About
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.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Gary, Your first hand post was certainly enlightening and informative. Fort Nonsense ?, never heard of it, got more about it ?
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
The property in the lower right corner of the mystery photo was not the property Sam Mitchell’s family owned. That property was east of Rte. 107, and south of Jericho T’pke - it’s now a housing development. Unfortunately, the farmhouse was destroyed by fire. Several outbuildings from this farm were donated to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration - it was known as the S.S. Underhill Farm. The property on the lower right was also an Underhill property, having been in the family since 1793, and originally contained about 200 acres. It was owned by Henry Willets Underhill Jr. (1913-1990), a civil engineer, and Margaret (Peggy) Underhill (1912-1998). They gave an horsepowered treadmill and saw from the property to OBVR also. The property was then acquired by William H. Doremus (1938-2010). After his death the property was sold and is now the Bristal at Jericho assisted living. Prior to his death, I was able to acquire a collection of agricultural implements that had been used on the farm, including a wagon running gear marked with a Hicksville retailer’s name for the Nassau County Museum’s collection. What a beautiful property it was, but it’s development was very controversial as it sat on a very important water recharge location, and the possible location of Fort Nonsense. Much of the area became part of the Jericho Preserve in 1974, except the Maine Maid for economic hardship reasons. Attached are some photos I had copied from the museum’s files. The 2 color aerials from April 2,1985 show the areas included in the preserve. Notice the long gone ponds of the Malcolm farm. The B&W shows the former Malcom Barn which was destroyed by fire over 10 years ago.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
The first photo shows a new 1958 Cadillac in front of the Ford, looks modern compared to the rest of the cars.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #1: Queens
Al
I think you’re right it always seem this way to me
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #3: New Hyde Park & Searingtown
Giarratana
Mystery photo # 52
Jericho Tpke and 106 , Jericho NY
Map is upside down so it is confusing !
Millerage Inn owned by Elias Hicks
Jericho cider mill owned by Hincks ,I think !
Jericho Friends Cemetery ,Elias Hicks buried there
1904 THROUGH 1910 race ran though from Queens to Jericho Diff routes
but always was on Jericho in the area of 106 and Jericho.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
WOW! Great info by all. Love this website!
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Giarratana
Mystery photo # 52
Jericho Tpke and 106 , Jericho NY
Map is upside down so it is confusing !
Millerage Inn owned by Elias Hicks
Jericho cider mill owned by Hincks ,I think !
Jericho Friends Cemetery, Elias Hicks buried there
1904 THROUGH 1910 race ran though from Queens to Jericho Diff routes
but always was on Jericho in the area of 106 and Jericho.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Howard,... Intersection of Jericho Tpke. and Routes 106 and 107., South at top. Historic houses. Milleridge Inn. Contains part of the Willets Family home. Malcolm House, #5 Old Jericho Tpke., (north side). today part of the Jericho Historic District. Timothy Tredwell Homestead, built around 1800. Best known as the Maine Maid Inn. Cemetery. Society of Friends, (Quakers). #4 Old Jericho Tpke. the cemetery reaching the north side of Jericho Tpke., The shadow of the water tower pointing at it. The cemetery also the location of the Friends Meeting House built in 1788 and also the Friends school house built around 1793. The Meeting House still in use today. Property, right side of photo…. north of Jericho Tpke.,... Underhill Family south of Jericho, ...Willets Family. Auto inventor. Henry Royce, of Rolls-Royce. His estate was located on the west side of the Friends Cemetery. the area today occupied by the 3 office buildings complex.
Today’s Route 106 was part of the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races. Howard, I was able to determine that the photo was taken at 2:52 in the afternoon by triangulating the water tower with the Milky Way and the fraternal equinox using the Fibonacci numbers as my base.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Below is part of an aerial from the site here. Was a mystery foto a few years ago, deemed as 1963. The 2 #‘s I marked off of IU Willets and Reed shows where 2 homes are now, both built in 1964. Right off the high school entrance rd, bridge has been demolished. Remains of the slope is likely the dark area.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #3: New Hyde Park & Searingtown
North is at the bottom of the photo. 106, 107 merge at Jericho turnpike. Millridge Inn
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Came across this article pertaining to the Dudgeon in “The Autobain” of Dec. 1, 1900. Much more written about the car and its connection to LI on Sam Berliner’s website (http://sbiii.com/dudgeon.html).
