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.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
Wayne - you’re right on. Excellent catenary sleuthing! See here ->
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_foto_4_a_curve_on_the_motor_parkway
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
Garden City still possesses their own unique piece of ORIGINAL 45 mile automobile history dating back 112 years. Why now bury it with blue stone?
A generous donation proposed here to help restore this rare historical stretch of automobile highway. It’s unimaginable ANY village not accepting this offer. Garden City possesses a 1/3 mile stretch of Long Island Motor Parkway, still intact, with more on the east side of Stewart Field still being ignored. What’s going on in Garden City?
From Update: Restoration of a section of the Motor Parkway in Garden City
It would be nice if there could be a way to have a socially distant ‘ceremony’ of sorts placing the first post if it were to be approved.
From Update: Restoration of a section of the Motor Parkway in Garden City
This is an excellent way to retain a visual link to the Motor Parkway in that location.
From Update: Restoration of a section of the Motor Parkway in Garden City
How did driving on the right start?
Seemed to be when the Model T was coming off the production line. But here’s an answer two websites:
Google: The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, and similar laws were passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813. Despite the developments in the US, some parts of Canada continued to drive on the left until shortly after the Second World War.
Allstate.com
https://www.allstate.com/blog/take-sides-the-history-behind-driving-on-the-left-or-right/
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
As I noted elsewhere, I actually can remember when road rollers were true STEAM rollers. Great find - thanks, Art! Kep ‘em comn’, please. As an aside - this post and the linked one remind me - when did right-hand driving become the norm in the U.S.? Sam, III
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
Doesn’t ring any bells but, just for starters, it seems to have RR bridge girders and spans a trolley RoW, if that helps anyone. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #44B Solved: A 1942 Photo of the Little Neck Parkway Motor Parkway Bridge
Oops - forgot to note that that big, bulky guy to MacKay’s left in the post-race pic is probably none other than the redoubtable Jefferson De Mont Thompson, Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission, and Director and Treasurer of the Parkway. Sam, III
From Harbor Hill- The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
As I recall, the pronunciation was actually Ma-KIGH’, which would correspond with its Scots origin. The front gate has always been prominent in my memory and here it is looking slightly west of north from the intersection of Main Street/Roslyn Road and Harbor Hill Road. Also as I recall, there were, and still may be, some remanent structures beyond the gate - a swimming pool or tennis court (Dave Russo - hint, hint). How about King Zog’s estate next? Hey, it was/is just up 106 from the VCR course (a LIMP excuse)! Sam, III
From Harbor Hill- The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
Bravo, Howard! Bravi tutti! You KNOW how much I appreciate your efforts. Sam, III
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Voted Best Blog on the North Shore
Nice investigation work, Wayne!
David - here is more information about this technique - not sure if it was novel - any others want to weigh in?
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/kleiners_korner_good_roads_magazine_motor_parkway_construction_details
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
Since the first and last sections of the 5 mile catenary test setup used these wood poles and the area is too wide open to be the Garden City area east of Hempstead Crossing (around Franklin Ave) I would make this to be indeed in the last test section presumably around the Newbridge Road area.
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
Howard, does that last photo document a then-novel construction technique being used? Previously, I have not seen any photos that clearly document the technique, only descriptions and drawn diagrams of the technique that was invented for the Motor Parkway
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
From Art Huneke’s excellent WebSite. Looks like a match. In 1908 the PRR constructed 5 miles of overhead wires east of Hempstead Crossing to test power distribution methods. The first and last sections used the basic wood poles and cross arms seen in the picture.
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
Wonderful article and Frank, thanks for the mapping!
An researcher’s old website (http://www.mackayhistory.com/MackayStories_Contents.html) contains some personal remembrances of the estate for those interested. One recounts a party for the Prince of Wales with 1200 guests and that MacKay was once clocked at 14(!) MPH.
(Father) John started the telegraph business and built the Postal Telegraph Bldg on Broadway, that exists as a landmark today. Clarence extended the business, later selling out to ITT, only to be ruined in the 1929 crash.
Father John was known as the “Bonanza King” because this strike, near Virginia City, was considered as the ultimate “bonanza” strike. A reason that a show set near Virginia City about a family named the Cartwrights was called “Bonanza.”
From Harbor Hill- The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
Howard, Clarence Mackay did invest in the Long Island Motor Parkway investing $5,000 in stock and bonds.
From Harbor Hill- The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
I stumbled upon the answer for this Foto while comparing the bridges over Little Neck Pkwy & Commonwealth Blvd. Locations are similar with some differences. This is the pkwy bridge over Little Neck Pkwy in Queens, viewing north. Like a few of these past bridges in Queens, this one was built with railroad specifications. The differences are marked in the below images.
From Mystery Foto #44B Solved: A 1942 Photo of the Little Neck Parkway Motor Parkway Bridge
Just a hunch but that picture of the LIRR freight cars delivering materials for the Motor Parkway would probably be somewhere between Merrick Ave and points just east. Those poles look a lot like they supported the experimental catenary (overhead wires) that the PRR was experimenting with in that area prior to the Penn Station build and the electrification of the Eastern area of the PRR. This is the first hint that the LIRR was involved in the building of the Motor Parkway but it makes sense since it was the most efficient way to move large amounts of material. Indeed, in the late 40s and early 50s, as we know, Levitt would use the LIRR to deliver materials for the nascent Levittown.
From Kleiner's Korner: Recently Found Motor Parkway Construction Photos
A truly wonderful and generous step.
From Update: Restoration of a section of the Motor Parkway in Garden City
Seth G:
Congratulations on this recognition! You spend a lot of time and both the quality & content of your writing makes this deserving.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Voted Best Blog on the North Shore
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