Vanderbilt Cup Races

Sperry Gyroscope bldg. Served as United Nations temporary home from 1946- 1951. It was here that the United Nations council recognized Israel as a state. The picture was taken looking South- South East. Picture was probably taken in mid to late 1940’s. The Northern State Pkwy was open by 1938, Sperry opened early 1940’s. Lake success shopping center isn’t built yet and was probably built mid 1950’s. Looks like Long Island Motor Pkwy is crossing over the Northern State Pkwy in the lower right corner of the picture.

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

My office was across the street. So I should know.
1.  Sperry/Gyroscope. Norden bombsight. The executive offices in the front, with the factory in the rear.
2. I don’t think the vote to partition the British Mandate of Palestine took place here. I though the UN General Assembly met in the NYC pavilion of the 39-40 World’s Fair until the present UN on First Avenue opened. However, based upon your question, I’d have to state that at least part of the decision to end the British Mandate was made in the building, which was the then Secretariat Building, if not the General Assembly vote.
3. Looking southeast.
4. The photo is marked confidential. I suspect that it was taken during the War. The question, however, states that the Defense Department marked it confidential. The DOD was created in 1947 with the “merging” of the services and the creation of the US Air Force. Before the DOD, the US Army was called the War Department and the Navy was called the Navy Department. Now both are under the umbrella of the DOD. So if the question is correct, the DOD marked the photo as confidential after the War, not during it. As for the date, it was taken after Sperry moved from Brooklyn to the site. My guess in 1943.
5.  The Northern State Parkway is visible on the bottom of the photo (north). Both the eastbound exit and entrance from and to the Northern State Parkway at Marcus Avenue is visible, as is the westbound exit and entrance from and to Middle Neck Rd. To the right of the Middle Neck Bridge is the Vanderbilt Parkway Bridge.

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Sperry Plant at Lake Success, adjacent to the Long Island Motor Parkway, with orientation being towards the East. 
I would speculate that “Confidential” was marked on the foto as the foto was most likely taken in the early 40s during WW2, and that the connexion to Israel would be the use of this facility as original headquarters of the United Nations when Israel became a member of the United Nations.

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

This is the Sperry plant,

the shopping center is not there, on what would be Union Turnpike so it is `40` to 50`s ?
the office or the mane entrance became the UN. start up.
Aerial is north west

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

I got this one:

This is New Hyde Park. Motor parkway bridge at the bottom of the pic and we are looking southeast, we are pretty much right above where the Deepdale Vanderbilt estate was/is. The building we are looking at was once the HQ for the United Nations while the NYC location was being built. This was from 1947-52 approximately.

The was the location of a Sperry Rand Defense plant. The plant was acquired by Loral Corp, then Unisys and later by Lockheed Martin before being closed.

In 1939 the United States government bought a large tract between Marcus Avenue, Lakeville Road and Union Turnpike, to be the home to the Sperry Gyroscope Company which built a variety of maritime, military, aerospace and navigation products. During World War II the plant had 22,000 employees

BOO YAHHHH!!!!

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Hey Brian—-LOL it just didn’t look like the location you said it was for a few reasons but I’m glad it’s solved. That being said, you guys are marvels at figuring out these things with all the topographical skills that you have and that some discover via the internet and aerial photos, etc. It’s really amazing.

The discussion about the Caroline Street posts (Bethpage) was my favorite, and still unsolved despite great amounts of info that was uncovered. Between you guys that like to research extensively and myself and Sammy who go the site and explore we make a pretty good team.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

Don’t know why I threw my two cents in here…been a long-time reader but have always been blown away by the depth and breadth of knowledge all of you have. But there is something about this area that always intrigued me. That corner has remained so desolate and barren, which seems odd in today’s LI. Sure, the obvious chunk of the road that is on the cover is not there, but it’s really not all that different now.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

I have an Ellisco can as well…rusted but no hole and the rust appears to be surface rust.  Was passed down to me.  But- my can has the letters T.W.O.S.C on it as opposed to GROSC.. Have no idea of the definition.

