Vanderbilt Cup Races

Tucker still continues to fascinate—keep up the good work.

Ken Harris

From Book "Motor City Barn Finds": Obsession with a Barn-Find Tucker

Thanks Howard, a very interesting story about an amazing automobile. We are fortunate to have a Tucker here on Long Island. Thanks for sharing your car and it history with the rest of us.

From Book "Motor City Barn Finds": Obsession with a Barn-Find Tucker

Answer to Bonus Question - the biplane in flight can be seen in the third photo, to the right of the polo fields in the upper right hand corner above the trees.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

It was the exploration of this exact area that caused myself and my son Gram to stop our own weekend walks on the Motorway back nearly seven years ago. The protection service of the sandpits were horrific in their guarded behavior when we asked if we could take an escorted walk on the grounds. Their usage of the abutment is likely in violation of safety regulations. Oh well. At least it assures it’s continued existence for now. Kudos to The intrepid new father/son duo for recoding this invaluable trace of the road we all love!

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Just realized the photo is from an online collection so my prior answer may be incorrect.  Further research warranted.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

Location of the aerial and the photographer’s orientation:  Mitchell Field looking north

The Long Island Motor Parkway bridges and structures: Roosevelt Field bridge, Merrick Ave. bridge, Meadowbrook Lodge

Other historic properties that can be seen in the aerial: Meadowbrook Club/Int. Polo Fields, Salisbury Train Station, Salisbury Links

The estimated year of the aerial. Provide a rationale.: 1933 - no concrete runways, checkerboard roofs of hangers

The name of the digital collection and its university location: I’ll go with the Edith Hay Wykoff Collection/LI Estates & Historical Photo Collection which is housed at Hofstra’s LI Studies.  Even if this is incorrect, its on my activity list to visit.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

Looking NE at NE corner of Mitchel Field ca. 1939-1945 {?} at Ellison Avenue and Meadowbrook (Post Ave.) bridges.  Meadowbrook Lodge.  Mitchell hangars still standing.  Biplane flying NW just E of NE corner of polo {?} field (YAY!).  I’ll trade that for collection (LI Studies at Hofstra?).  Ol’ Eagle Eye - a.k.a. Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

Les’s and Ron’s old pix and more are on my old LIMP Bridges page at <http://sbiii.com/limpbrdg.html#sandpits>.  Other than a certain un-named father-son team getting in there (no comments on how), don’t we have any intrepid chopper or drone pilots to overfly and document further to the team’s dying-camera work?  I concur that the wrongly-curved paving is not LIMP.  Now that Sears is dying or dead, that warehouse (now Summit Discount?) on Bethpage-Spagnoli may be accessible again; you can see the bridge clearly from the roof, as I did ca. 1995 with a scope - unfortunately, I did NOT have a telephoto lens with me at the time.  Mayhap another of the buildings there might offer a view.  With a REALLY big scope or telephoto you should also be able to see it from the LILCO/LIPA ridge south of B-S.  Sam, III

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

The book “McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Vol. 1,” by Rene Francillon states that two Douglas Dolphin Amphibions Model 119 were purchased by Alfred Vanderbilt II and Wm. K. Vanderbilt II, and operated from the ALVA. I don’t have the book, but that explains the Dolphin in the photo. Some tender!

From One of Yachting's Dozen: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Alva

As I recall the Sandpit was (is) owned by Picone Family (cinder blocks) and was accessible from old 110 (Broad Hollow Rd).  Back in the day, as is sometimes said, the sandpit was used as a gun range on weekends, circa 1954, or thereabouts.
Presently, as I also recall, they also now have a sandpit on the East side of 110 South of Ruland Road at the Huntington/Babylon Town line, (formerly part of St Rose Industrial Home for Girls) as easily seen from a Google satellite map.
As to other access points to LIMP in the general area, there is one behind a private residence on Colonial Springs Rd (in the mid 1940s the house was even then quite an old building)

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Is the bridge going over Commack Road now unused a bridge from the Motor Parkway?
_______________________________________________

Howard Kroplick:
Tom, not sure which bridge that you are referring to. There is no bridge at Commack Road and the Motor Parkway.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Anonymous Father/Son….I’m just going to regard you as “The Dynamic Duo”.

If you or anyone hasn’t already, take a look back on the 1/21/2015 blog here ( LIMP Bridge Series #53 Clody Farmway Bridge ). This bridge and the LIMP is clearly seen on the 1930 & 1950 aerials. Yes, there is a short straightaway west of this bridge before the parkway curves north; and then eventually west. The short straightaway isn’t a true west direction, more like a SOUTHWEST. These aerials are the next best proof besides being on Terra Firma. Looking at the 2017 pavement image, I notice the transmission tower in the distance ( left of the “Sand Pyramid” ). That’s the tower line SOUTH of this photo’s location.

