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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.
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Recent Comments
It also looks like there is a small section of the old toll lodge on the side of the building
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
I believe the Old Bethpage Bridge is in back of the Old Bethpage Village property. I was part of the cleanup committee with the Long Island Model A Ford Club a couple of years ago that cleared all the debris and overgrowth on top of the bridge. It’s still looking good. Amazing that it still exists and I hope it will continue to be preserved.
Rog
From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage
Here are my answers to the added additional question for this week’s the unique mystery Foto
1st - there’s woman standing in the lot in front of the station
2nd - the orange crush sign in front of the building?
3rd - someone standing on the 4th gas pump from the left
4th - the hidden automobile behind the “Austin’s Park Socony” sign and fence. There also appears to be a bicycle or motorcycle in front of the automobile.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
I dunno about Louis; not with THAT brush. Every photo I can find of him (dozens) shows a consistently bushier, shorter-width mustache. Not likely to be brothers Gaston or Arthur either for the same reason. Sam, III
From Updated (11/3/17): The Course for the Long Island Automobile Club's 1902 100-Mile Endurance Test
The car is a Mors, the hood, 1902?, model ?
From Updated (11/3/17): The Course for the Long Island Automobile Club's 1902 100-Mile Endurance Test
Closest I’ve ever got to the Old Bethpage bridge was at the back gate on Sweet Hollow Rd and Claremont St. (location of the former LIMP bridge). Dripping wet from cycling during a previous downpour, I explained to the young gate attendant that I just wanted to see the bridge that was nearby (~900 feet east). She wouldn’t let me in. So I rode back home to Valley Stream dripping wet. The saga continues.
From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage
Amazing finds Howard, I wouldn’t know where to begin.
It really looks like Louis Chevrolet and A.R. Pardington in the front seats! I would bet my train collection on that assumption.
FANTASTIC Roslyn clock tower photo, as it still stands today! The house to the left (east) of the tower still stands as well, at least the east half of it. The west half was converted into a larger structure accommodating the theatre today.
The house on the right of tower still stands intact as well with some modifications over the years.
This village preserves its integrity that one can feel passing through it.
Wish more LI villages were like this.
______________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Frank, Great eye! A.R. Pardington is definitely the passenger. He was a member of the L.I.A.C. racing committee.
And that may be Louis Chevrolet! In 1900 Chevrolet immigrated to Montreal to ply his skills in the North American automobile industry. After a stint as a chauffeur, he moved to New York to work for de Dion. By 1902 he began working at New York Fiat importer Hollander and Tangeman and may have been hired out for the inspection of the course.
From Updated (11/3/17): The Course for the Long Island Automobile Club's 1902 100-Mile Endurance Test
I searched the “NYS Historic Newspapers” website for Lou W Austin ( embossed on sign in front). Although I bookmarked the few “interesting” articles concerning him, not so sure about submitting them here. 1926 was a rough year for him. In July 1946, he and his wife moved to Maine.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
Identify the exact location and date of the Mystery Foto. 1924, southside intersection of the Motor Parkway and Commack Road.
Who was the owner of the gas station and what was his relationship with the Motor Parkway? Lou W. Austin owned the gas station and “hot dog stand” (see documentation) which he built after the toll lodge on the northern side was opened. Austin was the original toll keeper at Brentwood location.
What was located on this site before and after this gas station? The site before the gas station was the site of the original Brentwood toll booth (e.g., not lodge) afterwards eventually became the Bonwit Inn Restaurant.
Can you spot other things in this photo that may be of interest? Gas, water or air pumps, signs which I can’t make out
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
What an adventure!! So glad you documented the LIMP, 2017!
Ann
From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage
Hope all are enjoying this mystery!
On the 3rd closeup ( right corner of station, with fuel pump ); there looks to be an octagonal structure that’s may be attached to the station. It appears that about 1/3 of this structure was removed, or just out of sight ( where it looks to be connected to the station building. ) Could this be the kiosk that was previously located at Washington Ave/LIMP? I know this location was the kiosk’s 2nd and final home. The only differences is it’s no longer painted white, and the windows may have been replaced.
The 3rd “Brentwood Lodge Designation” was at the opposite corner of this intersection ( southeast ). An entirely new structure was built there.
