Vanderbilt Cup Races

Al, a few years ago Brian and I investigated the same spot where the original RoW would’ve converged with today’s greenway. By then we could not find evidence of pavement/posts with the overgrowth having taken over. The existing short-path quickly drops down, serving as today’s Bell Blvd bridge abutment. I’ve yet to see a photo of the curved parkway as it heads towards and over the CRR bridge. I’m curious if Howard’s mystery #41 photo has an opposite facing sister showing the bridge.

I failed to mention motorists were also reaching the Rocky Hill toll booth from a temporary ramp created over time at 73 Ave. Also realized that cars stopping at the Rocky Hill booth had to stop again at the Great Neck kiosk just 3 miles down the road. Seems the frequent stops was an inconvenience on a road intended for uninterrupted flow.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

Sorry for the double posting, I’m new at this ‘Attach image files:’ wasn’t sure if it’s went thru because of ‘Error’ message when I had ‘SUBMIT’.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Did some research of the ‘Farnsworth’ Estates enclosed are before and now, that whole estate is located in the ‘village of Matinecock’, across Planting Field Rd. is the former Cole Estate that was also around that time now known as Planting Field Arboretum a 400+ acre state park in Upper Brookville that has a Oyster Bay address,  Farnsworth Estate could have a Locust Valley address also. The garage is the only one to survived. The old entry gate is located at SE corner of Chicken Valley Rd. and Oyster Bay Rd. By the way anybody can enlighten me about The Classic Car magazine?

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

You are correct Mark, that is where it is. That is the original mansion gate, and yes it’s definitely still there.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Did some research of the ‘Farnsworth’ Estates enclosed are before and now, that whole estate is located in the ‘village of Matinecock’, across Planting Field Rd. is the former Cole Estate that was also around that time now known as Planting Field Arboretum a 400+ acre state park in Upper Brookville that has a Oyster Bay address,  Farnsworth Estate could have a Locust Valley address also. The garage is the only one to survived. The old entry gate appears to be located at corner of Chicken Valley Rd. and Oyster Bay Rd. In Google street scene it doesn’t show the gate, I’ll drive by now to see if it’s there?

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Update: Photo credits have been added.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Weird map - it shows the gate SOUTH of OB Rd.  Which way were you facing when you took the second pic (facing the fence), Dave?  Mayhap we should do this off-line or start a new thread continuing Farnsworth coverage in the 24 Oct 2018 blog post (with the gate ca, 1930).  Sam, III

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Howard is being kind in not mentioning that when I supplied him with this photo I told him I thought we were looking west at the Bell Blvd. bridge and the cut on the left was the old ROW of the Parkway.  in 1996 there still were traces of asphalt of the original Parkway row on the east side of Bell Blvd. Over a period of several weeks that year I cut a path on the old ROW from the new ROW to Bell Blvd. There were several broken posts lying about.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

I find it quite disheartening when elected officials promise to preserve in public but once behind closed doors enact or sign off on documents and permits that totally negate there promises. I always hope that we can preserve history, learn from it both the good and the bad. I hope another learning opportunity is not lost. Keep on motoring down the road of life.

From Update: A Proposal to the Village of Garden City To Restore the Motor Parkway Concrete Posts Near Their Parking Lot

Check it out SB3

http://www.oldlongisland.com/2008/12/farnsworth-front-gate.html?m=1

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Perhaps we’re getting too far afield here.  ???  I remember those old gate posts but weren’t they on the WEST side of CVRd., across CVRd. from the Bird estate?  As I recall, the Bird mansion was on the EAST side, north of the garage.  Another mansion, p’raps?  Sam, III

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

I may be a wee bit late, but you’re a wee bit wrong!

I’m not talking about a gate, I’m talking about the original, magnificent OLD entry gate to the mansion, hidden in the woods. See pics.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Dave R. - kinda looks like you’re a wee bit late for those gates.  Attached is looking NNE at the corner.  Sam, III

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

I’m not a car guy, but I’m very familiar with this location. About two years ago a new owner bought the place, renovated/upgraded all of the garage space. My company did some work in there. The owner was nice enough to show me around before the renovation, as you know I love that stuff. Above the garages was always some living space. There were stables, as you know all the old estates had stables. The new owner is very much a car guy so maybe there will be some more shows in the future. I begged him not to remove the original mansion entry pillars that still remain on the corner of chicken valley and oyster bay road. I love ruins. We shall see!

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Bob, thanks.

Sadly, Anthony Causi, the Newsday photographer for this assignment, passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 48 years in April. Be safe everyone! Wear a mask!

From Newsday: Ready for HIS STORY

Thanks Sam! Haven’t been up there in 20+ years! that field shown next to the garages was where all the auction attendees parked their cars which as I mentioned included a lot of pre WII era classic cars. Quiz me anytime you like! Glad to have any and all information to get the story correct - ALWAYS!

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

Mark S. - far be it from me to quiz Walt but - not quite.  The garage complex is very much still there but sits one “lot” in from CVRd. (see attached aerial).  Sam, III

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

This looks like it’s in Oakland Gardens Queens, with the exit ramps to Springfield Blvd facing west.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: A 1996 of the Entrance and Exit Ramps to Springfield Boulevard at the Rocky Hill Lodge Site

the garages should be on the NE corner of Chicken Valley Road and Planting Fields Rd.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics

the garages had been converted into housing after the auction of the cars and were on the corner of the road that leads to the Planting Fields estate and the main gates to enter that estate ( no longer used for years) are not far away from the garages in question . The main ( Bird’s) house was demolished years ago as it was left to ruin when Mrs. Bird went to Europe to spend the rest of her life.

From The Classic Car Magazine: The Wallis Bird Estate Classics