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
Big loss for North Hempstead.
You did so many things for the town.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Well done Howard…
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Back in the late 50s my brother and cousins would walk and ride bikes on that very curve. My grandfather worked on that very section of the road and then built a house on the left side just off ace trap in Bethpage. I’m certain the incline was close to 20 degrees and it see
S like it has settled a bit. And the actual distance of the sweep was. L myth was also quite impressive. My sister n Gram and I still walk there occasionally. Gram begins studying for a degree in Automotive Restoration at Penn College this fall. The Motor Parkway (that’s what we called it as kids in the 50s) and Howard have had a giant impact on Gram!
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
Howard, well deserved! Thanks for the memories and all that you have done to preserve the fabulous history throughout the Town of North Hempstead. Where will this Historical Marker be placed? All the best in your future endeavors, Frank
—————
Howard Kroplick
In my office, the marker is mounted on cardboard!
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
Thank you for all the hard work and dedicated hours you gave to preserving the history of your county. Best Wishes and I hope you enjoy your freedom and more time to explore and discover new things about the area that you love.
From Howard Kroplick Leaves His Town Historian Position After 7 & 1/2 Years
The LIMP bridge here was removed in the early 1950’s. 1953 Historic Aerial displays what looks to be construction of the small hospital, this image doesn’t. This image was taken as late as 1952 then.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
Looking southeast in Bethpage over Stewart Avenue
The LiMP is at lower left running diagonally upper left and Stewart Avenue diagonally right.
In June 1908 ground was broken at this location for the Motor Parkway then called Jerusalem Road.
The commercial entity at the top looks like Zorn’s Poultry, established 1940.
Mid Island Hospital (St. Joseph) does not appear in the picture which would indicate the photo predates 1955.
The bridge over Stewart Avenue does not appear (removed in early 50s) so my guess is
The photo is 1954-1955 vintage.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
This photo is over Bethpage with the remains of the LIMP running diagonally from the middle of the left edge to the middle of the bottom edge. Other major roads include Stewart Avenue, Broadway, Lincoln Blvd., and Hempstead Turnpike. On June 6, 1908, the groundbreaking ceremony for the LIMP took place at approximately the northwest corner of Stewart Avenue and Albergo Court which is in the lower left quadrant of the photo. Zorn’s Poultry Farm is at the top of the photo. Since there appears to be a very small piece of Mid-Island Hospital (built 1955) to the left (east) of Zorn’s yet no evidence of construction for the Wantagh-Oyster Bay Expressway (started 1958), I’ll guess the date between those two years.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Bethpage's Important Section of the Motor Parkway & Zorn's
I didn’t knock on the door, but someone was in the driveway. And I told him he lived in the first McDonald’s and how that side of the house was a big take out window. I’m not sure if he was the homeowner or just a visitor. You only live once! No time to be shy! Gotta enjoy life!!
Btw I went in the Massapequa garage looking at original studs for possible markings / dates as per SBIII suggestion but there is nothing there.
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
Whoops, forgot one
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
I know your not shy, Dave. Did you really knock on their door and joke about wanting takeout? Maybe they’ll check out the site here and learn about their homes history. Great video by you guys, too.
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
You had me going on that mud-trap- bike-spill at Sophia St. Great shots guys - love that profile pic of the deadly banked curve. Guessing about a 20* slope I had to reach for the protractor. More like 13*.
If I remember correctly the homeowner is aware of the fast food joint history. Wonder what a Frankfurter De Luxe cost back then when Nathan’s was 5cents.
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #10 Bethpage #1
Oh, thee of little faith, Sir David! Woulds’t thou be wrong. Some specificity, prithee - are we talking about ye olde LILCO-cum-NEWSDAY lot at D-9? Sam, ye Thirde
From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court
I spent today with 1044’s cousin 1015!
From An Original 2013 Michigan "Tucker" License Plate
I was so excited to gift you that license plate. I let go of so few of those and I knew that you would enjoy it. Thank you for your friendship.
______________________________________
Howard Kroplick
John, thanks again. It has been wonderful working with you and your sons!
From An Original 2013 Michigan "Tucker" License Plate
I’m a tad skeptical.
Garden City only did this to make more parking spaces. The LIMP had nothing to do with anything except for the fact that it was in way of creating parking. That section of the LIMP has been there nice and safe for over 100 years. They cleaned up a small section. I wonder what “they plan to preserve this section” means. We shall see. Doing nothing did a wonderful job of preservation!
From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court
Checked out their website to learn the story behind the interesting architecture surrounding the museum. A creative mind came up with this design for sure!
From Current Treasures of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles
Thanks for the recommendation of the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA. Will try to catch it next time we are there.
Over weekend we went to the Gene Autry Museum of Western Art. What a treat to see how The West and LA were developed.
Also recommend the Aviation Museum in Santa Monica.
JF Purcell
Volunteer, Nassau County Photo Archives
From Current Treasures of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles
Oh well, I named 4 of the 5. A - Fred Wagner, was tough to figure.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Officials of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and Reginald Vanderbilt
Mystery Foto # 27… The photo is showing the start/finish line of the 1906 Vanderbilt cup race. Didn’t get all of the names but Photo B is William K Vanderbilt Jr. Photo E is Jefferson DeMont Thompson, AAA Board chairman. That’s all I’ve got today
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Officials of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and Reginald Vanderbilt
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