The 4th “Brentwood Lodge Designation” was at the intersection of Harned Rd/LIMP. This was also a entirely new structure.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
Like the article especially the course going thru my neighborhood of Oyster Bay, In the Course Description describing whose is in the car, the photo taken by W.B. Fullerton, should it be H.B. Fullerton? Had done work for L.I.R.R.? Also the chauffeur look to be Louis Chevrolet, is it possible??
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Howard Kroplick
Mark, good catch!
From Updated (11/3/17): The Course for the Long Island Automobile Club's 1902 100-Mile Endurance Test
Once again playing “I am SOOO old”, I remember my mother taking me out to Shirley (by LIRR steamer) in early 1945, thence by cab to Matic Acres to look at beachfront property, just ravaged by a hurricane. I remember an endless expanse of cleared scrub land with curbs and fire hydrants everywhere. Sure ain’t like that no mo’! As to “the New York state legislature banned racing anywhere but on a dedicated race track”, how does one then account for the post-war Watkins Glen races, very much on local roads to 1956? Payola? Sam, III
From Hemmings: Ronkonkoma: the never-was speedway that could have brought Indianapolis-scale racing to LI
This is one of the best such posts yet; love it! I’m just old enough to remember riding most of these roads pre-WWII, when the area was still largely bucolic. Some still is. O. K., Frank F., I’d appreciate one of your masterful modern-day overlays, please; I did get a wee bit off course (deliberate pun) here and there.. Keep ‘em coming, Howard! Sam, III
From Updated (11/3/17): The Course for the Long Island Automobile Club's 1902 100-Mile Endurance Test
Intriguing. As someone who grew up in Lake Ronkonkoma, this is brand new to me. One can only imagine how different the area would have developed had the project come to fruition. Thanks for the detective work.
From Hemmings: Ronkonkoma: the never-was speedway that could have brought Indianapolis-scale racing to LI
This photo contains a caption that solves the mystery. I eagerly read it unwittingly disqualifying myself. Without the caption I don’t believe I would’ve solved it. Good luck to all on this tough mystery.
Hint: This must be somewhere in Suffolk where the Motor Parkway was not bounded by posts or fencing
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
This photo dates from around 1924 and shows Lewis Austin’s gas & oil station (he probably did repairs as well) on the north side of the LIMP slightly east of Commack Road. Prior to this it had been the second site of the Brentwood Lodge, which actually had been the ticket booth / shanty that was moved from Washington Avenue with Austin as toll collector. Years later the Bonwit Inn would occupy this site. The building has the look of a diner so it could be one of the first “drive-in” burger joints. I also see telephone poles which are unusual for the LIMP right-of-way.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
I realize this is not uncharted territory for LIMP lovers but the LIMP from Round Swamp Rd through Battle Row is really cool. And many people think that once you reach the campground that is the end of the pavement, not true! The pavement continues underneath the thickets all the way to Spagnoli where the bridge was. There are many posts along this stretch as well. Several way down on both sides of the bridge near Round Swamp - further away then they typically are.
The Bethpage bridge is wonderful. We hopped the fence because the farm people at the gates can sometimes talk forever! When you go to this bridge you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere and nobody is around and it’s probably very much like 1910 in that regard, minus the giant sand pit to your east. Hopefully this bridge will enjoy landmark status one day, like its 1 year older brother bridge in New Hyde Park.
More interesting things to follow as we head further east…...stay tuned. I miss the LIMP discussions and discoveries. Did anyone ever move into that house in Garden City??? Mayan Ruins?? We never went digging!
Chris—-I dont think there is an attorney alive capable of writing an adequate enough waiver for you to sign to protect Sammy and I from a law suit!!
From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage
Nice tour guys. The underside of bridge is looking good for 107. That last clean up made such a difference.
From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage
Northeast corner Commack Road and LIMP in 1924.
Lou Austin (his name on sign, top of pole)
He ran the Brentwood Lodge of the LIMP there.
The lodge moved to the other side of the road, so he built the Socony station there.
Currently it is the Bonwit Inn location.
The right side porch has what appears to be a 55 gal. Drum and hand pump….kerosene?
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway
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