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
Natalie Naylor:
Howard,
I’m sorry that you’ve resigned as Historian of North Hempstead Town. You’ve been an excellent town historian and leader in the Long Island history community as well. I hope you’ll continue to lend your talents to the Roslyn Landmark Society (I have no doubts that you’ll continue with the Vanderbilt Cup Races).
Natalie
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Howard Kroplick
Natalie, yes, I am still president of the Roslyn Landmark Society and still posting away on this website.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
We’ll miss you in that capacity, Howard.
JF Purcell
Nassau County Photo Archives
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Still President of L.I. Motor Parkway Preservation Society, I hope??
More quality time with your sweetie Roz hopefully??
The historical marker in your office?, not in your ‘Trophy Room’ with your many other
awards?? BE WELL HOWARD!!
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Howard Kroplick
Yes, still president of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
My wife ( maiden - Paula Ventimiglia ) remembers Wayne Wink from Uniondale High School Class of 1984.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
LIMP crossing Stewart Ave, just a bit east of the turn north into Dead Man’s Curve.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
Awesome James, stay tuned for the next post. Your input will be helpful!
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
Good luck to the Town of North Hempstead. It’s not going to be easy to replace Howard with his amazing knowledge and passion for LI history.
You do great work Howard. Thank you.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
one more set. If you are ever out that way take a look of what it might have been like to visit. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity!
From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone
more . . . just noticed that a couple more letters on the sign are missing!
From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone
more . . .
From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone
Was in Southampton on July 13 and took a trip to the museum grounds. Not much different from Howard’s visit in March but sure are lots of trucks. And fire truck is still there. And there’s a snowman across the street watching out for trespassers. I must have hidden myself well.
From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone
Congratulations Howard… Job will done… awesome sign… It was fun!!
Sincerely
John
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Howard Kroplick
John, you are always my right-hand guy! Thanks!
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
The dedication, enthusiasm and skill that Howard has devoted to the Town Historian position is immense. Our town owes him an enormous debt of gratitude. And besides that he is just such a nice guy.
Thank you Howard!
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Good job Howard!
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
i can only guess the houses built in a place called Levittown, NY. the rest i can not figure out.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
-What is the location of this Mystery Foto?
Looking SW over Bethpage just slightly West of Dead Man’s curve
-Identify the location of the Motor Parkway and the major roads in the aerial
LIMP located diagonally across the lower left hand corner of the photo. Stewart Ave (Lower) and Broadway (Upper) intersecting the LIMP
-What important event occurred in this section of the Motor Parkway?
Groundbreaking for the start of the LIMP construction
-What commercial entity is located in the upper section of the aerial?
St. Joseph Hospital and maybe just a tiny glimpse of Zorns!
-Date the Mystery Foto. Provide a rationale.
1951 based upon construction dates of various homes.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
You are an inspiration to many for your respect for the history that surrounds you - the Long Island Motor Parkway, the autos that ran the race, your enthusiasm and to share your love for vintage automobiles, to the documentation of the Town of North Hempstead history. Job well done and to be proud of.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Oh, this is neat; I recognised it instantly as OCR/WestburyAve. and then all sorts of other locales, not ONE of which pans out! Hmm. Good one, Brian! Sam, III
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
Good one Brian! It took two days searching 3 counties but I believe the tricky orientation was the culprit this time. We’re at Lincoln Blvd in Bethpage closely resembling Shiloh Ave in Queens. The bottom center grass field is the site of the 1908 Motor Parkway Ground Breaking Ceremony. Road work started soon after the ceremony ended on June 6. James Spina’s granddad was there. The train must have run through the center of the ceremony site. The photo shows the crowd roped off to the sides, leaving an open area at the center. The Stewart Ave (Jerusalem Rd) bridge has already been removed since the ‘50s. Photographer is looking SE. Motor Parkway is diagonal in bottom left corner missing its bridge, Arthur Ave parallel to LIMP on its left (north), Central RR Row dirt path parallel to LIMP on its right. Hemp Tpke diagonal at the top right corner. New Island Hospital on top, later St. Joseph Hospital. New Island was established in 1999. Is this photo really ca. 1999? It doesn’t appear to be. Looking forward to the answers.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
Such a genuine gesture of your colleague’s to leave you with a signed and sealed Letter of Proclamation along with your own Historical Marker, Howard. It comes as no surprise that you are highly regarded by all.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
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