Vanderbilt Cup Races

Here is another shot of the main entrance from postcards in my collection. Peeking out from behind the trees south of the Gatehouse is the new Catholic Chapel (Chapel 2) built and completed by August of 1942, about a year after the Protestant Chapel (October 19, 1941) (Chapel 1), across the street (Selfridge Ave.)  a little further south. The photo from the COAM, and the second postcard, is the Protestant Chapel, identical in every way, based on Army architects’ plans approved on March 17, 1941for a chapel “to resemble the small country churches which dot the countryside of America. Simple dignity marks the outward appearance of the chapel, the construction being of clapboard on a wooden framework, set on a concrete foundation.” 604 such chapels were built on airfields, camps and bases all across America during the next few years. (Excerpt from my forthcoming books “Beneath the Shadow of Wings”) Thanks.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Mark Lanese. Here are a few pics of the main entrance courtesy of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Built about 1932-33 or so. Note it originally had an open porch, which was enclosed just before WWII.  Thanks.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Many memories of the original NCC campus. The Book Store was the old Navy PX. The North and South Halls were rebuilt inside but the Engineering Building interior looked pretty much as if it was still part of an air base. I recall that WLIW 21 started out on the top floor of that Engineering Building. I was always mystified by those railroad tracks across Selfridge Ave. In later years I learned the history of the Central Railroad of LI. There was also a warning that went around campus that we should avoid the adjacent residential areas as they were still military housing and that MPs would pull you over if you ventured into that area. Those were substantial houses. Ii was good to be an officer!

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

First two shots are of the ‘new’ NCC campus under construction in May of 1977.  Last photo was taken by my mother of me and my Dad the day I graduated Nassau, also in May of 1977 and was taken outside the front entrance of the former Commanding Officer’s Quarters (now NCC President’s Residence) in the middle of the road at 363 Rice Circle.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

The third image above was an artist’s conception from 1970 of what the new campus at NCC would look like.  It proved to be remarkably accurate.  The design of it was considered to be very advanced for its day.  Delays in construction resulted in it taking a decade to get it all built.  My father’s office was on the top floor of the Administration Tower (his previous office in Building 102 at the corner of Davis Ave. & Duncan Ave. had been the Commanding Officer’s office).  You could see the World Trade Center from there.  We would often go for walks during construction to see how progress was coming.  Some construction photos are attached herein.  Endo Boulevard became the new main entrance to the campus. 

When Channel 21 WLIW moved their transmitter tower out to Suffolk around 1980, NCC’s WHPC-FM, whose own tower was co-located on the TV stick was moved to the top of the Administration Building. 

The first building to actually be constructed was the James Fuller Physical Plant on the edge of campus.  All the maintenance vehicles which had been stored in the easternmost hangers had to be moved before the last 3 hangers were demolished.  Before that happened, the insignias on the buildings were removed and presented to the Navy for posterity. 

Before the new campus opened in the late ‘70’s, I had graduated NCC and transferred to Maryland.  As such, I never had a class in any part of the new campus.  I had numerous classes in various Barracks on the Base which were hastily constructed at the outbreak at WWII, never intended to be anything more than temporary dwellings.  Most of those brick buildings are still in use, though there is only one ‘temporary’ building left, at the corner of Miller Ave. and Hospital Road, directly across the street from the old Navy Theater.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

The photo above of the inside of the Air Traffic Control Tower was taken on the last day of its operation in April of 1961 (though the Base wasn’t officially decommissioned until June of that year).

Of all the artifacts left over from the Air Force, that tower was by far the most fascinating of all and was an absolute magnet for kids to climb up.  Many a time as children we were chased out of there by NC Police who spotted bicycles parked at its base.

Some of the equipment such as telephones were left behind along with all of the very heavy furniture.  We would pretend to land planes with that equipment.  The glass was heavily tinted green so it was unnecessary to wear sunglasses.  The panes of thick glass were angled outward at a sharp angle to deflect jet blasts. 

Because of potential danger to children and others, the tower was taken down around 1968.  One day I came home from California Ave. Elementary School in Uniondale and it was gone! :(

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

The 1941 or 1942 shot above of the Military Police Honor Guard was taken on the side of the Operations Building facing the flight line (towards Uniondale).  It’s hard to make out, but on the bottom level there was a catering facility which provided food and drink for planes in transit.

Just a brief portion of the vestibule on top of the building can be seen and was where Air Traffic Control originally was located before the much taller tower at the west end of the Base was constructed in the early’ 50’s. 

NCC eventually used the Ops building as the original location of the Library (today it is the College Union).  The vestibule was removed in 1966 to facilitate repairs to the leaking roof (books and water just don’t mix well).  The vestibule had not been used in 15 years by then.  As a child, I remember checking out children’s books that were actually intended for students interested in becoming children’s authors.

When my father arrived at NCC in 1965, the school had not yet been accredited.  Part of the reason given was the library facilities were deemed to be insufficient.  One of his first acts was authorizing the construction of the pre-fabricated building immediately behind the brick build (still there today) which dramatically enlarged the library.  The school was granted accreditation soon afterwards.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Mark Lanese, the Main entrance to Mitchel Field was at the intersection of Selfridge Avenue and Stewart Avenue.  Prior to the Base Reconfiguration between 1927-1932, the entrance was located several yards to the east of that location.  That roadway ran straight through where the Quadrangle / Parade Grounds would be laid out and terminated at the flight line.  There was also an entrance to the west of the property, joining up with Commercial Avenue. 

The golf course to the West of Merrick Avenue was the Cold Spring Golf Club, sandwiched in between Merrick Ave. and the Santini Area to the South of Hempstead Turnpike.  Cold Spring Creek (aka, Meadow Brook Creek) ran through the course.  Immediately to the north of Hempstead Turnpike was the Meadow Brook Golf Club which hugged the perimeter of the Base.  And across the street from it, on the eastern side of Merrick Avenue were the four courses of the Salisbury Links (three of which still exist today in Eisenhower Park as the red, white and blue courses).

All the golf courses were independently operated, though Nassau County acquired the Salisbury Links when the club could not meet their tax obligations during the Depression.  Many of the officers at Mitchel were members of any of the clubs.

The vintage LIRR cars seen parked on the edge of the Base in 2002 have long been removed and are likely in museums now, perhaps in Riverhead or the planned RR museum in Oyster Bay.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Interesting read of the efforts to agree that the Parkway will benefit all. I believe it would’ve served more practical if the tolls were reduced or even eliminated altogether, for automobilists from every walk of life to enjoy. But with the steady increase in automobile sales from 1908, Motor Parkway would’ve quickly become inundated with floods of traffic, periodically needing expansion (present day LIE). Ironic how the Petit Trianon started with a fire, and later ended with a fire. Great stuff Art!

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 1 (Motor Parkway 1906 - 1910)

Amazing history and photos here of Mitchel Airfield that I was unaware of. They closed down the airfield one year before I was born. Thank you Lee, and Wayne for sharing the details! Remnants of Camp Mills Base Hospital can be seen on the west of Mitchel in the 1933 photo. Good luck Paul!

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

Art.
I very much enjoyed reading all of these stories and letters from long ago.
Thank you.

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 1 (Motor Parkway 1906 - 1910)

Lee. Thank you for sharing all of these pictures. Do you know where the location of the main entrance into Mitchell Field was? I have never heard mention of a golf course on the west side of Merrick Ave. Was that part of Mitchell Field? Do any of those LIRR cars remain on site.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)

the camera is facing east over Hillside ave in East Williston
Hillside ave is the dark road directly below Jericho Tpke is to the right running parallel
the Northern state and Glen cove rd are running north and south with the Northern State turning east. Wheatly Hills golf course and country club are on the left and North side elementry school is on the right. the Motor Pkwy right of way is the gap between the two housing projects on the right and the straight road running through it and there might be a toll house at Jericho tpke

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Location: East Williston. The photographer is looking east.

Major roads: Hillside Avenue (splits the photo vertically), Jericho Turnpike (upper right), Glen Cove Road (towards the top), Northern State Parkway (curved road).

Golf course: Wheatley Hills.

Large building: North Side School.

LIMP ROW: Crosses Hillside at right angles to it. Left (north) of Hillside, in the golf course; right (south) of Hillside, between the two housing developments (Shortridge Drive and Charles Street, according to Google Maps). Is that a toll lodge just south of Hillside?

VCR connection: Jericho Turnpike was part of the course of several races.

Date: Looks like the same as Foto #5, which was taken Sept. 18, 1950. No Meadowbrook Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

We are looking east over East Williston toward Westbury. The main road in the center is E. Williston Avenue (Hillside Avenue). Other roads include Northern State Parkway, Glen Cove Road, and Jericho Turnpike. The Wheatley Hills Golf Club can be seen towards the upper left. The building in the center is the North Side School, part of the East Williston School District. The LIMP R-O-W runs left to right through the golf course with the bridge under Jericho Turnpike visible near the right edge of the photo. This section of Jericho Turnpike was part of the course for the 1904, 1905, and 1906 V. C. Races. The date should be around 1953 since that was the year two new wings were added to the school which sustained severe fire damage shortly thereafter. It took almost two years to rebuild from the fire and by that time some evidence of the Meadowbrook Parkway would have been visible which there is not.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

-The location and orientation of the photographer

Facing due East over Williston Park

-The major roads

Objectors bend section of the Northern State Parkway, Hillside Ave, Glen Cove Rd.

-The golf course

Wheatley Hills Golf Club

-The large building in the middle of the photo

North Side Elementary School originally built in 1917.

-The Long Island Motor Parkway right-of-way and a Motor Parkway structure

The LIMP ROW was horizontal in the photo between the school and the NSP. The only structure I can make out is the Jericho Tpke overpass over the LIMP at the very right edge of the photo.

-Link the Mystery Foto to the Vanderbilt Cup Races

The 1904-1908 race courses ran on Jericho in this area.

-What is the estimated date of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.

My guess here would be around 1950. Meadowbrook Pkwy not yet built. Also, North side school had wings built on the building in 1953.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Lookin east, East Williston Ave.(Hillside Ave) with Northside School in center of photo.
Corner of Glen Cove Road and Jericho Tpke . southeast at Northern State overpass.

From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1953 East Williston aerial from the Cradle of Aviation Archives

Another great article! Where did Austin Clark stay or live in the Hamptons?

From 1960 Photos from the Long Island Automotive Museum in Southampton

Cool story what type of parachute did he use…I used to skydive! And what state was his false drivers license from? Like SCCA, isn’t there a drivers school that NASCAR drivers must attend?

From Video of the Week: The D.B. Cooper of NASCAR

A fabulous job that covers the history of what was an important air base. I recall a field trip there in the late 50s with the Boy Scouts. I don’t remember much but a do remember having lunch in the mess hall. It was Salisbury Steak covered with an unidentified red source. To this day I will not eat Salisbury Steak! Fast forward to 1968-70 as a student of NCC where we had gym in a converted hanger. There were still signs on the walls warning of spinning propellers. We parked on one of the old runways. Some classes were in wooden barracks. There were still places for coal storage. Man those buildings were cold in the winter.

From Hot Post Alert & Update: Beneath the shadow of wings: Mitchel Field and the Motor Parkway (1924-1948)