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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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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
Tragic.
From Video of the Week: Priceless Ford Probe I Ghia Concept Car Destroyed in Fire Leaving Pebble Beach Concours
Two twin-engine Douglas B-18 bombers were on a training mission from Mitchel Field and collided mid-air, killing all on board and a civilian on the ground.
Looks like the photographer was in the air overlooking the site of the crash, Bellerose Manor, looking north/northeast.
The crash occurred on June 17, 1940.
Creedmoor State Hospital
Grand Central Parkway, Grand Central Parkway, 87th Avenue, Hillside Avenue
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
The photographer is looking northeast over Bellerose Manor in Queens on June 17, 1940 and shows the tragic aftermath of a mid-air collision of two Army Air Corps B-18 bombers on a training mission out of Mitchel Field. Twelve people died in the crash including all 11 on the two planes and one civilian (Emily Craft) on the ground. It was near 239 St. and Hillside Ave. I believe the large building complex is the Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital. The LIMP can be seen above the double arch Union Tpke. bridge along with the remnants of the recently demolished LIMP bridge over Commonwealth Blvd. The tree lined road going left to right in the center could be Rocky Hill Road or today’s Braddock Ave.
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
Wow this is actually my grandfather’s old block!
The tragedy on the streets of Queens, what happened?
Two US Army bombers collided from a failed maneuver causing the tragic incident that killed 11 airmen and 1 civilian in a nearby house.
Location and orientation of the photographer
Looking north in the Bellerose section of Queens. Incident seems to have occurred on 87th Avenue between 239th street and 241st street. Hillside avenue is close by in the photo as well as buildings that are part of Creedmor hospital. There is a railroad track below that was the old Creedmor line (connecting to Floral Park and even earlier it connected to Flushing by which the Bell blvd bridge was used for LIMP).
Very far north and west is Little Neck Bay.
Date
June 17, 1940
The large cluster of buildings in the upper left corner
Creedmor hospital.
Find the Motor Parkway, any Motor Parkway structures, and identify as many streets as possible
LIMP and GCP appears to be shown in the area of Commonwealth Blvd north and east in the photo.
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
I also can see off in the distance the Motor Parkway (now out of service) bridge over Commonwealth Boulevard.
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
An army bomber crashed onto a street just south of Hillside Avenue and across the street from Creedmoor State Hospital in 1944 or 1945. There is a marker with a plaque to commemorate the event and the loss of life of the crew on the median of the street (238th Street ?,not sure…). Visible in the photos are the Grand Central Parkway,Hillside Avenue,the Cross Island Parkway,and the old Central Railroad of LI/Stewart Branch remnant used to supply Creedmoor Hospital with coal.
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
With all that dedication to the LIMP history, there must be a family connection with Louis and Ida Damiano. They were the Bethpage Lodgekeepers, Louis worked as Road Repair Laborer previously. And I thought I read somewhere he was also Parkway Police.
From Kleiner's Korner Visits 150 Motor Parkway Building in Hauppauge
Made in China!
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
The place: Bellerose Manor, Queens (239th Street - 241st Street). The photographer is looking northwest.
The date: June 17, 1940.
The tragic event: Two B-18 bombers from Mitchel Field collided during a training exercise, raining debris and fuel over the neighborhood of newly-built homes. All 11 men aboard the planes were killed, and a woman on the ground suffered burns from fuel that ignited her home and died the next day.
The large cluster of buildings is a hospital (possibly Creedmoor). Today it’s a nursing home.
The Motor Parkway is barely visible towards the top of the Foto. I see the bridge over the Cross Island Parkway, which would open a few days later. The road in the middle of the Foto, which separates the neighborhood from the hospital, is Hillside Avenue.
From Mystery Friday Foto #46 Solved: A 1940 midair crash of two B-18 bombers over Bellerose, Queens
HOWARD THAT’S THE OLD MOTOR PARKWAY SIGN ON WILLIS AVE. AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE WILLISTON PARK AMERICAN LEGION HALL, 730 WILLIS AVE. BOB VALENTINE SPURRED THIS SIGN AND IS WHERE WE HAVE OUR GREATER NEW YORK REGION AACA MEETINGS ON THE FIRST KNIGHT OF EACH MONTH. IT WAS SPURRED BY THE MOTOR PKWY. ASS. ALSO.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
What a wonderful story!
From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1
I’ve been lucky enough to know Gram for many years, and feel I’ve witnessed the growth of his passion and knowledge. And how lucky Gram is to have such an incredible boss and supportive family. I really enjoyed reading this story and getting a lesson of what passion and determination truly means.
From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1
Soon as I read the label on the cap, realized the label is a replica of the Historic Sign within the Wheatley Hills Golf Club, in East Williston. LIMP, which was constructed prior to the existence of the Club & Golf Course, ran North & South throughout; creating a golf course on the East & West. There was also a bridge that connected both of the courses. Bridge was originally built for the Titus Farm that existed prior. The LIMP curved West on the North Side. This section was uncovered and kept that way, with the Historical Sign nearby.
I might want to purchase a one of these neat caps from the club!
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
Wheatley HIlls Golf Club?
Rationale: The hat inscription describes the formation of the golf course
Yes, I would buy this hat if available.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
Howard and Roz I’m sure this is one of the many reasons you do all you do for the automobile culture here. You are so generous with your time and collection. Thank you and Gram what a great story and looking forward to part 2
From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1
Gram’s words here bring tears to my eyes. His childhood was deeply influenced by our early explorations of The Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. And both The Beast and Howard have had an amazing influence over all of my Son’s life choices.
So proud of you Gram.
So grateful to you Howard.
This is a prime example of legend becoming reality as both The Beast and it’s road roars with impact.
From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1
What comes to mind is the old Salisbury Country Club (now Eisenhower Park) where the golf course(s) were originally bisected by the LIRR Central Branch. Once the tracks were pulled up in the 1940s (?) the courses were no longer divided and were combined and the roadbed became a cart path. I would assume that the hats are available for purchase in the current park or at the golf courses. I am not sure that I would purchase one since I don’t golf.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
What a pleasure it was to see this on an early Sunday morning. Thank you to Gram and to Howard for bringing so much enthusiasm and joy into everything you do!
From InstaGRAM Report: My story on how the Black Beast influenced my life path Part 1
Additional documentation. I probably would purchase the cap if reasonably priced.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
The cap includes the inscription that refers to the location of the Motor Parkway at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston. So I would presume its for sale at the golf’s pro shop. The inscription is the same as on a plaque that sits on the golf course. Photos are from the Centennial book published by the Wheatley Hills Golf Club. The plaque with the inscription shown is from golfadelphia.com.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Solved: A Motor Parkway Cap from the Wheatley Hills Golf Club
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