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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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Oldyweds! Ha! The mystery photo inspired our walk around….It was great seeing you there Howard! Surprising amount of people there enjoying Eagle’s Nest on Saturday. I was a little disappointed that the garage and ‘27 Lincoln were off limits though. Pete, the docent at the top of the stairs explained they didn’t have enough staff to put someone downstairs. I was getting stopped by museum staff and was asked if I knew you because of my shirt!
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
From Vincent Seyfried Collection
From A 1946 View of the Broad Hollow Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge in Melville
Edith - Attached below are images of the Melville area, including your Huntington home superimposed upon it.
Robert - I know only one Vincent Seyfried photo of the bridge, attached below. Haven’t read his book yet.
From A 1946 View of the Broad Hollow Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge in Melville
The mystery photo inspired a walk! Nice to see the incredible amount of people there appreciating Eagles Nest that day.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
Believe Vincent Seyfried had a similar view in his book on the Huntington Trolley. This a great shot!
Am on short rations with e-mails until Queens Library reopens to public with computer access. Am writing this from Richfield Springs library about 25 miles north of Cooperstown. Will have access for only a few more days, then back to Queens and isolation.
From A 1946 View of the Broad Hollow Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge in Melville
Willie’s place in Centreport
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
Willie K’s summer home Eagle’s Nest on Little Neck Rd, Centerport, home of today’s Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. Guessing 1930’s, the grass field of the former golf course remains today
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
Great detailed observation, Greg. Details of the early races are becoming clearer.
From The 1906 French Grand Prix-The Forerunner of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
That’s Willie K.‘s Centerport mansion “Eagle’s Nest” with its 10 hole private golf course. A full round of 18 holes was Par-60 requiring several holes to be played more than once. In addition to the main house, we can see the boat house, hall of fishes, carriage house, and tennis court but not the seaplane hangar which wasn’t completed until 1935. Therefore, I think I’ll guess the date to be around 1933.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
A secret weapon….Removable wheels ended up being the reason why many won in 1906. Amazing to think technology was there for electric cars and other advanced items, but not an inflated spare tire.
While it initially helped, it could have hindered as well. during the 1906 Vanderbilt Elimination trials, Hubert LeBlon experienced more time lost due to the removable rim. When he had a puncture, he found himself at the Old Westbury tire station with a tire crew unfamiliar with the removable rim. After 5 minutes, he ended up changing the tire himself.
From The 1906 French Grand Prix-The Forerunner of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Verrrry interesting! Making the assumption we’re looking north puts it on the Sound. First shot was the Creek Club in Lattingtown; nope. Next, Sands Point Golf Club; N.G. On Peconic - Sebonac? No. Not on Great South Bay. Hmm. Love it! Sam, III
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
It is Willie K’s Centerport estate Eagle’s Nest.
The first tee was on the roof of his Hall of Fishes, in the lower left of the close up. The main house is in the center, with the bridge that brought cars to the main entrance.
The Boat House and pier, at the top of the photo, is where he docked his yachts, the last being the Alva.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
It is Willie K’ s Centerport estate Eagle’s Nest.
His Hall of Fishes, at the lower left of the first closeup, displayed his marine collections. It’s roof was the tee for the first hole of the golf course.
The mansion itself is the building in the fourth closeup, while the fifth closeup is the Boathouse and the pier where he docked his yacht Alva.
I believe the photo is prior to the 1935 Memorial Wing addition.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
It is Willie K’ s Centerport estate Eagle’s Nest.
His Hall of Fishes, at the lower left of the first closeup, displayed his marine collections. It’s roof was the tee for the first hole of the golf course.
The mansion itself is the building in the fourth closeup, while the fifth closeup is the Boathouse and the pier where he docked his yacht Alva.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
Currently the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
180 Little Neck Road,
Centerport, New York 11721
Willie K. Vanderbilt’s original estate golf course
Eagle’s Nest
I would guess 1948 is the aerial.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
With respect, but isn’t the blue line the present multi-lane Route 110; whereas, the old Route 110 starts near the Church in the Wildwood and then winds itself to finally come out near the junction of the new 110 and PineLawn Rd… or has age finally failed to catch up with memory (new 110 being the same as the former Cross-Island Trolley line)?
caught up ?whioch nows runs to Mr McCarthy…
From A 1946 View of the Broad Hollow Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge in Melville
Location Centerport Long Island.
Golf course private course at Vanderbilt Estate
Buildings bottom left Mueseum of Vanderbilts world cruising.
Bridge which leads to the main gate tower to court yard
Large building the Eagles nest Vanderbilt Estate
Pier and dock for the Alva yacht
Semi circle of Roman coulums where I was photographed in my MGTF at a car show
Photo most likely in the 30s or 40s
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
That would be the par 27, 9 hole private golf course on Willie K’s estate, Eagle’s Nest in Centerport, NY. Willie and freinds would tee off from the roof of the building in the foreground, looking at Long Island Sound. In 1999, Suffolk County restored the golf course as a public course (I don’t believe its still around however).
Major buildings are the main house, boathouse, chauffer’s quarters and the Hall of Fishes.
Circa 1940s.
First pic is from “North Shore Country Homes”, other two are The New York Times of Oct. 24, 1999.
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
This is Vanderbilt’s private golf course at his Residence in Centerport Long Island overlooking Northport Harbor (Eagle Nest)
From Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K's Private Eagle's Nest Golf Course
1929 architect’s drawing of the proposed factory/hanger of the American Aeronautical Corporation’s facility on Manhasset Isle and two of its seaplanes - the S-56 and S-62. From Air Transportation, June 22, 1929.
From Updated: Historic Seaplane Milestones at Manhasset Bay
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