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: The Dudgeon Steam Wagon- The Earliest Road Vehicle Ever Seen on Long Island
Jericho Turnpike crossing Rt 106 in Jericho. Also Old Jericho Turnpike
Historic cemetery is Jericho Friends Burial Ground
Jericho Friends Meeting House Complex is a historic Quaker meeting house complex located at 6 Old Jericho Turnpike in Jericho, Nassau County, New York. The complex consists of the meetinghouse (1788), former Friends’ schoolhouse (1793), a large gable roofed shed (ca. 1875), and the Friends’ cemetery. The meeting house is a two-story, gable roofed timber framed structure clad in wood shingles.[2] One of the people who helped build the meeting house was preacher Elias Hicks (1748 – 1830), who is buried at the cemetery within the complex.
Famous family is that of Elias Hicks. His home served as a “grand stand” for several Vanderbilt Cup Races
Re connection to Vanderbilt Cup races:
Maine Maid Inn, which is within this complex was located on the courses for the 1905, 1906 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races and is adjacent to the Friends Meeting House.
Re VC Official, Dr. W. J. Malcolm was was a staff physician for several Vanderbilt Cup Races, likely including the 1905, 1906 and 1908 races which passed directly in front of the Malcolm House.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Jericho NY. East/west (left to right) Jericho tpke. North/south rte’s 106 and 107, Merry Ln
Millerage Inn, Maine Maid Inn (now One North), Quaker Friends Meeting House, Friends Schoolhouse.
Quaker Cemetary
Former Valentine Hicks home
The Maine Maid Inn was part of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Congratulations Howard! You helped me share my family history with the Cradle Museum this year. Your influence of bridging the gap from keeping things hidden away to sharing them with many who appreciate the history is a testament of why you deserve the honor.
From Howard Kroplick named to Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society's Honor Roll for his non-profit activities
Forgot to mention the automobile inventor. Taking a guess here - the owner of the Maltby garage?
W. J. Malcolm is buried in the Friends Cemetery along with members of the Hicks, Underhill and many other early Long Island families. By the way he drove a Maxwell.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
It’s apparent in this amazing photo collection that any roadway adjacent or intersecting Robert Moses’ highways, had heavy wooden posts/rails installed upon them, including the Motor Parkway. The approach towards the Marcus Ave bridge received the same. Wish I had attended Moses’ opening of the bike path in ‘38 but my Dad was only 9 years old. Likely the parkway was still fully accessible back then.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #2: Lake Success
The location and major roads: Jericho - intersection of Rte. 106/107 and Jericho Turnpike. Old Jericho Turnpike, Cedar Swamp Road - I won’t say Merry Lane but that’s where the ballfield is and the home of the Jericho Library (where my wife works).
The historic buildings:Main Maid Inn, Milleridge Inn, Friends Meeting House, Malcolm House, Elias Hicks House, Friends School
A historic cemetery: Friends Cemetery
The prominent Long Island family that owned the property on the right corner of the Mystery Foto: Underhill
Link this location to the Vanderbilt Cup Race(s): 1904, 05, 06, 08 races.
Kudos question: Identify the former homes of a Vanderbilt Cup Race official and an automotive inventor: Race official was surgeon W. J. Malcolm.
See maps and pictures.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Just found the inventor: Harrison H. Boyce, inventor of the Boyce Moto Meter whose former residence later became the Maine Maid Inn which was originally built by Valentine Hicks.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
I believe we are directly over Jericho where Routes 106 / 107 intersect with Jericho Turnpike. South is at the top of the photo and north at the bottom. The historic buildings are the Maine Maid Inn and the Milleridge Inn. The historic cemetery is connected to the Friends Meeting House, adjacent to the Maine Maid Inn. I’m guessing the Powells are the prominent family since a Powell owned the Jericho Hotel which was located near the right corner of the photo. A visible portion of both Jericho Turnpike and/or Broadway (Hicksville Road) were part of the courses for the 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races. The race official was Dr. William J. Malcolm who was the Staff Physician for several of the races and lived in Jericho. I’m stumped on the inventor.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Jericho, looking south (top of photo). Route 106-107 convergence, both traveling south under Jericho Tpke.
Jericho Friends Meeting House Complex (1788 Quaker meeting house, 1793 Schoolhouse, 1875 Gable roofed shed, and Friends’ cemetery).
Right corner property possibly owned by the Hicks family or the Underwood family.
Various Vanderbilt Cup Racers sped through this intersection before it was a cloverleaf:
1904 - racing east on Jericho Tpke, then south on Rt 106-107
1905, 06 - racing east on Jericho Tpke, then north on Rt 106
1908 - racing west through the intersection on Jericho Tpke
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Long Island Cloverleaf that destroyed the Hamlet of Jericho
Page 300 of 1021 pages ‹ First < 298 299 300 301 302 > Last ›