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The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
Since I’m a Californian, I have no idea about the mall. I might be able to identify the cars, however. From the right (a) ‘55 Pontiac, (b) ‘49 Ford, (c) ‘55 Ford, (d) ‘54 Chevy, (e) ‘53 Olds (or maybe a Pontiac), (f) ‘56 Chrysler. . . . . . . . . Date of the photo is probably circa 1958-59.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
This looks like Mid Island Mall, later renamed Broadway Mall in Hicksville.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
As a kid who grew up near the lake, I vividly remember the grand concrete staircase that went nowhere, and always wondered what grand structure must have once justified these grand steps. Thanks so much for keeping this history alive.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #6: Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma
The car on the far left of the Mystery Friday Foto #6 is a 1956 Chrysler Windsor four-door sedan. The “V” emblem on the lower quarter confirms that it is a Windsor.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Sam was a most interesting person who will be missed by many. Besides The Motor Parkway, Sam was passionate about many aspects of his surroundings. I would encourage others to view Sam’s many web pages, even if just to get an idea of the dedication Sam brought to his many passions and his desire to share his knowledge. Thanks Sam for bringing so much to us. RIP.
Here are just two of Sam’s sites to get you started.
http://sbiii.com/rr.html
http://sbiii.com/longisld.html
And I thought it appropriate to share these two items from Sam’s website at this time.
From Sad News: The Passing of Sam Berliner III
Roosevelt Field, Garden City. The cars are facing south so the photographer is facing southeast. The cars right to left: 56 Pontiac, 50 or 51 Ford, 56 Ford, 54 Chevy? I believe this was taken in 1957 because the license plates are dark with light numbers. I remember the mall well! I use to ice skate there as a kid. The giveaway for me was the mention of Horn & Hardarts.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. May he RIP.
From Sad News: The Passing of Sam Berliner III
Roosevelt Field, from the South parking lot looking Northwest at Macy’s. Approximately from the Fall of 1957. Pictures below are from the same vicinity and time frame as the mystery shot. Cars have era appropriate license plates.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Roosevelt Field Mall from a parking lot on West side of mall looking south east.
Date: Some time in late 1950s early 1960s judging by the cars and the open mall.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Now I just realized Howard’s last NE aerial shows the former alignment perfectly. So more like opposite of the ball field between Jamaica and Willow.
From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: A 1950 aerial over the Northern State Parkway from the Cradle of Aviation Archives
Your right Al. The map below shows the east ramp from Asbury. This would be just about opposite of today’s Willow St.
From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: A 1950 aerial over the Northern State Parkway from the Cradle of Aviation Archives
One more picture of the 14th hole.
From The Golf Courses Along the Long Island Motor Parkway
The Motor Parkway ran along the right side of the 14th hole of the Glen Oaks Country Club, obviously out of bounds. The par 5, 553 yard hole ended at a “castle built of sand”, most probably referring to the multiple sand traps surrounding the green. Who knows, a very errant shot at the flag may have ended in Willie K’s. Deepdale Estate. I wonder if any cars traveling on the Motor Parkway ended up being a victim of an out of bounds shot, similar to ones I’ve made at Eisenhower Park, along Salisbury Park Drive, formerly the Motor Parkway! Artile is from The Film Daily of June 24, 1936; photos are from 1928 and 1952.
From The Golf Courses Along the Long Island Motor Parkway
Beautiful Chevy, the year I was born. Amazing maintenance and restoration well done after all these years.
From Test drive the Mercedes EQ this Sunday
Looks like the Roosevelt Field of my youth. I think the photographer is looking southeast, because the Macy’s was at the south end and the shopping center was west of the Meadowbrook Parkway, which can’t be seen.
The cars (left to right):
1956 Chrysler
1953 Dodge
1953 Chevy
1956 Ford
1951 Ford (or a ‘49 or ‘50)
1956 Pontiac (or a ‘55)
The cars on the extreme left and extreme right, not enough is visible for me to tell.
Date: 1956, the year the mall opened, based on the cars.
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Al, Brian, Regarding Asbury Ave. I think that the original east bound entrance to Northern State Pky from Glen Cove Rd. was from Asbury Ave. And, that changed with the building of the Meadowbrook Parkway thru that area. The present day eastbound entrance from Glen Cove Rd. to the Northern State is in the same alignment with Asbury Ave. The western terminus of Asbury today is at Jamaica Blvd. Once the snow clears, going to check if there are any concrete remains west of the end of Asbury Rd.
From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: A 1950 aerial over the Northern State Parkway from the Cradle of Aviation Archives
Hi, I think it’s Roosevelt Field mall before it was enclosed.. the orientation is northeast ? The car .... maybe 57 Chevy? I moved to Hempstead in 1963, so I’m guessing the year of the photo is 1960? Maria Pisano
From Mystery Foto #6 Solved: The Open-Air Roosevelt Field Mall in 1957
Soon after the first running of the Cup race, the attitudes of farmers on Long Island had changed due to the economic impact and usefulness of the automobile in transporting their goods to market. Arthur Pardington reinforced this attitude in this article first appearing in “The Automobile” and then reprinted in “Motor Talk” in May of 1907.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers
Yes, Al. I remember driving through Asbury Ave and it’s construction is similar to the original Northern State Pkwy. Knew I was parallel with the Northern State, and figured it was a service Rd.
From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: A 1950 aerial over the Northern State Parkway from the Cradle of Aviation Archives
Wondering, after the Motor Parkway sold the Petit Trianon in the late 1920s what became of the place until the fire in 1958?
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #6: Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma
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