Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks for that in depth history-fascinating… and elicited a flood of memories. I grew up in the new development built just east of that LIE segment. My back yard abutted the north side of Old Westbury Rd/Powerhouse Rd (now the North Svc Road). My playmate lived on the farm across the road-they grew corn, raised chickens and ducks. We roved through farm fields and derelict estates in the area. The farm became a victim of eminent domain for the next leg of construction (their farmhouse was moved approx. 2/10th mile south/west and still stands on Glen Cove Rd a bit north of Bacon), but the farming family (the Friess’ I believe, but don’t hold me to the spelling) moved on . I do remember another much larger old colonial house- a near-mansion,  located on Powerhouse Rd in East Hills about 2/10th mile east of Glen Cove Rd. This was on the segment you describe. I remember when it was moved on a tractor trailer rig in 2 sections up Glen Cove Road to a location about 1/4 mile north of Harbor Hill/Red Ground Rd-where it still stands.
In the weeks before the next segment (east of Glen Cove Rd) opened, we would sneak our bikes onto the new asphalt of the LIE and ride down past Red Ground to Wheatley Rd. I recall that the surface was great for locking the coaster brakes and fishtailing. Then, unexpectedly, came opening day ribbon cutting… we were there cruising around as usual on our bikes… little squirts getting in the way and worming through the crowd to fetch free drinks and shake hands with then Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and some other unknown notables, but mostly realizing that this was to be the loss of our private stretch of biking heaven.

From The Planning and Construction of the Long Island Expressway Through the Roslyn Area: 1953 – 1959

1933 to 1983 Freeport Staduim was the coolest car thing going on Long Island midsgets stocks and motorcycles raced there. In the police boys club we would go there on Tuesday nights and sit just past turn two near those houses. Some locals would sit on the shed and garage roofs to watch.
Unfortunately it was torn down and a BJs chines goods sore was put up

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

That’s the Freeport Stadium or Freeport Raceway which was located on Mill Road in Freeport, NY. It opened in 1933 as a 1/5 mile dirt-cinder motorcycle track but shortly added a rifle range, baseball, boxing, and football to its activities. Midget car racing and stock car racing also took place there. It closed in 1983 and a BJ’s Wholesale Club now occupies the site.

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

Bruce Derrick - below is a snippet of North Millpage Drive’s proximity to the Motor Pkwy. Here is the map link ->  https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/femenias_findings_a_new_interactive_online_map_of_the_long_island_motor_par

From Femenias Findings: A New Interactive Online Map of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Thanks Gram for bringing Peter’s advertising work to the blog.  Having gone through all of his material at the Garage, there was an ample amount to highlight - I just never got to it myself; I especially marvel at the meticulous detail Peter gave whatever he worked on, whether paintings, advertisements or anything else he took up.  And all of the background material (photos, other ads, etc.) he had his researchers find and catalog for his future use.  So glad you’re publishing the material which is a gold mine of one man’s expertise and passion!

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Mystery Foto #*27…This pic shows Freeport Municipal Stadium in Freeport of course. Mainly known for Midget and Stock Car racing it also hosted at one time or another motorcycle racing,boxing,rifle range, football and baseball. Date of construction 1932,1933. Closed in 1983. There are stores there now. Possibly a CVS.

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

Interesting history of Chevrolet advertisements during the ‘50’s. I was unaware Peter Helck was behind some of those ads. Helck’s famous renderings during live action, and later from still photos, are proof of his amazing work.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Loved reading this article and seeing the photos and artwork. Quite a lesson into how much work went into putting together a successful advertising campaign.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

The depth of research here is stunning and the clarity of a storyline makes me equally proud of you my dear son Gram.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Twin Oldsmobiles - driven by Harry M. Stillman and Joe Nelson
1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Stillman #20, Nelson #5)
Photo taken in front of Hotel Downey, Lansing MI
Stillman came in 11th place when the race was stopped, Nelson did not race due to a faulty starter.

