Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi guys. I’m sure glad to happen upon “The Queens Library Digital Collection” website. In addition to LIMP images, there’s a whole slew of other collections as well. Take a look through the site, you won’t be disappointed.

On the closer view of the overpass, you’ll see the 1 tree on the N/S of the bridge to the left. Then view further south or S/E. There’s the “V” opening high in the tree tops. I’m thinking that’s the ROW of the Stewart RR? The photographer is on the N/S of the bridge. Maybe standing on the E/S of Bell Blvd? I’m guessing Bell Blvd. is not seen because of the angle of the overpass?

The image describes as the proposed extension of Bell Blvd. Perhaps it should’ve been described as the proposed widening? The 1941 aerial displays Bell Blvd. running north and south. I viewed a 1928 street map also displaying Bell Blvd well established. Really need to explore this area again.  Brian

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Happy birthday! Awesome site Howard. You do a great job with this. Love the LI historical content.

From Happy 10th Anniversary VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

I read the blog now and then. Thanks so much. You’re awesome!

From Happy 10th Anniversary VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

Didn’t have the time again for research, so I’m going with (probably wrong) guesses here since this bridge didn’t seem like it really matches any one of the 3 Nassau/Suffolk steel truss railroad bridges.

What is the location of this Motor Parkway bridge? Provide a rationale.
Oyster Bay LIRR Bridge in Williston Park

When was this bridge built?
1909

When was the bridge first used as part of the Long Island Motor Parkway?
1909

When was this photo taken?
unknown

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

The photo is of the old LIMP bridge over the old ROW of the Stewart/LIRR Central Branch (future Bell Blvd).  The bridge was constructed in 1925 for the new section of the LIMP. The bridge was used up until the closing of the parkway in 1938 and then used as a bike path before being taken down.  A new bridge over Bell Blvd was then constructed and the ROW was made straight for the new section of the bike path.
The photo was taken 0n 11-15-44

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

The steel bridge over the Central Railroad right of way near Bell Blvd. in Queens
built about 1925. Photo taken in 1928.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Fantastic photo of a never-seen-before LIMP bridge. This steel girder bridge (RR?) could be carrying the original-diverted LIMP over the old Central RR (Stewart Rd) in Alley Pond Park, where Bell Blvd passes underneath today. The heavy foliage in the background looks like a park setting, and the supplementary photo (looking south) reveals the same right curve of the CRR RoW.

Continued construction of the LIMP westward from the Rocky Hill Rd terminus (Springfield Blvd) began around 1924, so this bridge was built shortly after, around 1925. Attached is a 1925 blueprint of this bridge revealing similar girder and railing. 

Guessing the bridge was used between 1925-1938, then removed after the parkway was officially closed. After re-opening shortly after as a pedestrian/bicycle greenway, the present day bridge over Bell Blvd was constructed to allow a straighter path for the greenway.

Photo was taken sometime before 1938.

The original curved diversion for the Motor Parkway included plans to re-use abandoned abutments of the former CRR to save on construction costs. 

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Enjoyed indeed! Thanks for all the historic education and fun right in our own backyard. Where did all the time go?
Frank

From Happy 10th Anniversary VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

Long shot on this one as I’m stumped.
How about the Motor Parkway bridge over the Central RR ROW in Queens.  Bridge first used by the Motor Parkway in 1925 but the railroad had originally planned to have a bridge there in the 1800s.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Quite neat!  Plus we’ve been to the Simeone Foundation - it is an amazing collection.  And as should be obvious, most of the cars there do run and come out to the ‘yard’ to play!

From Mystery Foto #8 Partially Solved:A Humidor Vanderbilia from the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

Based on the steel hand-rails or guard-rails that are visible, this could be the Creedmoor footbridge over the LIMP. I think it’s the only trestle style bridge that had railings. I think it was built in 1912 so it was probably used shortly thereafter. Just on a guess, I’ll date the photo around 1938 about the time of the LIMP’s closing.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Congratulations on a wonderful 10 year run. I can’t believe it’s been that long. It seems like only a year or two since the group was sitting around the table at the Bonwit Inn. Keep up the great work that you do. I know everyone enjoys and appreciates it.

From Happy 10th Anniversary VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

This is absolutely wonderful.  What an artist.  I’d seen these advertisements and admired them, but didn’t know anything about the artist.  Thank you for sharing this, Howard.

From Helck Family Collection:Original Illustration by the "Vermeer" of Automobile Advertising-Earle Teale

Tim Helck:

I really like this week’s posting about the artist Teale. Some of my grandfather’s advertisements from the 1920’s resemble Teale’s.

From Helck Family Collection:Original Illustration by the "Vermeer" of Automobile Advertising-Earle Teale

In the linked 02 Aug 2016 blog, Al V. tells about the 1927 orange digits on a blue background and how two #25 plates had these reversed.  One of my many missing images is of a 1927 #25 plate.  Does anyone out there have a 1927 image they’d share, please?  Sam, III
________________________________________
Howard Kroplick I

Here is a link to one 1927 Motor Parkway license plates:

http://porcelainplates.net/LIMP_census.html

From Updated: My Long Island Motor Parkway License Plate Collection (11/7/2025)

Chrysler aficionadoes of the world - UNITE!  Contrary to Roy’s comment, my (and my father’s) three ‘49 and two ‘50 Chrysler 8s all had padded dashboards!  “Style and flair” - you betcha; long and lean!  The only thing compact about ‘em held my mother’s face powder.  Sam, III

From Video of the Week: Henry Ford's Innovation Nation: Historic Automobiles at the Henry Ford Museum

The collection has one of my dream cars. The 1955 Chevy gray/pink two-tone. I was seven years old in 1955, and my third grade teacher got one in 1956. Of course, cars in the 50s were death traps; wrap around windshields, hard steering wheels, no seatbelts, no padded dashes, and high-compression engines. But one can’t have everything. At least they had style and flair.

From Video of the Week: Henry Ford's Innovation Nation: Historic Automobiles at the Henry Ford Museum

If you are ever in Michigan, plan to visit the Henry Ford Museum, it is not to be missed. The museum has something for everyone.

From Video of the Week: Henry Ford's Innovation Nation: Historic Automobiles at the Henry Ford Museum

I am completely clueless . Can’t wait to find out!

From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

For the most part White was out of the automobile manufacturing business by the end of WWI. They built a few cars for large stock holders after 1920. A friend in Colorado had Mr. Whites 1915 roadster which was a special order. Yellowstone Park had several White touring cars in its original fleet that were destroyed in a garage fire. White was no longer tooled up to build cars so the contract for 7 passenger touring cars went to Lincoln. White bus models were made up to 1937 for the National Parks. The gas powered cars built from 1911 to 1918 used engine design rights bought from Delahaye of France.

From Helck Family Collection:Original Illustration by the "Vermeer" of Automobile Advertising-Earle Teale