Vanderbilt Cup Races

That tunnel/overpass in Searingtown would have been within a couple of doors of the house on Sigsbee Avenue where my wife’s great-grandmother lived with my wife’s great-aunt and great-uncle.  A lot of her family lived on Sigsbee and Dewey (in Albertson) in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.  My wife grew up on Yale Street in Williston Park, with the r.o.w. beyond the back yard fence.  By that time, the LIMP had been long closed.

From Treasure Chest of Surveys and Maps Draws Large Crowd to the Parkway Preservation Society Meeting

Frank—the possible abutment piece is on the north side of Central Ave and west of the historical marker. If you look at our first photo on this post from the top of the abutment looking over Central Ave you can see the white fence to the extreme left. I know the bug is biting you on this one….you have to go and investigate!

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

Brian—-love the idea of that show “What on Earth”. They honestly just haven’t had the most interesting subject matter and they never really pursue it as much as they should to get the “ah-ha” moment but maybe it will get better.

You really can’t argue with what is found on the ground in place right now. It would be one thing if there was one piece of fragment, maybe you can chalk that up to coincidence, but there is so much. It’s there for anyone to see.

And others please chime in on that abutment piece. I have to look at that again in more detail. Maybe there is something else in there.

Regarding the LIPA lines, I know you worked there, is there any way to investigate their construction? They must have maps. Obviously they obtained the LIMP ROW and they followed it very closely for so much of the way, why would they deviate at this location? I dont think they did. And I’m not disputing it made a sharp turn to the east, just not in the exact location shown on Wayne’s map. Again the lines cross over 135 (sharp turn east) right after the Caroline St post location.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

Frank—I knew someone would suggest that when creating the Seaford/Oyster Bay Expwy and digging up the LIMP they just discarded the debris to the west side. The problems: it’s not like it’s on the western edge. It’s pretty far in there. Did they pick the pieces up and carry them over? Also, according to Wayne’s map there is one section of LIMP where it was east of 135. We went there and there is nothing.

In the portions leading up to Central Ave, the actual in place remaining segments of the LIMP, they are slightly to the north or west of Wayne’s line. But I’m thinking there is some kind of aerial image issue with the map view online north of Central Ave because there is just so much there on the ground it is really hard to believe it was all just picked up and thrown over.

And it all makes sense! It follows the LIPA lines as it always did. Why stray at that point? The area itself looks like the LIMP - there is a clearing of sorts throughout. The road pieces are all there and then the Caroline St posts make alot more sense in terms of their placement, not their frequency….we’ll never know the answer to that one. By all means please go there for yourself and investigate!! It’s really hard to argue with what is on the ground! Suspend your Ronkonkoma investigation for a week and try this one! LOL.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

Wayne—first of all thanks for your map, the single most important tool for LIMP navigation. The first time we did this mission your map was right by my side. Now I know it without your map! But I wonder how those such as Sam III did these exploration missions prior to internet mapping! Hats off to them.

I tried to check the aerial map site but do you have to register to see anything? Subscribe to the site? I wasn’t able to see anything. Most importantly…..Is there a map that shows the LIMP in place (portions) at the time of the construction of 135?? That would answer this question. What year was 135 built?

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

When building 135, they wiped the slate clean of any remnants, possibly using the west side as the collection site, the same side as the Caroline posts. There’s still a water shed on the east side to avoid.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

You guys did great! That photo of the concrete base/foundation near the white fence is significant. It had to be part of a past support structure. Then I thought that one photo was some kind of drainage culvert ( W/S of Rte 135 ). After expanding it…...Good one! Your right about the comparison of being the trekker and the science of old aerials, etc. When something is smack in front of you, it is what it is. It’s like that show ” What on Earth”. Satellite imagery finds interesting views from space. It’s not verified until someone views it on terra firma.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

Another fantastic journey Sam and Dave, always looking forward to your photos. Where was the possible bridge abutment located? I could not locate the fence and white building in the back. I’m sending Howard some attachments with the Central Av RR bridge’s position, hoping it’s in this area. You may be onto something big here.

Dave - Wayne and I used different methods to draw this section of LIMP ROW and both obtained same results. Deadman’s curves was an appropriate name with its bizarre twists and turns, especially when ending a curve right at the bridge wall! This happened twice here at Nibbe’s and Plainview Rd. bridges. Most likely the result of failed attempts to acquire land for the road.

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

I looked at the 1953 aerial maps of LIMP in this area and my map seems to be correct in this area. Go to <https://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?op=home> and enter this in the search : “N40.74023 W73.47343” ( with out quotes). Click on the 1953 aerial and you will see the hard right (east) curve. For advanced users: I used the slider to superimpose the 2011 aerial with the 1953 aerial. I need another set of eyes to verify my current map. Thanks!!!