Batman & Robin were here with snow on the ground! That’s dedication with a capital D!

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Frank—yes let the discussion begin!——my initial thought was to agree with you. This can’t be LIMP pavement. This must be some sort of “path” they built to help them transport / wheel supplies from one spot to another, BUT look at this pavement. This is clearly not something new that was done. This is quite old. This is not a five and dime construction site. If they were going to need a path for their purposes, they would make one a lot better then this. They would have updated this if they needed to. It doesn’t cost that much to make a nice/new path like this.

And why do you say the lower end of the strip resembles LIMP?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Howard or Al: was the bridge writing original? I doubt it but If not do you know what year it was added? Do you think there was any writing on the western abutments? Or were they only writing on the eastern ones here because of the upcoming curve? Was there writing on most bridges?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Father/Son - nice work!  What’s next?

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Mitchell Field.  Early.  Before they paved the runways.  And the planes seem like old bi-planes.  The Roosevelt Field Motor Parkway Bridge, the Merrick Ave Bridge, and the Meadowbrook Lodge are all there to see. 
-joe

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

-Location of the aerial and the photogrpher’s orientation

Looking North directly over Mitchel Field.

-The Long Island Motor Parkway bridges and structures

Roosevelt Field Bridge, Meadowbrook lodge, Merrick Ave bridge

-Other historic properties that can be seen in the aerial

Mitchel Field, N & S Meadowbrook Polo fields, Meadowbrook Golf Club

-The estimated year of the aerial. Provide a rationale.

1927ish-Concrete runways not present at Mitchel, LIMP operational, no Roosevelt racetrack

-The name of the digital collection and its university location

Unknown-still looking

-Bonus: Where is the flying biplane in the aerial?

Biplane and it’s shadow are in the foreground over Mitchel’s runway

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: 1932 Aerial of the Meadow Brook Hunt Club from the SMU Ritchie Collection

Clody still stands! Thanks to all the daredevil photographers over the decades for recording its existence and condition. Isn’t Suffolk’s Smith farmway bridge on Maxess Rd still standing as well, or was it totally removed? I remember builders were chipping away at it in 2016. 

In Clody’s already abrasive environment, the signage on the NE abutment (Don’t Pass Cars on Bridges and Curves) always seems more faded (slightly) than its sister in the SE. This could be due to more sun exposure.

The curved pavement cannot be Motor Parkway. The westward roadway did curve to the right towards the north, not left. I super zoomed into the pavement using ‘Paint’ and determined it was crudely laid out in small sections, but the lower end of the strip does resemble LIMP pavement. Could’ve been laid out for sandpit vehicles avoiding muddy areas. Time for a debate!

How the heck does anyone get into this place without being seen/caught?! Truly daredevils!
_________________________________________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Frank, the Maxess Road abutments are still standing. However, the top of the bridge and girders have been long gone.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Bucket list item. Had to be done. What an amazing LIMP remnant.

Of the remaining bridges how is it possible that this writing on the abutments remains on this one? True it’s not exposed to vandals or graffiti but it is in a very busy construction location and as you can see the bridge is actually USED for STRUCTURAL purposes after 118 years - which is probably why they wont allow anyone in here to see this as I’m sure this is not the most “code compliant” situation, but it’s so cool this is still here.

Does anyone know what year that writing was done? When you compare the 1981 photos to 2017 the southeast abutment “PLEASE BE CAREFUL” has aged very well. The other side has worn out much worse but it’s awesome so see it still there.

Regarding the possible LIMP pavement on the west side of the bridge: According to Wayne’s map when going under the bridge heading west you have a straightaway that is followed by a relatively sharp turn to the NORTH. Our picture clearly shows this possible pavement curving to the SOUTH, and not at all far away from the bridge. I don’t know. Could be another example of “you can’t argue with physical, visible remnants!” But again, knowing what this site is used for now and the fact that 118 years later the original pavement exists? If it’s not the pavement what the heck could it be?? A possible path to take materials on a wheeled cart or something? But why does it look just like LIMP pavement? It’s not some new path these guys built that’s for sure.

Wish we took more pics. Camera was at 80% upon arrival, but after the trek in and the brutal cold the phone went down to literally 1% and I was sure I was going to lose the photos but thankfully they survived but it was a stressful ordeal for sure. You definitely have that “I better get the **** outta here” feeling the whole time you are there!

What a great remnant. Nothing else like it. Amazing to see it.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Great coverage, Dad & Son! I personally never been at this location, and heard how hard it is exploring around here. No problem for you trailblazers!

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits