Vanderbilt Cup Races

*Location, Harbor & Orientation - William K Vanderbilts II estate Eagles Nest, in Centerport NY. Viewing NE towards Northport Harbor.

*Mystery Foto link to VCR’s & LIMP - Willy K established the VCR’s and created the LIMP.

*Photographer & Plane - I would say Willy K in his Sikorsky S - 43 Seaplane.

*Kudo - Warren Worthington III - Angel, see below.

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: A 1932 View of Willie's K's Eagle Nest and Northport Harbor

Some of you didn’t quite get the ID of all the cars including Al Prete I thought he got but one more, I have spotters guides to ID’s
Left to Right
‘56 Chrysler Windsor sed. with 2 spd. Powerflite, 3 spd. Torqueflite a bit later.
‘53Dodge Coronet 2dr. HT
‘53 Chevrolet 2dr.
‘56 Ford Fairlane sed.
‘51 Ford Custom Deluxe
‘55 Pontiac Star Chief 4dr. HT
Corner car unknown
These days a look up on Google Search also.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957

My mom had a 1955 New Yorker Deluxe Victoria Convertible (memory jogged by the 56 New Yorker sedan above), 2 door, 2 speed Torqueflite with shifter on the dash, hemihead engine, piles of power.  My dad, who did lots of business with the car companies in and around Detroit and Kenosha hauling cars with Arco Auto Carrier (and built the best trailers for that at Troyler in Scranton PA), drove it home from the factory back to Scranton.  We still had that car until the early 1970’s - I wish we’d kept it!

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957

A dispute between Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead? It happens often, even today, thanks to New York State’s bifurcated system of town/county government.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Very happy that you communicated with his family, Art. Along with his websites, they can also see that Sam’s knowledge, passion and humor lives on here, too.

From Sad News: The Passing of Sam Berliner III

Howard, last photo is looking south through the porte cochere

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #7: Bethpage Lodge

Just noticed too in the above article that an overgrade crossing over Jericho Tpke was being disputed. Once said and done, we know this became a HWY bridge, LIMP built under Jericho Tpke.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

There still is a natural uprise west towards Sheridan Blvd. Screenshots below viewing west from Donna La show the steady uprise.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Since we’ve been made aware of Sam’s passing I was able to make contact with Sam’s widow who very much knew of his passion for the Motor Parkway (she also knew of Howard as Sam very often mentioned his name).  As the following e-mail indicates she very much misses Sam and was appreciative of my efforts to contact her to let her know how many people in our group Sam touched.  She and Sam’s daughter’s very much want to keep his website alive so that his legacy and vast knowledge can continue to assist others.  Hopefully that will be accomplished!

Dear Mr. Kleiner,

Heartfelt thanks for your contacting me and for sending the links to sites honoring Sam’s memory.  He lived a full life, with much courage and passion for his many interests and with love for his family. Even when he was already declining, he was volunteering at his church and supporting my ministry. I loved him immensely and his death has brought much pain and sadness. Knowing that he is remembered by others who knew him and who appreciate his work helps assuage that pain.

I will pass your email to Sam’s daughters.  I’m sure they will be grateful for it and for your generous offer to help us to keep Sam’s legacy alive.

Again, many thanks for your kindness.  Keep well and safe.

From Sad News: The Passing of Sam Berliner III

Frank, Don’t think Bevel Hill extended as far south as Old Country Rd. My guess the the article is referring to the crossing of the proposed Westbury Avenue. I do know that along Jericho Tpke. Bevel Hill extended westward at least halfway to Roslyn Rd.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Dave, great “now” pics. The former Motor Parkway outlines are all still there today!

Al, as the 1909 South Side Messenger article denounces the building of the proposed Jericho Tpke overhead bridge, including other proposed overhead bridges in the Bevel Hill area,  I’m wondering if Bevel Hill extended as far south to the Old Country Rd underpass, the nearest underpass to the Jericho Tpke underpass, 0.8 miles away to the south from the Mineola Sheridan Bowling Lanes?

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Al, you truly are amazing with the wealth of knowledge that you share! Thank you!

As far as the Bevel Hill name, I believe it came from a band of explorers in the area in the 1600’s with the small Mineola mound of dirt discovered by Sir Francois Bevel. Later on, the same group discovered a hilly area in California and subsequently named the area Bevely Hills, that name was slightly changed, and known as Beverly Hills today.  ...ok, that may be a made up history by me, but makes for a great story.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Incorrect information on the ‘Mackey lodge’ in the above photo. It wasn’t really a lodge, but a gatehouse for Mackay’s Harbor Hill estate. It has not been demolished and even may be restored in the future.

From Sad News: The Passing of Sam Berliner III

I know nothing about the past, but I know everything about the present!

Three pics attached:
1) Standing north of Jericho Tpk looking at former tunnel/bridge location
2) Standing south of Jericho Tpk and looking south on the LIMP, the Mineola Lodge is up past the fence on the right side
3) The Mineola Lodge as it now looks

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Art,  ..Bevel Hill,... ah yes, who doesn’t remember good ole Bevel Hill.  I got a good idea where it was located but not how it got it’s name. In the July 30,1909 issue of the South Side Messenger,  the Parkway is described as being EAST of Mineola. Thats not entirely accurate either as at the time the heart of Mineola was around the Court House/railroad station/ Nassau Hospital. You may recall that Krug’s Hotel address was East Wiliston. Also ...that entrance to the Parkway at the time was called the Jericho Turnpike Lodge, again… that entrance had no connection to Mineola It didn’t become the Mineola Lodge until 1921. Getting there. ...You may recall in my book I mentioned the Mineola lodge keeper walking up the hill west ward etc. etc. Well that hill was Bevil Hill, the area around the Sheridan Bowling Lanes. In fact,  at the time I suggested to Kienzle that the entrance should called, “Near Bevil Hill Lodge.”  He actually liked the idea but said it wouldn’t fit on the toll tickets.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Al Prete got it right about cars ID! The Ford is ‘51.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957

Apologies for letting the cat slightly out of the bag Art. I saw this post and immediately thought of this promotional book that we were discussing last week. Looking forward to seeing the post on that book.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Thanks for the comment Greg.  Material from this Mineola promotional booklet, including references to the Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races, will be featured in an upcoming post.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

The land in the area was very popular at that time. Ads found in a book promoting Mineola in 1908 as the parkway was being built.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)

Another clue is the lettering on the outside of ‘Macy’s’ in lower case as it appeared when the store was built in 1956.  When the store was enlarged, the signage was switched to uppercase, ala, ‘MACY’S’ in keeping with most of its other stores as seen in Steve Lucas’ photo from 1965.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957