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" II: Central Avenue to Caroline Street-Updated 5/10/2017

Going through my grandfathers boxes of memories, I found a hard copy of the Melton Museum brochure mentioned above.  So interesting to find this webpage

From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)

Part 2:  I revisited the “suffolkcountyny.gov” website. This site has the 1928-1930 Suffolk County Airmaps, along with “imaps” that date from 1947 thru 2016. Utilizing the DRAW TOOL within the imaps, the footage from the Petit Trianon west to #2561 LIMP ( relocated and renovated former Ronkonkoma Toll Lodge ) is about 1650 FT. The footage from the Petit Trianon to #2571 LIMP is about 1500 FT ( previous Ronkonkoma Toll Lodge location ).

I know it’s stated in past blogs that this lodge was originally about 1500 ft from Rosevale Ave, and then relocated another 150 ft west at it’s present location. But when measuring from Rosevale Ave and Old Rosevale Ave, these footages just land the 2 lodge locations to far west on the LIMP. I hope this doesn’t offend anyone. The assumed footages only work out when measuring from the former Petit Trianon.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18

Hi Dave/Sam. I was looking thru some of your journeys, and noticed Sam left a comment here. ” Yeah, he’s not that bad “. Do I hear a touch of sarcasm? My 2 boys ( young teens ) will make similar statements. But not when they need something, LOL. 
Your dad is a great guy, Sam. Look forward to meeting up in the future.

From Sam & Dave's Excellent "Lost" Motor Parkway Adventure I: Clearview Expressway-Queens

I’ve read all the past blogs concerning the Ronkonkoma Lodge. Most of them state the original location was about 1500 ft W/O Rosevale Ave, and that the lodge itself became a private residence when the LIMP ceased. The lodge was relocated 150 ft W/O it’s original location. I’m thinking to measure the 1500 ft from “Old Rosevale Ave”. Without measuring yet, the structure in the Blue Circle looks right.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18

Mystery Foto #15….My research came up a bit short but here are some of the answers. Location from left to right… Hauppauge on the left and Lake Ronkonkoma on the right. South of Hauppauge now called Islandia. Majors roads are LIMP, Town Line road, Old Nichols Road, Johnson Avenue. I find no LIMP bridges as shown in the aerial. There are two LIMP Toll Houses showing in the aerial.The Motor parkway was 22’ wide at this point. Maybe. Don’t know when or why on the photo.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18

Exploring in the woods never grows old!  I love it myself,,,

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" I: Stewart Avenue to Deadman's Curve, Bethpage

Chicken was an expensive item in 1914.  Modern cultivation practices were not yet known and a good chicken dinner was a treat for most folks.  Remember Herbert Hoover’s promise of “A chicken in every pot…?”  That was a promise to bring to the common man’s table something that was mostly reserved for those with wealth.  Fish and other staples were more readily available and were cheaper.

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: The Dining Room of the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma

Didn’t have time this weekend, so I’ll just guess at a few here..
The end of the LIMP from Wheeler Road to the end at Lake Ronkonkoma. There were no bridges beyond Deer Park Road, so no bridges, but we have the Petit Trianon and Annex. Unsure of the year and reason for the aerial, but if it’s after 1923, there should be a lodge across the road, but resolution isn’t good enough to make it out. The parkway was 16 feet wide at this section.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18

Identify the location of the aerial from left to right: Western Suffolk County (Melville) going east to Lake Ronkonkoma

Identify the major roads in the aerial: Some are Commack Road, Motor Parkway, Nichols Road, Hauppauge Road, Smithtown Blvd., sure there are more

How many Motor Parkway bridges can be seen in the aerial?  Little East Neck, Wellwood, Wicks Road, Colonial Springs Road, Deer Park, Half Hollow Hills

What Motor Parkway structures are in the aerial? Petit Trianon, Commack Road Lodge, Brentwood Lodge, Deer Park Toll, Half Hollow Hills, Lodge Ronkonkoma Lodge
 
How wide was the Motor Parkway in this section? 16 feet across

When was this photo taken and why? 1930 - part of a Suffolk County project to have all “roads, terrain and property” in the county recorded. 

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18

Looks like you fellows had a successful meet and examination of the two walls on the 20th.  Making contact as a bonifide group was a great move and hopefully an entree into future more definitive examinations.  Well done.

From Exploring the "Mayan Ruins" Bridge in Garden City- Updated: 4/23/2017

I believe we are looking at o portion of Suffolk County from Central Islip through Ronkonkoma to the lake on the right edge. With the LIMP crossing Wheeler’s Road in the lower left corner, we can also see Nicoll’s Road, Smithtown Blvd., and possibly Middle Country Road (Rte. 25). As for bridges, I don’t think there are any (trick question?) since I believe the eastern-most bridge was Deer Park Road which is not in the photo. Although it’s tough to tell, the structures should be the Ronkonkoma Lodge and Petit Trianon. Not sure, but I think the width of the LIMP here was still the original 16 feet. Just a guess, but the date could be 1938 in preparation for Suffolk County acquiring the LIMP.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved:1930 Aerial of the Long Island Motor Parkway at Lake Ronkonkoma-Updated 9/18