Vanderbilt Cup Races

It is fun to see many of these photos. I like ot go om mps.com, to find them, but it is sometimes difficult. Native Long Islanders know the locations, of course, but it is difficult for those out of state. There are pics like the “Village Pool via Motor Parkway, and Albertson Motor Pool, that are hard to pin down. It wouldbe nice if one could draw up a schematic, or something to help find them. (I could only find Hempstead on maps.com, not North Heampstead.) Still many of the presentations are enjoyable, instructive and nostalgic.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#21 Willis Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in Williston Park

wonderful report

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#22 Oyster Bay LIRR Bridge Williston Park & East Williston

I love the research and the pictures you found. You made one mistake in a caption. You said, ” The school would become the site of Five Towns College in 1972.” Burr’s Lane was the high school originally from 1956-1963. It was Burr’s Lane from ‘63-‘90.  Five towns College had many different locations such as Merrick and Seaford before coming to Dix Hills in 1992. I guess it’s a typo (‘72/‘92) I went to Burr’s Lane from 1980-83, and Five Towns from 1991-95.

From Then & Now: The Motor Parkway near Burrs Lane, Half Hollow Hills

Rog Patterson:

“Good morning, Howard…Just enjoyed your Maple Cottage piece and, perhaps, made a discovery.

Any way of learning whether Ada Patterson might have married a Phillip Myers (spl?) later in life?
In your photo caption, the Patterson name jumped out at me and, as a 7 or 8-year old, I remember an “Aunt Ada” who was great friends with my real Aunt Ella Patterson and who lived in Mineola with her husband, “Uncle Phil”.

This was a real brain exerciser over 75 years after the fact, Howard, so if nothing comes of it I’ve still enjoyed the search. Any way to find out whether she’s one and the same? Might make a future fun story for you.
“

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Phil,

I think my medallion was originally shaped like yours but, for some unknown reason, was trimmed down. You can see the cut marks around the edges in my scan of the medallion. Thanks for photographing yours.  I hope we can solve this mystery.

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Checked it out tonight literally across from the entrance of the Fresh Meadows country Club where I worked for years as a teenager. Thanks Howard!

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Phil:

Send them to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I will repost them here.

Enjoy,

Howard

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

How do i post photos on this site?

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Hi Karl
There is no markings on back and mine is not round like yours it has the round circle but around the outside looks like a stop sign.
                                                                Thanks Phil

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Are either the Indianapolis or Brentwood medallion inscribed on their backs? If so, could/would you please post images?

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

From Henry:

“Lin: Thank you As stated in Levittown Planned Residence District (LPRD), Article XV states: ‘Levittown was planned and developed as a whole community; piecemeal intrusion on scattered parcels by development will change the physical character of the residential areas and reduce open space. The Town Board intends to accomplish these purposes, thereby protecting, preserving, and promoting the public health, safety, general welfare and amenity of the Town of Hempstead.’

High density housing is not permitted under the current zoning and is not right or needed in Levittown. I hope the property owner’s business rezoning application is denied and he proposes single-family homes in accordance with the plot’s current LPRD zoning. Additional single-family homes “fit” the neighborhood and will have a much smaller impact on area. Please let your government representatives know you oppose this rezoning request and attend the public hearing on Sept 4. Preserve LPRD Zoning and Save Levittown.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Lin Test:

““I live very close to the proposed location of these “condos” and can honestly say that there is just not adequate room for the level of congestion this building would cause. Firstly, Orchid Road and the surrounding blocks already have a traffic and speeding problem. Secondly, the area is zoned for residential single or two family homes. I would have no problem with the developer building two or three houses in the location much like was done off Jerusalem Avenue in Hicksville, directly across the street from the Spindle Road intersection. That location has a single road into it for access, but there is no greater strain on the community services and neighbors in the area. I think that this would allow the builder to still make a profit, without destroying the general landscape and feel of the area. I also believe that while I would love to see some historic park developed here, it is not the builders responsibility to do that. I do, however, feel that he DOES have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of the community that he purchased in. If he bought land under the mistaken idea that he could get the land use re-zoned that is his bad investment and no one else’s fault. But let’s not be naive and say he should make some skate park. REALITY - he wants to make some money and we want to maintain our community——CAN ANYONE SAY COMPROMISE?”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From gj:

““It is my understanding the grandstand resembled a large herring and was painted bright red.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Thomas rus:

““Henry - We may not have lawyers on retainer, but the law is very much on the side of the LPOA and those who should (and do) oppose this development. Specifically, the LPRD—which you cite—articulates very eloquently the need to avoid piecemeal intrusion in a planned community like Levittown. More specifically, it sets forth the major concepts which have formed the basis of zoning law since the Euclid case, namely, the right of towns and homeowners to preserve the safety and well-being of residents, avoid creation of dangerous traffic conditions, and maintain the character of a neighborhood with single-family, detached homes. The corporate predecessor of Josato, Terra Homes, applied in 1984 for variances on another portion of the Old Motor property, and was denied by the NYS Supreme Court in 1987, which finding was affirmed by the NYS Court of Appeals. A similar application by Powerhouse Road Associates with respect to the Crocus Lane property was defeated a few years later. It’s worth remembering that neither the LPOA nor residents in opposition should say that they oppose any and all development—rather, they oppose development that is not in conformity with the LPRD. Keep the faith, as they used to say. - Tom”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

I have one also I am from Brentwood Long island N.Y. Been in my family a long time do not know were it is from. Vanderbilt cup races were held here but no airplanes were used.

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Howard,

That’s an incredible amount of research.  Thanks.

Rog

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#21 Willis Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in Williston Park

Well done - great photos!  Wonder if Ms Ada was Nat. Wood in the Tony Curtis film?

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Robert R:

“Wonderful piece on Maple Cottage, Howard.

So great to know that it still exists.”

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Paul,

When the Long Island Motor Parkway closed in 1938, this property was transferred to Nassau County. I believe the property was auctioned by the county over 20 years ago and was purchased by Josato for less than $100,000. The relative low price reflected the zoning restrictions.

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Paul:

Henry /Howard:
Do we know or is their a trail of who owned this large parcel over the years?
examples:
Was it not supposed not to be sold to a builder/developer etc???
Was it supposed to have been preserved?
Was the county/TOH supposed to keep it as park land????

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box