From Mystery Friday Foto #26 Solved; A Pair of Oldsmobile Vanderbilt Racers in 1910

David, you are correct! Enjoy, Howard

From Mystery Foto #25: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Old Bethpage documented at the 150 Motor Parkway Building.

This photo shows the twin Oldsmobile racers that were entered in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The #20 car was driven by Harry Stillman and finished at #11 in the race. The #5 car was to be driven by Joe Nelson but did not start due to a defective starter motor. The photo was taken in front of the Downey House Hotel in Lansing, Michigan.

From Mystery Friday Foto #26 Solved; A Pair of Oldsmobile Vanderbilt Racers in 1910

We have lived in the area for a few months now, still so much to see! We’re getting our carpets cleaned this weekend, so we will be looking to get out of the house while the carpets dry. Thanks for this amazing list of things to do!

From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)

Gina Wouters will be attending the June 30 event.

From Save the Date-Rain or Shine: Waterfront at Roslyn Garage Pizza Party hosted by the Roslyn Landmark Society this Sunday, June 30, 2024

I still say the 3rd picture down from the top is the Bloomingdale rd bridge.  It shows the number 8 Alco Black Beast just passing through it in 1909.  A reference for this picture was in a past VCR post here from Nov. 30th 2013.

From Mystery Foto #25: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Old Bethpage documented at the 150 Motor Parkway Building.

Art, The info from my post didn’t come from the Daily News, didn’t even know it was available on line. My notes indicate Long Island Studies at Hofstra U, was the primary source along with the Westbury Historical Society. Mixed in was some scribbles about the routing of the Vanderbilt Cup Race that year. The route chosen was not the original thought. It appears the race organizers first wanted to come down Post Ave. but the LIRR didn’t want to get involved regarding their crossing and suggested using Ellison Ave. instead. That worked and then the course was to turn left on Old Country Rd. and then right on Whalebone Ave, (Merrick Ave,) and then under the Parkway with a left hand turn. I think that routing would have been more exciting and meant large crowds at the three turns. I think I have some info
some where on why that didn’t happen. Will post if I find.

From Kleiner's Korner: Another Hotel Near the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Glad the family that lived on the property reached out to her grandson. She at least was being cared for in the Hospital, instead of just cooped up in the Hotel; deteriorating

From Kleiner's Korner: Another Hotel Near the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks Al for the additional info. on Mary Luessen - here’s a Daily News article from April 28, 1939 from which you probably found the info. if anybody wants to read the actual account. 

And thanks Steven for another avenue to investigate - Apple Annie’s and its cars.

From Kleiner's Korner: Another Hotel Near the Vanderbilt Cup Races

and who remembers Apple Annie’s around the corner in Westbury? It had several funny cars on the front lawn and I think one was an MG and the other was a baloonish like yellow fiberglass Taxi. It had little holes in the fiberglass windshield so the driver could see the road. It must have been used in parades. I once saw it abandoned along the RR tracks in Farmingdale when I was landing a plane there. Then years later I saw it again abandoned in Atlantic Beach. It has to be out there some where as a corny prop. It would have looked good next to the Jeep in roslyn.

From Kleiner's Korner: Another Hotel Near the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Going to say this a photo of embankments that were in Bethpage State Park ( Botto Farmway Bridge over the LIMP ) the view is mostly South. Not certain if the image was originally in color, then developed black & white to match the others. Similar to the photo from the LIMP Tours done 1958 thru 1967, by the mystery couple. See the utility pole to the right, I know there’s a pole line in the park near this location.

My second choice is the embankments just East of Maxess Rd. Melville. That was a Farmway or Pedestrian Bridge over the LIMP, too. Again, not sure if this was a color photo, made black & white. Any images on the site here are in color, from like year 2000 until now.

Screenshot images below to compare.

From Mystery Foto #25: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Old Bethpage documented at the 150 Motor Parkway Building.