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.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
As always, excellent work with the mapping overlays; Frank. You bring the LIMP “back to life”.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Me too, Dave! I liken Art and his buds planning in “The Office” to “The War Room” ( The Curse of Oak Island, History Channel ).
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
From Al Velocci:
The Bethpage Lodge
The Damiano family were the last family to live in the lodge.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Looks like one of the first 3 and its not Massapequa
Since it looks abandoned and the period,being a color photo, early 1960’s my guess is Bethpage lodge.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Good point Sam. Was scratching my scalp on this one as well. I’d first guessed 40 acres was likely the NE corner that extended north beyond the RR tracks, than the smaller NW portion; both judged by the street lengths indicated on the map. Tricky stuff.
It’s amazing how history can be resurrected by a mere parking ticket, meant to be discarded and destroyed soon after distribution. This is history as good as it gets. Thank you Gary for sharing this gem, and to the Pratt family for retaining this artifact for so many years.
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
I also say keep up the good work guys
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Without extensive homework, I’d guess at Bethpage; It’s one of the first three Pope lodges, Meadow Brook, Massapequa, and Bethpage, The chimney placement matches Bethpage but not Massapequa or Meadowbrook. The next/last three Popes, Garden City, Roslyn, and Great Neck, had wooden posts and a central chimney. Selah! Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Based on the shadows and angle of the sun, we’re probably looking at a lodge on the north side of the parkway. That means it’s either the Bethpage or Massapequa lodge. Most photos of Massapequa I’ve seen show the chimney covered with stucco so I’m going with the Bethpage lodge, which was about 300 feet west of Round Swamp Road and last occupied by Louis and Ida Damiano. Since the lodge was demolished in 1961, the photo was probably taken about that time.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Just a reminder that that historical marker is (or at least was) incorrect <http://sbiii.com/b-uattwn/meiii4/pix/limpmark.jpg>; Arthur (Rayner) Pardington was NOT the Engineer of the LIMP. He was the V. P. and General Manager. Sam, III
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Not sure I understand which corner; if it was the south-EAST corner, it belonged to Chas. Crowley, NOT Chas. Crosby. [As an unrelated aside, note the proximity of Mme. Le Boudy’s {sic} property to the French Aero Station.] Sam, III
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
Gary, this is a great post and history, all developing from that parking ticket. Your research and documentation are excellent and the story gave all of us a great insight into an important but often overlooked aspect of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. Thanks so much.
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
Looks like it might be the Bethpage Lodge at Round Swamp Road about 1961.
The Damianos were the last occupants after the Parkway closed.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Rare color shot of a lodge! Guessing, Bethpage Lodge looking NE, the black/brown stripes under the porte-cochere match this other rare view. http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article//rare_view_of_the_bethpage_lodge
If correct, photo taken after 1961 when gatekeepers Louis Damiano and wife Ida vacated the premises, possibly taken just before demolition based on deterioration and overgrown brush. The Damiano’s were toll collectors from 1922-1938, and continued to live in until 1961. Thomas Grafenstein was the original collector. Don’t know how long the structure lasted while vacant. Located just west of Round Swamp Road, the lodge was one of six designed by John Russell Pope but one of the first three erected. The other two were Meadowbrook Lodge (1908-1938, destroyed 1950s), and the Massapequa Lodge (1908-1938, destroyed 1960s).
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
I lived on Old Country Rd. and Bert Ave . I knew James and William ” Willy” Pratt. They owned the construction Co. Pratt Bros. where Burger King and Shiro of Japan is today. James lived on Carle Rd. South of Old Country Rd. and Willy lived off of Glen Cove Rd. James’ house was torn down years ago. Their office was where Burger King sits today and they stored and fixed their equipment in an old barn were Shiro is today. I don’t know who owned the farmhouse and barn but it may have been the Hoeffners..
Great post I didn’t know their previous background on that they owned a farm.
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
Garden City Lodge off Glen Cove Road?
That was later moved 7th Ave off Franklin Avenue - Used as a Chamber of Commerce.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Identify the lodge and its exact location. Provide a rationale.
The Bethpage Lodge was located just west of Round Swamp Road and south of Manetto Hill Road (now Old Bethpage Road).
Who was the last family to live in the lodge?
The Damiano family- last toll keeper of the LIMP.
What is your best guess of the date of the photo?
The toll keeper’s family moved out in the late 50’s, sold to a developer and demolished in the early 60’s. -1961 ish
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
The Motor Parkway did not run through or adjacent to the Queens County Farm Museum. It ran just north of Elkmont Avenue, along what is now the southern border of the Green Meadows Farm Petting Zoo parking lot.
From Remnants of Long Island Motor Parkway Discovered in Queens
Great post. I love your work. And completely enjoy your website.
Thank you.
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
No problem Mike. Hope all is well.
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Great job guys. Keep it up. That pic of the maxess road bridge shows there has been more damage to it. The concrete was smooth up beyond the date stamp last year. But recently it seems to have chipped down. Not good.
I love how you guys meet in the office before the journey! Keep exploring!
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
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