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
Great ,great great…What fun…my guess is, that is the old roosevelt field airport, The origin of Lindbergs famous flight! It closed in the early 50,s which would explain all the homes to the east.(past the horse track) that could be Levittown…What fun this is!
Richie
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
This weeks mystery photo is a tough one. It looks like it Roosevelt Field looking east .Theres OlD Country Rd on the left. The large building in the middle was an aerospace plant which the name escapes me but it became America Machine & Foundry in 1960.Ther are train tracks leading in and out of the plant that took product out for delivery such as machinery and bomb shells.In the upper left it looks like St Bridigs Church. On the left along Old Country Rd there are some hangers still visible. The old Roosevelt Racetrack is seen on the right were the Vanderbuilt Races were held 1936-1939. Harness racing started in 1940. Some of the remnants of the runways are seen in the lower potion of the Photo.The picture is between 1951 & 1957 because the new harness racing track was built in 57 and the air field shut down in 51.
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
Crow all you want about the cars and the VCR, and rightfully so, but my personal debt of gratitude must go to you for the LIMP Preservation Society and all you’ve accomplished! So, congratulations and THANK YOU, Howard. Sam, III
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com: Happy 9th Anniversary!
P. S. - I awoke with two nagging thoughts. I forgot to note the lone hangar on Old Country Road, with it’s magnificent Art Moderne façade; it became a famous club or store named for its owner, like Max’s or Bob’s. If you don’t recall, Westbury historian Ray Muntz should. Also, the two racetracks have to be the old George Vanderbilt courses from the late ‘30s; the left-(northern-)most seems to be dirt or asphalt and thus a trotting pr midget track while the other appears paved with concrete and so for full racecars. Roosevelt Raceway was further southeast (off lower right) and its huge grandstand was on the north side. Also, my 1940-42 date is off; the heavy concentration of housing in your old haunts, East Meadow, to upper right, puts it post-war, say 1945-1950. Fab. pic. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
old country road and east gate blvd looking east
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
northeast corner of 25A and Glen Cove Road.
From The Oldest Porcelain Road Signs in the United States Posted by the Long Island Automobile Club
Congratulations Howard! Thank you so much for preserving, and freely making available to all, this important part of our history.
And I would also like to thank those who have entrusted their family’s historical material to your care for widespread publication on this website. It is priceless to have the motor racing archives of such greats as artist/historian Peter Helck available. I look forward to more family “finds” that have been hidden away, out of public sight.
Bob Luttgen
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com: Happy 9th Anniversary!
Without cheating, that’s Old Country Road at left, looking due “LI” east, with Westbury village at far left (with St. Whoozis’ white spire), Roosevelt Flying Field below, and the American-Bosch-ARMA plant up front with the LIRR spur coming up from the Garden City secondary at Stewart Avenue. Too many racetracks for me, though. ARMA looks new so I’d guess around 1940-42. LIMP runs N-S (left-to-right) behind us and turns E (up) off the right corner. LIRR main line at left with Jericho Turnpike further left. LIMP is at uper right and then buried in the far right distance. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
Eastern end of Roosevelt Field, looking Eastward in 1939 towards the midget racers on what had been a portion of the Vanderbilt race track. The horse paddocks can be seen adjacent to the two tracks.
Old Country Road is seen on the left running top to bottom. LIMP is to the right of the tracks, running top to bottom. Merrick Ave., (aka Post Road, Whaleneck Road, etc.) is in the distance running left to right.
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
Congratulations Howard on a fantastic website. I like everything you’ve posted, and especially the “Friday Mystery Photos”..
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com: Happy 9th Anniversary!
Howard,
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! Quite an accomplishment - Ah, but how many hours a week do you spend “producing” VanderbiltCupRaces.Com? What I like best is your site being a great “One Stop Shopping” spot for all things Vanderbilt Cup, and LIMP - the Lodges, the bridges, the races, the participants, the cars, and all the memorabilia! Also the great aerial photos, and of course all things Long Island. Best of all are all the great comments shared by experts and enthusiasts alike helping to research, clarify and preserve this rich history!!!
PS - I’m not slighting your cars - they’re great too!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com: Happy 9th Anniversary!
-What is the location and orientation of the aerial?
Directly over Roosevelt Field looking East at Roosevelt Raceway.
-Identify the major buildings and structures
Roosevelt Raceway horse tracks and grandstands, St. Brigid’s church steeple, one of the last hangars along Old Country Rd to the left of the practice track, a corner of the Meadowbrook club along the right
-What is the year of the aerial? Provide a rationale.
I’ll guess 1952. The office buildings in the center/right (currently Verizon @ 741 Zeckendorf Blvd) look newly constructed and are listed as being built in that year.
Interesting to see the Roosevelt Field runway remnants in the foreground, soon to go with the impending Meadowbrook Parkway construction.
-Link the aerial to the Vanderbilt Cup Races
Roosevelt Raceway was the site for the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races.
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
The road on the left is what became Old Country Rd. The golf course is what became Eisenhower Park before when there was a course laid out on the west side of Merrick Ave. The church in the upper left quadrant is St. Brigid’s RC Church, the Cemetery to the right of the church is Holy Rood Cemetery. I would guess the age to be early 50’s. not sure when the Roosevelt race track took up permanent status. The large buildings may be Roosevelt Aviation School,, that is a wild guess.
From Mystery Foto #9 Solved: An Aerial Looking East Over Roosevelt Field. Circa 1952
Keep me posted as to any upcoming events, meets etc. Very interested and love the book also.
From The Golf Courses Along the Long Island Motor Parkway
Difficult, Roslyn is more that 2mi. away from Glen Cove today. Old days may have been different. Best guess is Glenwood Rd facing west (sign facing east) and Glen Cove Ave (2.14mi.) in Glenwood Landing,
From The Oldest Porcelain Road Signs in the United States Posted by the Long Island Automobile Club
In regards to the construction material used in the construction of the Petit Trianon both reading rooms, the north and the south were constructed of cement blocks and then cemented over, stucco style the main building was made completely out of brick. The terrace was made of cement block with a brick surface as a top layer, debris of the terrace is still on the site. The roof was entirely made of slate. All the walkways and all seven of the stairways were made of concrete. The circular driveway and north side parking area were blacktop. I hope this clears some of the questions of what construction consisted of.
Bob DeStefani
From Femenias' Findings:Finding Petit Trianon, the Annex & the Petit Trianon's Lake Stairway Updated 3/12
I wonder what Gold Coast estate these signs were found in? Anyone know?
As far as location how about on the corner of northern blvd and glen cove road?
From The Oldest Porcelain Road Signs in the United States Posted by the Long Island Automobile Club
Sea Cliff ? Just a guess. Congrats on the Tucker !!
From The Oldest Porcelain Road Signs in the United States Posted by the Long Island Automobile Club
This discovery is something Newsday would more than likely be interested in as would community papers in and around Malverne. This is a great story.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: A Motor Parkway Treasure Chest Found in Malverne
Noticed Wheeler Bros over by the N Hemp Tpke bridge. Their farm actually extended this far from Alley Pond Park?! Need to brush up some more on my history. These finds are already causing impact
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: A Motor Parkway Treasure Chest Found in Malverne
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