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
Sam, I’ve had my share of poison ivy, ticks, thorns while exploring. It’s a tough job out there but someone’s got to do it!
From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens
Al, I have a rep. to defend here! I actually did note the 90° alignment but got so involved in the rest of the material that I forgot to mention it. Excuses, excuses! Height didn’t catch me because so many posts are no longer at their original heights. When dug out for preservation (purloining?), those babies are LONG (and HEAVY)! Speaking of which, *IF* I can recover the post (from near the Commack Spur intersection) which I gave away, what should we do with it? As to clearing the RoW; you, Howard, and I are the practiced experts (ouch, ouch, ouch)! Sam, III
From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens
Howard, Regarding my photos of cement posts, when I took the photos I first had to clear a great deal of vegetation from them, I urge anyone visiting Parkway sections today to carry a pair of pruning shears with them and clear any growth around any remaining posts and cut back any new vegetation infringing on the ROW.
Surprised that no one picked up that the posts are not in their original alignment or height. The holes for the wires should be should in an east west not facing north south. ??? Also, at the time I took these photos, I cleared a large section of the Parkway’s surface at the west side of Francis Lewis Blvd. My guess is that it’s still there.
From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens
Howard, The Graves building had a convoluted and confusing history before it was acquired by Corpus Christi Church. It appears it was taken over by the Federal Government during WW 1 and later returned to Graves. In early 1921 it was reported to have been sold to to a Dr. William Gatewood who planned to convert the building into a sanatorium of some sort. Guess the community didn’t like that idea.
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
The abutments in the 1928 photo brought to mind some railroad bridges in Nassau County. I know the LIMP bridges in Queens were required to be constructed ‘railroad type’. Below is the LIRR bridge towards Oyster Bay. East Abutment is old type, West Abutment obviously new style. The “steps” with the old style came in handy as a way of getting to or away from the tracks.
From Kleiner's Korner: NYC Approval for Three Motor Parkway Bridges in Queens
I should have known this one. Gave up too easily. I do believe that most of the wall was recently removed. New construction replaced the school.
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
What struck me in the new pic is that you can just make out the slack (belly) in the left chain. Also, note how casual Tracy appears to be whil(e)(st) manhandling that great beast (he’s working hard in the Sci. Am./poster pic.). Sam, III
From Kleiner's Korner: From the Helck Family Collection- In Search of the 1905 Locomobile Racer
One more picture of the missing 1905 Locomobile as #5 in the 1905 Elimination Race. Automobile Topics, Sept. 23, 1905
From Kleiner's Korner: From the Helck Family Collection- In Search of the 1905 Locomobile Racer
One more . . .
From Kleiner's Kolumn: Another Long Island Race Inspired by the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Vanderbilt Cup Race drivers to be! From Automobile Topics Sept. 22 & 29, 1906.
From Kleiner's Kolumn: Another Long Island Race Inspired by the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Art - I believe your’s is the last view of 105, sorry to say, the end of the Grave Garage era. Again, another historic structure remade for? Thanks Sam for clarifying
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
The whole block will be totally transformed it appears. Amazing what a century can do
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Correct Sam. As my photo of 105 shows the fence around it and he who bought it is the same developer who bought (and demolished) 101 it’s a good bet they’ll both be gone soon.
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Got curious; 105 Searing is still there as of the latest Google Street View but 101 (by the tracks) is already gone. Sure doesn’t look very promising. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
As a one-time resident of Mineola, I am quite familiar with Corpus Christi but had completely forgotten the 17 Jun 2013 Mystery Foto: #20 thread (not that I’d have picked up on the garage). Was the garage a private storage and workshop entity or commercial? I would question the caption in the old blog about Jenatzy “posing in front of the collapsed building”; I would suggest he is in front of the new building still under construction. Another great thread; thanks. See, I’m NOT too old to learn! Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Thanks for noting the fact of the collapsed original building, Al - more photos can be found here:
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_foto_friday_20_can_you_identify_thsi_vanderbilt_cup_race_car
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Howard, Not generally known is that this building was not the original clubhouse/garage. On Sept. 6, 1906 the original structure nearing completion, constructed of concrete, collapsed, killing three workman. Graves ordered the demolition of the collapsed structure and had it rebuilt this time with a brick exterior. Though heavily involved with the Vanderbilt Cup Races, he did not purchase any stock or bonds of the Long Island Motor Parkway. But,.... he was present at the Parkway’s grand breaking ceremonies, inviting all the notables present to a luncheon at his just completed clubhouse/garage at Mineola Unable to discover why he selected this location.
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
The following photo is the only remaining residence on Searing Avenue - it was built in 1910 and is opposite the current apartment building where the Graves Garage once stood, two lots off of the railroad tracks. The home was recently purchased for $850,000 by the developer that purchased the adjoining lot (adjacent to the tracks) which up until recently had a house on it but was demolished. I’m assuming the last home shown in the photo will also be demolished to make way for a new home or office building.
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Yes Dave, I ditto that on this end as well. Best bet is to spend as much time as possible with kids, that will best guide them towards their future. I have three, one successful, and two struggling through this pandemic. They’ll make it. I’m here to see through it. Stick with them like glue, but don’t show as so
From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens
I’m always learning new stuff here Howard, Thank you for continued historic content!
From Mystery Foto #31 Solved: The Grave's Garage on Searing Avenue in Mineola
Page 348 of 1021 pages ‹ First < 346 347 348 349 350 > Last ›