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.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Ooh; one for each foot! Whatcha t’ink, Howard? Sam, III
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Howard I
Good idea!
From Video: Restored Tucker 1040 Sold for $1.45 Million at RM Auctions
Bob C.
i just want to thank you Howard for all you do throughout the year ... i wish you good health and happiness for 19 and beyond
Bob
From The Top Twenty-Five 2018 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
The story behind the “Dante City” is most interesting to me.
From The Top Twenty-Five 2018 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
The Creedmoor bridge in Queens, used as a pedestrian and possibly vehicle overpass over the LIMP. (“Highway ” bridge) connecting Creedmoor State Hospital properties.
The two pillar supports are unique and different from other LIMP bridges.
The background buildings appear to be hospital buildings.
Approximate date :1925 based on looks of auto.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
SO the last line of the description states that “a car which is most certainly the finest restored example available today at any price.” I assume this is from the RM auction catalog? I wish they would clarify that a little better - is it the finest restored example of any of the Tuckers existing today ? or just the finest example available for sale ? or what? A very bold statement indeed, if they mean it is the finest example extant. And if so who determined that - an “expert” ?? Great auction company but the hype perhaps is a little out of hand and at least to me some words could have been chosen more carefully.
From Video: Restored Tucker 1040 Sold for $1.45 Million at RM Auctions
Excellent find Howard. I’ve seen Martens’ videos of the ‘64-‘65 NY World’s Fair but managed to miss this gem. After verifying, I now see he also filmed the ‘39-‘40 World’s Fair. Can’t wait to check that one out.
Not sure about Old Courthouse Bridge, but if so, they’re standing on the west side of the bridge with photo facing NE. It’s the only way to light up that abutment wall that’s facing southward. To include lighting up the bridge (as shown), the photo had to be taken sometime in the afternoon.
The bridge in the photo however is single metal rail. All the other LIMP highway bridges in photos are all double railed (including farmway wooden rails). The only bridge in photos that matches is the Westbury bridge. And as crazy as this sounds, a possibility that they’re standing below the Motor Pkwy on Westbury Rd, on the south side of the bridge (bridge facing southward, abutment wall facing southeastward). The closest LIMP exits from here are Meadowbrook lodge to the west, and LIACC temporary entrance/exit to the east.
To continue, the other photo of the couple cuddling at the passenger door, shows a building in the background (outside driver’s window) resembling the double stacked chimney LIACC clubhouse. But I can’t verify the photo’s location/position. I suspect it was taken on the LIMP bend in Levittown by Carnation Rd, and then they exited at LIACC.
The Martens’ are from College Point, so likely entered the Motor Parkway from the Western Terminus, and exited at LIACC to Westbury Road. No more Starbucks coffee for me, goodnite!
From From A Grandfather's Photo Album: The Durant Special on the Motor Parkway in 1923
Safe to say this image will replace/become a Bridge Series main photo!
Location & Orientation: Oakland Gardens, Queens NY. View is SW, then curving a true west.
ID Bridge & Purpose: Creedmoor Hwy Type that provided vehicle access on either side of the LIMP. Hospital buildings to south, farm fields to north. Guess this overpass was long enough to require 2 steel supports.
Building in distance: large building for Brooklyn or Creedmoor Hospital.
Owner of Auto: Thinking the owner may be a road inspector for the Motor Parkway. The Auto is parked in the grass, owner likely snapped this photo and made notes about the condition of the boundary wire fencing.
Time of Image/Rationale: I’ll say February 1930. The bend to the west looks to be original, before the re-locating to the north due to Union Tpke widening.
I’m skipping the Kudo. Happy New Year to All!
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
-Identify the location and orientation of the photographer
On the LIMP (West bound going away from the photographer) looking through the Creedmoor bridge
-Identify the Motor Parkway Bridge and its original purpose
Creedmoor Bridge; a highway bridge connecting the properties belonging to the State Hospital at Creedmoor.
-Identify the building in the background
Creedmore. That specific building still stands and houses the Lifeline Center For Child Development.
-Who was the likely owner of the automobile seen in the Mystery Foto?
My first guess would be the photographer of the photo.
-What was the month and year of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.
Nov 27, 1928, prior to Union Tpke expansion
-Kudos question: This image can be found on which online photo database?
NYC Dept. of Records
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~32~32~1153000~561862:bpq_00724-a?qvq=q:Motor+Parkway&mi=12&trs=14
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Changing answer - looking west.
And original bridge connecting parts of the Creed farm.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Identify the location and orientation of the photographer
Queens, 1500 feet east of Winchester Blvd. looking east
Identify the Motor Parkway Bridge and its original purpose
Creedmoor Bridge, original highway bridge built in 1912.
Identify the building in the background: Creedmoor hospital building. One source also said a National Guard building was also in the area.
Who was the likely owner of the automobile seen in the Mystery Foto? Three choices: Relative of Howard, Willie K. himself or toll-keeper of the nearest lodge.
What was the month and year of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale. Nov. 27, 1928. Caption on actual photo.
Kudos question: This image can be found on which online photo database?
Queens Borough President archives, NYC Municipal digital archives
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
My guess too, Brian!
From From A Grandfather's Photo Album: The Durant Special on the Motor Parkway in 1923
This is great! Old Courthouse Rd Hwy Bridge is jumping out of my head, east or west.
From From A Grandfather's Photo Album: The Durant Special on the Motor Parkway in 1923
I know this was done a few years ago but thought I would ask.
Is the photo of the Adam Klein Farm? I am a descendant and would love to get a copy. If you know of an archive of area photos please let me know. Thanks
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Howard Kroplick
Rich, let me know the specific area of Queens that you would like to see and I will send you several early aerials.
From Mystery Foto #40 Solved: The 73rd Street Motor Parkway Bridge in 1927 Looking East
Another amazing photo with the driver’s view traveling down the Motor Parkway! Location is at Creedmoor highway bridge, in today’s hospital rear parking lot, looking SW towards the former Creedmoor hospital complex once located south of Union Tpke. The bright abutment wall was located on the northeast corner of the Creedmoor bridge (1912-1940s). The opposite facing photo looking NE, has its bright abutment wall once located on the northwest corner of the bridge. This is the original Motor Parkway roadway (1912-1932) before being relocated to accommodate expansion of nearby Union Turnpike. The Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital opened here in 1912, so this bridge likely was used as a farmway bridge to connect the lands. I have suspicion this photo was taken soon after the bridge was built in winter of 1912. The auto likely belongs to the unknown photographer. No clue where this gem was found but anticipating the answers to find out.
Great photo to end the mystery year. Thank you Syd and Howard for this holiday treat.
Hoping a safe and happy 2019 to all!
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1396j0_672hYkvbcNFJInbc1mXNJspD9f&ll=40.74155505816334,-73.73021411336094&z=18
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Great Photo !!! Great Find !!!
LIMP looking on what is today the Credemore property. Just east of Winchester Blvd, and north of Union Tpke. Original used as pedestrian bridge.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
I’m with you Lee. This one’s a little tougher than usual. The answer’s out there somewhere. It’s just a matter of time. Stand by
From Update #2: In Search of the Mystery Camp Mills "New York" Road
Merry Christmas to all and the best into the year to come.
From Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Regarding Francis Lewis Blvd, it was previously named Cross Island Boulevard, all the way to Whitestone. My great grandparents lived on it in Whitestone. The Whitestone portion was formerly North 11th Street. And going back further I believe Francis Lewis Blvd followed the ancient Whitestone Road (as in the road “to Whitestone.” I could be wrong about some of this. Various censuses confirm some of the name changes.
I live a stone’s throw from the Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows and the 73rd Ave bridge. It’s wonderful Parks is doing this. Is it the Queens Historical Society involved?
From Updated: My Favorite Queens Motor Parkway Images for the New York City Parks Department
These pictures are amazing - very nice
From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Construction Equipment of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Ariejan Bos
This is the Locomobile with Joe Tracy at the wheel and Al Poole as his mechanician during the 1906 Eliminating Trials for the Vanderbilt Cup. I haven’t seen this photo before, but it is obvious indeed that the Locomobile is experiencing tire troubles here. According to the report in the Scientific American of September 29th the Locomobile had suffered from tire trouble during the first round. The Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal (in their October issue) reports only that the car had a 5 minute delay during the second half of the first round, “his first and last for the day, as the event proved”. The conclusion is that the photo must have been taken during this delay. Tracy would eventually win the trials without too much effort.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: Tracy and Poole Changing A Tire During the 1906 American Elimination Race
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