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.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Thought the buildings on the N & S sides of the LIMP were affiliated with the Wheeler Farm. Sidney and his family had nice living arrangements. Wheeler bridge #1 wasn’t filled in back then. It served as a convenient way to traverse between their home & garage.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
The photo is taken facing east/southeast over Alley Pond Park and Creedmoor.
Major Roads
Grand Central Parkway, Cross Island Parkway, Utopia Parkway, Winchester Blvd., Rocky Hill Rd (Springfield Blvd,), Hillside Ave 25B, Commonwealth Blvd., Little Neck Parkway. LIMP
LIMP - Rocky Hill Rd bridge, Rocky Hill Rd Toll Lodge, Wheeler Farmway bridge, Winchester Blvd. (Alley Rd) bridge , Commonwealth Blvd. Bridge, and Little Neck Parkway bridge.
The photo was taken on March 7, 1940 just after the close of the LIMP as observed in the photo. The Grand Central and Cross Island Parkways were still under construction. The parkways were completed at the end of 1940.
The website from were the photo was posted is NYC.GOV/records. The photo is also posted on Facebook “Old images of Queens and Nassau”.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Just recovering from surgery and complications and still too groggy to think clearly BUT - bet that’s looking NNW over the still-surviving Brentwood track and ball field at today’s LIU Brentwood campus. I could always cheat of look up that “dead -giveaway” transverse toll gate, which would then seem to be at Wicks Road - ??? Uh, oh. Better pack this in. Sam, II
______________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Sam, here’s to a quick recovery!
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Just one more rape of our heritage, another “monumental act of vandalism”. And, now that it’s gone, we can rend our garments, gnash our teeth, and moan. But it does give me an idea for another LIMPPS project (for someone else to mastermind)! How about doing a photo inventory of all known remaining VCR and LIMP background houses? If done by each PS member who lives in a given area, it wouldn’t be all that burdensome and some noted LI historian just MIGHT put it all together on-line. It could even generate more Mystery Fotos! Sam, III
______________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Sam, here is the starting point as posted in 2011:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/sunday_february_13_2011_then_now_extant_structures_on_the_vanderbilt_cup_ra
From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury
Howard, The “golfway” bridge” was originally built as a farmway bridge. In 1908 the Parkway acquired 50 plus acres in the vicinity from Titus. The tract purchased extended eastward from the Parkway to Glen Cove Rd. The sale contained two conditions. Titus also owned the property west of the Parkway r.o.w. In order for Titus to continue to have access to Glen Cove Rd. the Parkway were obligated to build a bridge over the r.o.w. The second condition was that Titus retained the right to a 33 feet wide strip of land from the bridge to Glen Cove Rd. When the golf course was built the bridge then became a golfway bridge. The covenent regarding the 33 feet wide strip became a moot point when the golf club acquired both properties. Al.
_______________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Thanks Al. I agree.
From A New Motor Parkway Historic Marker Installed at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston
Well, well, what do you know! I pre-empted myself. This is what happens when you’re in your eighty-fifth year.
From Chrysler's Chrysler Then & Now: Pre-& Post-Restoration
View south east from Alley Pond Park,Winchester Blvd crossing Cross Island Parkway that appears almost completed which dates this photo about 1940, in view is Union Turnpike and Motor Parkway crossing under Grand Central Parkway, Creedmore Hospital in view, this looks like Fairchild Aerial Survey the 7th down is the Cross Island Parkway Grand Central Parkway interchange,4th down is view North to Grand Central Parkway with Motor Parkway crossing under 5th down shows Union Turnpike crossing Motor Parkway and Grand Central Parkway and is view south, the top 3 down are Little Neck Parkway crossing under Motor Parkway toll house?
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Thank you Howard for sharing this on your wonderful site. You are an inspiration to us to always look forward while keeping an eye on our past. Rita and Jerry JeRita [like Brangelina only better]
From Rita and Jerry Trapani Honored as Recipients of The 2017 Gil Bergen Preservationist Award
Identify the location and orientation: Alley Pond Park in Queens, looking southeast
Identify the major roads: LIMP, Winchestser, Grand Central Pkwy., Cross Island Pkwy., Union Turnpike, Springfield Blvd. 73rd. Ave., 76th Ave., Rocky Hill Rd.
Identify the Motor Parkway structures and buildings: Rocky Hill Rd. Bridge and Lodge, Creedmore Bridge, probably others.
What is the approximate date of the Mystery Foto. Provide a rationale. March 7, 1940. Completion of Cross Island Parkway around that time and caption in photo sent to Howard.
Bonus: Provide the Internet link to this aerial.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1437298~143832:dpr_18286?qvq=q:alley&mi=36&trs=126
And one more taken in January - showing snow on ground.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1436940~143795:dpr_18179?qvq=q:alley&mi=8&trs=126
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Howard: Great job getting the marker for the golf course. Also nice photo by Bob Valentine. Good job. Artie.