From Mystery Foto #86 Solved: Antique Five Gallon Can Manufactured by George D. Ellis & Sons, Inc.

Hey Brian—-LOL it just didn’t look like the location you said it was for a few reasons but I’m glad it’s solved. That being said, you guys are marvels at figuring out these things with all the topographical skills that you have and that some discover via the internet and aerial photos, etc. It’s really amazing.

The discussion about the Caroline Street posts (Bethpage) was my favorite, and still unsolved despite great info that was uncovered. Between you guys that like to research extensively and myself who would rather go the site and explore we make a pretty good team.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

It’s the original UN, home to Sperry Corp. for many years, the creation of Israel was done there, photo Is facing south, mid 1940, car on northern state is 1940 41 ford or Willys, motor parkway can be seen in bottom right corner of picture, dark roadway passing over northern state

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Original UN Building in Lake Success (Became the Sperry Building)
Looking South East - South of Northern state
LIMP - bridge located on the right
Lakeville road - bridge on the right (Parallel to LIMP)
1945-1947 Time Range - just after WWII
UN Declared Israel Independence from this location

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Date is before 1969, since I can still see the LIMP in the bottom corner.  The picture is the original United Nations building, where Israel was founded.  The picture is taken from (approximately) above the Vanderbilt Lakeville Mansion.  It looks to the south east.  With the Northern State Parkway at the bottom running left to right, and Marcus Ave running slightly higher in the picture.

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

I don’t believe a “mystery photo” had as many comments as this blog post. Thanks for initially questioning my assumed location of the 1973 photo, Dave Russo. If it wasn’t for Frank Drebins comment, I might be still scratching my head over this. I even sent Howard an email about all this. If your paying attention Frank, thank you.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

Thanks for sharing.

From Walter McCarthy Collection: A Tribute to Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Yes. Kudos to Frank. That is definitely the location.

And once you cross the wantagh parkway there are original wood posts that still stand. . Pictures to come as part of Vanderbilt day II pics sent to Howard!

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

Congratulations to Ariejan Bos, the undisputed king of mystery photo identification, for his outstanding research effort.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Drivers and Mechanicians of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Sweepstakes

You may be correct, Frank Drebin. The LIMP bridged over Westbury Rd. Then the road seen ahead would be Salisbury Park Dr ( Gradually uprising eastward over Wantagh St Pkwy ). You can’t see Westbury Rd because of the photo angle. And the tower line is still on the S/S of the ROW. In this area, there’s underground electric transmission basically on the N/S of the ROW. This transmission replaced the wood poles w/3 cross arms each in the past. And what I see in the distance to the right is the R/O the Newbridge Rd substation. It appears that we are looking at the remains of the LIMP just W/O Westbury Rd, and this would’ve been demolished with the widening of the intersection there, or because of the apartment/condo complex where the 2 roads meet.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

From Ariejan Bos:

Photo A: Joe Dawson (#25 Marmon)
Photo B: Unknown person in Columbia sweater and in Columbia car #12 (Not Harold Stone!)
Photo C: Billy Pearce (Falcar #41)
Photo D: Joe Nelson (Oldsmobile #5)
Photo E: Bert Dingley and C.F. Oswood (Pope-Hartford #22)
Photo F: Unknown Mercer #42 or #47 driver (cf. M)
Photo G: Joe Matson (Corbin #14)
Photo H: Louis Disbrow (National #31)
Photo I: Frank O’Brien (Falcar #41 mechanician of Billy Pearce)
Photo J: Harry Stillman (Oldsmobile #20)
Photo K: Frank Gelnaw (Falcar #46)
Photo L: Fred Heinemann and H.B. Patty (Marmon #45)
Photo M: Unknown Mercer #42 or #47 driver (same person as F)

Regards,
Ariejan

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Drivers and Mechanicians of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Sweepstakes

The bottom photo from the article cover page looks like where Salisbury Park Drive and Old Westbury Road split. It looks like the Suburban Park Jewish Center on the right.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

What a great video. It’s a toss up between your’s and his. I would have to see it live to decide,seeing and hearing it in action. Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July to all of you.

From Henry Austin Clark Jr. and his 1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout