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
I always thought the cupola was saved and placed onto the new building, but based on the dramatic picture i now know different. Good Pic !
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From Howard Kroplick
Really surprising that they made little or no effort to save it!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Looks like the 2nd Garden City Hotel. Believe it was demolished in the early 70s.
Willie K and associates adjourned to there after the 1906 race to determine how to make the races safer—and they came up with the idea for the Long Island Motor Parkway. I was and still am a member of the Sunrise Trail division of the National Model Railroad Association. We held the Northeast Region convention in those walls in 1967.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This is the falling tower of the old Garden City Hotel during its demolition in January 1973 (the NY Times reported about the demolition on January 16th). It was located in Garden City village in the town of Hempstead and was the headquarters of the Vanderbilt Race Commission during the Long Island years of the Vanderbilt Cup race (1904-1910).
I’m surprised that the prominent top of the tower wasn’t rescued: although the photo is of an almost surrealistic beauty, the falling tower makes a very ornamental and sound impression on me!?
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Mr. R. Troy, that is quite possible as the ceiling in the main dinning room was over thirty feet high.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Identify the building and its location: Garden City Hotel, Garden City
How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races? Served as Headquarters for the races from 1904-1910 as well as a place to stay for race participants and fans.
What was the approximate date of the photo? January, 1973.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Garden City Hotel, in downtown Garden City. Circa 1972 during demolition. Hotel was the sight of lodging during 1906-1908 VMP races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Some buildings in Disney World have, on higher levels, small windows, etc. that from street level look normal sized and that sort of make buildings look taller then they really are. This may have been intended to create an illusion in this house.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Having grown up in the Lake Ronkonkoma area, and being a racing history buff, I am particularly in this series. Thanks so much!
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Sad day indeed, and fantastic photo. Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY. Headquarters of the organizing committee for the LIMP corporation. On or just after 16 Jan 1973.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
From Ann Albertson
I believe it is the Garden City Hotel, located at 45 Seventh Avenue in Garden City.
It was razed January 16, 1973. It had served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt CupRaces 1904 - 1910. Long Island winning driver of 1908, George Robertson, stayed at the Garden City Hotel.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
The Garden City Hotel located at 45 Seventh St., Garden City was razed on January 16 1973. It was the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race 1904-1910 where winning Long Island driver 1908, George Robertson, stayed.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
In answer to Mr. Frank Femenias, comment about the odd dimensions of the balcony that could have very well been a balcony for plants and decorative foliage and it probably was, but from a child’s mind, we always thought of something more freighting, after all we thought it was an old haunted house and plants just didn’t fit in. Thank you for your observation. I’m sure your right.
In regards to Mr. Walt Gosden, I agree with you on that magnificent structure and the surrounding grounds, how anyone with any forethought, being the town, county or state did not try to save that property, two acres on lake front, four acres altogether with an incredible view of the lake from the hill where the Petit Trianon was built, the building itself was made of stone with a slate roof, it would have lasted forever, inside some of the plaster came down from the ceilings, probably from rain getting in, but basically the old girl was in great shape, no vandalism to speak of and all the boarded glass, even up to the fire of 1958 was still in tact. Thank you for your forethought. Somebody dropped the ball.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
Identify the building and its location:
• Garden City Hotel, 45 7th St, Garden City, NY
How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?
• The Garden City Hotel served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Commission from 1904 to 1910.
What was the approximate date of the photo?
• 1973
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
My best guess is that may be the Garden City Hotel under the wrecking ball in the ‘70s. W. K. Vanderbilt used the hotel for board meetings of the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
It looks like the takedown of the Garden City Hotel in 1973.
The hotel was host to participants and spectators of the Vanderbilt Cup races.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
The Garden City Hotel Shame!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
That looks like the third incarnation of the Garden City Hotel (45 Seventh Street) in beautiful, downtown Garden City, NY. as it was being demolished in the summer of 1973. It was the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission from 1904 to 1910.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
7th street & Cathedral Ave., Garden City. The Vanderbilts were frequent visitors there. Meetings for construction of the Long Island Motor Parkway were attended there. Doing this from a phone, no fun.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
Garden City Hotel (most famous third version, 1901-1973), during demolition after filing for bankruptcy. Look Out Below!
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973
This is an absolutely wonderful insight into that magnificent structure and the surrounding area. Thank you Mr. DeStefani.
From New Series: An Insider's Look into the Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma Part I.
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