_________________________________________
Artie, It was all the effort of the Wheatley Hills Golf Club. I just assisted with the copy.
From A New Motor Parkway Historic Marker Installed at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston
Enjoyed this and the video too..
From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury
Howard, that’s great news!
Thanks,
Ron
From Vanderbilt Cup Races & the Alco Black Beast To Be Highlighted on Tonight's "Car vs America"
Congratulations to my friends Rita & Jerry Trapani.
Fred Miceli
A Former President Long Island Dreamboats Cadillac & LaSalle Car Club.
From Rita and Jerry Trapani Honored as Recipients of The 2017 Gil Bergen Preservationist Award
The photo is looking east from Queens into Nassau County .Rocky Hill Toll House on right Union Turnpike in the middle. The motor parkway snaking its way towards Nassau County over the newly constructed GCP and CIP interchange.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
It’s a shame that most Long Islanders can’t get these broadcasts (courtesy of Altice).
_________________________________
Howard Kroplick
It will soon be posted online.
From Vanderbilt Cup Races & the Alco Black Beast To Be Highlighted on Tonight's "Car vs America"
We’re looking southeast over Alley Pond Park in eastern Queens County out to Nassau County. The major roads are Springfield Blvd., Union Tpke., Grand Central Pkwy., Cross Island Pkwy. (still under construction), and the recently closed LIMP. We can see LIMP bridges over Rocky Hill Road (Springfield Blvd.), Winchester Blvd., Commonwealth Blvd., Little Neck Pkwy., and under the GCP bridge over the LIMP. I think the Wheeler farmway bridge is there also. The Rocky Hill Road toll lodge (kiosk) is also visible. The date of the photo is definitely March 7, 1940 since I was able to track down the actual image on the http://www.nyc.gov/records website in the DPR: Parks and Recreation collection of photos image number dpt_18286.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Do we dare ask what will appear in its place? History is one thing money can’t buy.
_____________________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Like many older properties in the area, this is likely a tear-down to be replaced by a brand new house.
#1 Wheatley was over 110 years old….. I’ll miss it!
From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury
Great Image, Frank! Nice find.
ID Location/Orientation: Birds Eye View of Oakland Gardens & Glen Oaks, Queens. View is East.
ID Major Rds.: From west to east…LIMP, Springfield Blvd, Union Tpke, Cross Island & Grand Central Pkwys, Winchester & Commonwealth Blvds, Little Neck Pkwy.
ID LIMP structures&buildings;: From west to east…Pkwy bridge ( Springfield ), Rocky Hill Toll Booth, Wheeler bridge #1 ( Fairly sure I see an opening/underpass on the N/S of the LIMP, just E/O the House; that’s E/O the Toll Booth in an enlarged view ), Wheeler bridge #2 ( See a path north & south of the LIMP, between Grand Central & Winchester; in an enlarged view ), Pkwy bridge ( Winchester ), Creedmoor Hwy bridge ( Looks to be a “white” overpass N/O Union Tpke, between Winchester & Commonwealth Blvds; in an enlarged view ), Pkwy bridge ( Commonwealth ), Pkwy bridge ( Little Neck ), and Creedmoor Facility ( S/O Union Tpke ).
Aerial Date/Rationale: The Rocky Hill Toll Booth was removed within 3 yrs of LIMP closing. So I’ll guess 1940.
Internet Link: Perhaps Frank found this image a “www1.nyc.gov”. I didn’t explore this site, yet. But it’s bookmarked.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Looking southeast in Queens from Union Tpke left to right across bottom; Winchester Blvd bottom to top; Alley Pond Park lower left; Rocky Hill Road entrance to Motor Parkway at bottom; and Creedmoor Pyschiatric Hospital and Grand Central Parkway at top right.
Photo from NYC archives about 1930.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
-Identify the location and orientation
Alley Pond Park, View Southeast, With Recreation Area on Springfield Boulevard in Foreground
-Identify the major roads
Union Tpke, Springfield Blvd/Rocky Hill Rd., Grand Central Pkwy
-Identify the Motor Parkway structures and buildings
Amazing view of the Rocky Hill Rd lodge/entrance! Zooming in far enough, brings in almost every LIMP structure (still standing up to March 7th, 1940) to the Little Neck Pkwy Bridge.
-What is the approximate date of the Mystery Foto. Provide a rationale.
March 7th, 1940 -Union Tpke expansion, GCP both completed
-Bonus: Provide the Internet link to this aerial.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1437298~143832:dpr_18286?qvq=q:Alley+Park&mi=28&trs=33
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House
Page 587 of 1021 pages ‹ First < 585 586 587 588 589 > Last ›