Vanderbilt Cup Races

The photographer is looking east on Horace Harding Blvd. (Nassau Blvd.) in the Fresh
Meadows area. The photo is historic because this is the site of the entrance and western terminus of the LIMP. The large billboard, although in neglected condition, appears to be advertising the LIMP. I can only determine a few words like “50 miles of paved__?___” and “__?___ miles per hour” and “admission 40 cents”. The other sign is advertising “Sterlingshire” by United Associates which might be a housing development or apartment complex. Based on the vehicles and the condition of the LIMP sign and what looks like preparations for the widening of Horace Harding Blvd., I’ll guess the date to be around 1940-1941.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #40 Solved: A Historic 1938 Ground-Level View of the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

Condolences!  Memories live on forever!

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

For some reason I didn’t see the last “issue,” asking readers to identify the L. Aviation Country Club.  I know the exact spot where that photog stood when he took that photo of the swimming pool.
  Amelia and ruckenbacher definitely went there. She was I believe a charter member. There are pics and film of her arriving and departing by plane and sitting poolside having tea(!) with 3 people, 2 of whom are identified but I forget their names. One was another aviatrix . Rickenbacker did tricks at the club’s air shows.
  I think it can now be told publicly here that the Town of Hempstead Landmarks Preservation. Commission overwhelmingly agreed after hearing my presentation to erect a historical roadside marker on the site of the club’s clubhouse. They even approved my suggested wordage. I also showed them the two most appropriate and practical spots for the sign. Frank Femalina (sp?) confirmed and enhanced my visual that showed the commissioners exactly where on today’s aerial photos exactly where the club stood. ( I was only off by about 75-100 feet!) I’m sure you’ve all seen his great work on this.That was just around 3 years ago! A year ago they told me they decided to redo all of their existing signs to make them bigger, with larger letters, to make them readable from cars. That would cost a lot of money. It discouraged me. They have not been in touch with me since then, despite my calls and messages.  A couple of weeks ago they erected a larger than usual sign but with the same tiny print, marking some historic site; I forget what it is. Laura Curran spoke at the sign’s unveiling. I have given up trying to reach   them and have lost all hopes after 3 years that the marker will ever be erected. Oh, well, I did all I could. I move on.

From Mystery Foto #39 Solved: The Long Island Aviation Country Club (Circa 1940-1945)

HOWARD, JUST RECEIVED YOUR NOTIFICATION,  SAM IS REAL CAR COLLECTOR AND I FOR ONE WILL MISS HIM AS WILL MANY OTHER FRIENDS FROM THE GREATER NEW YORK REGION AACA WILL.  REST IN PEACE SAM.  ARTIE.

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

That short time period is so rich with stories and achievements! Very fascinating to learn about.

From Newsday: Soaring Success In 1939, Port Washington's Place in Aviation History Took Off

I am very saddened over this news I’m at least 20 years his senior but yet when I was around him and he worked on my 30 Ford roadster I was the son and he was the father that’s how I felt when I was around him he was a great guy on top of being a great mechanic he’ll be sorely missed by me ,my love goes to his family it is hard to lose I loved one

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

Howard so sorry for your loss and our condolences to his family Jerry and Rita

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

Howard, Sad to hear about the passing of Sam Greco. I turned to him on several occasions when I was restoring my Fulton truck, extremely knowledgeable, always helpful. The hobby will miss him.

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

So very sorry to hear this.  It was always so good to see Sam and family at Easter Parade and at The Westbury Car Show.  Always the Gentleman, and SUCH a lovely family.

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

Thanks for sharing.May he rest in peace

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

I am in shock to say the least. SO very sorry to read this news. I knew Sam and his parents as well through the many car activities that we used to all attend , especially the commemorative reruns/celebrations held to honor the anniversary of the Vanderbilt Cup Races that were organized by the Long Island Old Car Club VMCCA. For many years we also saw each other at the tuesday night cruise night on Dogwood Avenue. My sincerest condolences to the Greco family.

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

So sorry for the loss ....

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

South side of Nassau Blvd. (Horace Harding Blvd.) in Black Stump-cum-Kissena Park, Flushing (today’s Fresh Meadows), looking east at the western terminus of the LIMP (with kiosk out of sight to the right), from about today’s 194th Street.  Far sign promoted development of what later became Fresh Meadow(s) housing complex; near sign advertised the Parkway.  Muddy verge was later paved, tree-lined, and sidewalked.  Cars are from the late 30’s.  Guessing historic because it’s the only such view and probably taken just about when the LIMP closed on Easter Sunday, 16 Apr 1938.  Howzat?  Sam, III

From Updated: Mystery Foto #40 Solved: A Historic 1938 Ground-Level View of the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

Another Sam, III?  Never realized.  That somehow makes it more personal to me.  This is a sad blow to HK and the whole Greco family.  My sincerest condolences to all.  Sam, III

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

The lampposts are those of the City (which are making a comeback today). The right of way appears very wide for Queens, which is consistent with Horace Harding Blvd in the late ‘30s and the ‘40 just before and during the War. Given that I grew up in Fresh Meadows, my hunch is that the view is looking east at or near the old entrance to what was the Motor Parkway. The angle of the intersecting road might have been the gateway road into the Motor Parkway entrance at its terminus in Fresh Meadows, which would have opened in 1926.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #40 Solved: A Historic 1938 Ground-Level View of the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

Howard

My deepest sympathy to you and sam’s family

Mark

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

So sorry for this loss…

From Sad News: We Lost a Good Friend and Master Mechanic

Sign images & info.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #40 Solved: A Historic 1938 Ground-Level View of the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

*Location & Orientation of Photo - Photographer was standing on the south side of Horace Harding Blvd, facing east capturing the LIMP Western Terminus.

*Historic Significance - I believe the fading copy on the large LIMP sign was the final wording for pkwy users just before the 1938 closing. This is what I can make out - 50 MILES OF SAFE ? ? ? / SPEED LIMIT 55 MILES PER HOUR / ADMISSION 75 CT ? TAX

The other sign beyond “Sterlingshire” by United Associates is likely a real estate advertising.

*Photo date & reasoning - I’ll say 1940 - 1945, educated guess. After looking at the google map, the terminus was more expanded than I thought.

From Updated: Mystery Foto #40 Solved: A Historic 1938 Ground-Level View of the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

This proves to all “politicians will be politicians” that come election day you need to make the effort to go and vote even if the people on the ballot face no opposition. There is a write in space - your disapproval of the candidates can be made known by writing in a name that sends a message you would rather vote for a clown then the people listed who you consider clowns! Take the time to go to a public civic meeting and bring up the subject you care about that was ignored or not carried out to your satisfaction by elected officials - that will go down as in the record books that not all people were happy. It also shows support for the decision on issues of preservation like Mr. Bellmer made - make sure the local newspapers know about how unhappy people are.

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