sold to Walter Shirley in 1937.  Shirley then developed the area with housing.

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Well, it’s better off that the abutments aren’t supporting a tremendous amount of weight. Sand Company just made them part of the structure, etc.

Was Lester Cutting a local historical photographer? I see his name/images on some LI history websites.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

My slide show has a view of a dump truck being loaded—taken in 1969-70, with all the safety slogans on it.  This is a very nice up-t0-date picture, though.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

Good point Denis, and great research and photos Sam. Bridge does look standing on its own, only supporting minor objects and semi-sheltering two tanks underneath. Appears there was never an attempt to remove it, too much trouble. They simply continue to work around it, just another obstacle to maneuver around in the busy yard. Thanks to all for these updates.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

The Ronkonkoma area wth the LIMP running from the curve at left to Rosevale Avenue
at top right with a portion of the lake visible at far right.
Terry Road and Old Nichols Road running vertically intersecting each other just north of the LIMP,  Terry Road running south and ending at Johnson Avenue and the LIRR running
horizontally across the bottom.
The largest portion of this property was owned by Charles Wright, and an original plan was to construct a speedway in this area but it never materialized.  Walter Shirley later acquired the property which he subdivided and sold as lots.

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

My Grandfather was the mechanic and grounds keeper for Wallis. I have a copy of the auction that lists all the vehicles if anyone is interested-SK

From Mystery Foto #74 Solved: The C.K.G. Billings "Farnesworth" Garage in Locust Valley

Whoa, Nellie!  I made my comment BEFORE any others were posted.  I must refer you folks to my segment on the 110 Sand and Gravel artefact, <http://sbiii.com/limpbrdg.html#sandpits> (just updated), whereon I show definitively that the sand bunker is NOT sitting on the LIMP bridge!  It stands on is own four columns immediately WSW of the bridge.  The second of Les Cutting’s 1972 photos show this most clearly.  The only weight the abutments carry is that of the two old girders, some piping and, possibly, a small conveyor.  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

I agree Frank. The dump truck displays just how massive the abutments are as well. No wonder why they can support all that weight.

I’ve frequented work zones similar to here while on the job. LOTS of action, all have to keep their ears and eyes open.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

Great updated shots! The truck below clearly reveals how wide was the passing underneath. Still too tight for public use at 40mph, but much wider than I had expected. Thank you for sharing these gems.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

It’s the eastern terminus with the LIMP RoW at the top and Old Nicholls Road at upper left crossing Terry Road down the middle and the toll structure, Petit Trianon, the dormitory, and a tiny smitch of Lake Ronkonkoma at the far upper right.  The land north of the LIMP was owned by the Parkway, to be used as an auto race course and test track (which never came to fruition).  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

I tried for so long and so hard to get permission from 110 and finally just gave up.  Long time comin’!  Hurrah!  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

Wondering why the bridge still stands. Does it actually support any of that equipment? The wording of the story: do you mean that bridge or the one in OBVR might need to come down in 10 years?

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County

We are looking at an area over Ronkonkoma just slightly west of Lake Ronkonkoma, with north being at the top of the photo. I think I can see a very small piece of the lake in the upper right corner. The LIMP structures would be the Ronkonkoma Lodge, Petit Trianon, and the Trianon Annex. Willie K. II owned the major portion of the property in the top half of the photo through the Long Island Motor Parkway Company and had early plans to build a three loop closed course motor speedway there.

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Side note about William Sulzer - soon after taking office he was impeached!

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Identify the location shown in the aerial.  Lake Ronkonkoma area

Identify the Motor Parkway structure(s).  Ronkonkoma Lodge, Petit Trianon, Trianon Annex

Who owned the majority of the property in the top half of the aerial? What were the earlier plans for this property? 
Willie K. 
Original plans called for an automobile race track and grand stands and based on a 1907 newspaper article, golf courses and garages.  A few years later it was proposed to make the Ronkonkoma Vanderbilt land into a NY State Park with a $10,000 appropriate, but the motion was vetoed by then Governor William Sulzer.  Again a newspaper article reported that Willie K. was in favor. 

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Lake Ronkonkoma peeks out at the far left of this picture, at the eastern end of the LIMP.  The Petit Trion restaurant can be seen, along with the toll collecting station at the eastern end.

From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway