Vanderbilt Cup Races

You guys are good….congratulations!

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

Agree Tom on those hills, and they should not be taken for granted with kids on bikes. That hill under the GCP is a killer ~8% grade that even adults are seen walking their bikes. :D I used to ride by on Union Tpke from Woodside, and passing through the area, that Wheeler bridge by the tennis courts always stood out, like it represented something but not sure what it was. Thanks to Howard, Sam, Art, and Robert, their websites answered a lot of questions. I’m glad the area was preserved by NYC as it’s still a wonderful walk back in time, a porthole to the past.

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

As both an avid cyclist and a local historian, the more I learn about the Motor Parkway Bike Path in Queens, the more special it becomes for me.

From a purely cycling standpoint, though, it should be noted that this bike path, with its many hills, can be a bit challenging for casual riders and children.  Expect a combination of short-but-steep hills with little or no space to build up speed and long, gradual ascents, which can knock the wind out of anyone who hasn’t been on a bike in a while.

In any event, if you’re in good enough shape, don’t miss this one, if only for the history!

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

Thankyou, Edith.  We’re all fortunate to have you interested in these topics.

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West

Looking into it a little further, since I can never leave well-enough alone, I’ve confirmed my own guess as the section between Springfield Blvd and Alley Road, (Winchester Boulevard) before the second Winchester Blvd bridge was built in 1931. The exact year of the aerial is 1924.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

I’m stumped, so I’m going with my best, semi-educated guess here…

I’m unsure about the year, but after 3 days(!) of staring at the aerial, this looks like the section just to the East of Springfield Blvd, (Springfield being the road going North/South on the left?) Since that area changed a lot throughout the years, I’d need another 3 days to try and figure out the year! Early 1920’s would be my closest guess…

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

I love the bike path through Cunningham and Alley Pond Parks, particularly the bridges over which it travels.  Its ironic that Robert Moses thought he was hurting Willie K by deeming the Motor Parkway in Queens would be but a humble bike path rather than a highway, and now it is the most original section, immortalizing the LIMP.
Thanks also to those NYC Mayors who supported the maintenance of the “Bike Path” in the seven decades following the transfer of the LIMP to NYC.

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

Robert Moses was far more interested in form then function - he didn’t care if a highway was unusable, and he despised mass transit.  But hey, his brick decorating of a bridge looks good.

Ron

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

Howard:
Thanks for the terrific post!!  It was great that you were able to connect with the Lee family.  Hope all is well with you.
Tom

From Profile: Frank Lee, Mechanician for the Alco Black Beast

Fred, thanks for the information. I revised the copy above.

Howard

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: Creedmore Hospital and Commonwealth Boulevard Motor Parkway Bridge in 1941

From Fred H.

Hi Howard,

As a former resident of North Shore Towers, Queens, i can state with certainty that the high point of Queens is on the GCP Service road between Little Neck Pky and the city line.

Here is an article from a Google search of highest NYC points:

Queens

High Point: Sidewalk near North Shore Towers - 260+’

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: Creedmore Hospital and Commonwealth Boulevard Motor Parkway Bridge in 1941

As to Mr. McCarthy’s reference to the various sidings ooff the LIRR mainline, I recall there was an extended “Y” going North off the LIRR at the East end of Republic running along Repoublic Road, which Y eventually served as the “turn-around” for trains terminating at Republic (East Farmingdale).  Also, for information, I recall some of the older farmers referring to that “siding” as serving farmers in the area, calling the Central Branch with which the Main Line connected at Bethpage as the “Manure Line”.

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/Wyandanch/Half Hollows Looking West

Very interesting to see another car that Mort Roberts drove in addition to the Tahis Special at Elgin in 1914.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

It look’s like the Rocky Hll Rd. (Springfield Blvd.) end of the LIMP before the extension to Peck Ave in Fresh Meadows. I grew up in Fresh Meadows on the other side of Horace Harding Blvd and spent my childhood on the “Vanderbilt Parkway.” From what I remember, the 73rd Ave. bridge has 1926 on the cornerstone. So I’d have to say that the last year this pristine photo without the extension could have been taken would have been about 1924.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

The “stretch” that started it all for me as a lttile boy growing up in nearby Floral Park. This “speedway” hosted the bikes on my and my buddies and ignited a lifelong love of bikes, cars, motorsport and Long Island’s history. So pleased that NYC had the sense to keep some of this heritage alive

From Motor Parkway Trails #1: Brooklyn-Queens Greenway

Good Stuff Howard,  Anyway it probably is Powell Avenue / Nibbe bridge, but the 2 bridges at the Melville Sandpits and Bethpage are right next to each other and rather close. Plus the writing on the Bridge Abutments is what made me think that.
On a different note the Garden City Curve is now impassable, looks like Hurricane Sandy dropped a tree across it and power lines are on the ground. You can walk west of Raymond Ct. but you wont get to Clinton road. Mike

From Mystery Foto #9 Possibly Solved: Powell Avenue Bridge and Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Bethpage?

I found this aerial photo within this website. It’s titled as 1924 Oakland Gardens Queens . The info attached to the aerial stated that by 1912,  the western terminus of the LIMP was Rocky Hill Rd ( Springfield Blvd ).  The main road to the east is Winchester Blvd.  I can also see the Wheeler Farmway Br, and Alley Pond Br.  If it wasn’t for Mr Berliner’ss or Mr Kroplick’s websites,  I would have a hard time figuring out the mystery photos.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: The Birthplace of Gridlock- Springfield Boulevard and the Motor Parkway

I’m sure you heard or read the news that the Levittown Project was approved, See you tomorrow,it’s going to be a great day. I hope the Black Beast is ready to roar.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

From Racer Roy

I wanted to thank you for preserving the memory of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. I have been a race fan since 1945 and loved every minute of it. I marvel at your knowledge, perseverance, and sophistication in covering the participants, routes, and significant events of that era. Well done! I congratulate you, Howard!

All the best from Racer Roy

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden

You did it again Howard,keeping me busy on here for hours at a time,can’t get away from it,keeping you busy too reading my comments.Looks good for the weekend weather is going to be nice,looking foward to it, Gotta go know,something on TV I want to watch.

From 1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes Racer #53 Abbott Detroit Found In Sweden