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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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Recent Comments
Al - You bring up great points. Construction or demolition? The photo showing exposed rebar is likely demolition, but it is unknown if this series of photos were all taken at the same time. In my opinion they were. The photo properties/quality are all the same, likely taken at the same time. So we’re likely witnessing the demolition of a bridge. I’m almost certain the mystery photo is looking southeast towards the west bridge, with different light accent on each abutment wall, providing photo orientation. It is still unclear which bridge was removed first; neither one had an urgency to be removed, being in their remote location. With the aerial that Greg presented (below), you can see the west bridge descending into the newly built east polo field area. I love this great detective work. We’ll get it solved soon!
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
Identify the location, airport and orientation of the photographer
> The photographer is at a few thousand feet above Farmingdale Republic Airport looking generally north
Although not visible, where is the Motor Parkway in the aerial?
> I would not be too sure there isn’t a few pixels of the LIMP as it runs left and right along the top of this photo.
Link this airport with many of the aerials on VanderbiltCupRaces.com .
> Google was not my friend on this.
What other historic property can be seen in the Mystery Foto?
> Pinelawn Cemetary is on the top right.
Broadhollow Road / Rt 110 runs left top to center bottom.
The buildings of Republic Aviation are at the north end of the field.
What was the date of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.
> Post 1939 when Republic took over from Grumman and built the three hangers and control tower.
With all the activity there I would put 1945 as the latest date.
Current Overhead:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6955423,-73.4216622,1893a,35y,355.05h,66.55t/data=!3m1!1e3
From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Republic Airport in East Farmingdale in 1951
Wonder how the Raymond Ct residents feel about of what’s to be? Future parking area will be VERY close to the ballfields. Good chance of some foul balls landing on vehicles.
From Update: Garden City Board of Trustees Met and Agreed Not to Destroy the Long Island Motor Parkway Pavement & Concrete
This is the Republic Fairchild airport and aircraft factory in Farmingdale. The photographer is looking north with rt 110 (Broadhollow Rd) running from top to bottom on a left to right diagonal. Just north of the plant is Conklin Street and the LIRR main line. https://sites.google.com/site/lirepublicairporths/new2 has a picture from the 1950s that seems to match. The LILCO gas globe is also a clincher. Judging from the large number of cars in the parking lot and their approximate style, this would be the 1950s. Pinelawn National Cemetery would be in the upper right of the photo. That may be the Pinelawn RR station in the extreme upper right corner. The Motor Parkway would be along the north and east boundaries of the cemetery.
From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Republic Airport in East Farmingdale in 1951
-Identify the location, airport and orientation of the photographer
Looking North up Route 110 at What is now Republic Airport in Farmingdale.
-Although not visible, where is the Motor Parkway in the aerial?
Way up on the top far off in the background starting from about where the sand pits are, to around Colonial Springs Rd.
-Link this airport with many of the aerials on VanderbiltCupRaces.com.
The flying field was developed in 1928 and was originally owned and operated by Fairchild Engine & Airplane Manufacturing Company who was responsible for photographing many of the aerials.
-What other historic property can be seen in the Mystery Foto?
Very far off, but unseen is the Huntington Historical cemetery, St. Rose home for girls, the future site of the National Cemetery, and maybe a blob that might be the Huntington Toll lodge?
-What was the date of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.
Judging by buildings, runways and similar look to other aerials, I’ll say 1954.
From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Republic Airport in East Farmingdale in 1951
No longer being a Nassau resident, I have no say in this appalling matter but I beg all of you to move Heaven and earth prevent such desecration. We lost when LIPA went ahead and bulldozed the beautiful banked curve in Bethpage S.P., <http://sbiii.com/limpxpl2.html#bspatroc> and <http://sbiii.com/limpxpl3.html#bspevdnc>; let’s not let it happen again, PLEASE. DO SOMETHING! Sam, III
From Update: Garden City Board of Trustees Met and Agreed Not to Destroy the Long Island Motor Parkway Pavement & Concrete
I convinced myself this was the Oyster Bay Branch, and apparently I’m the only one who thought so : ) lol ! A tower is next to both the Mineola & East Williston overpasses. Similar bridge designs, and both double track. Thought the train was blocking the view of the 2 towers on the east side, the 3rd tower crosses to the west side before IU Willets, the towers continue north & west side of the tracks.
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
Sam - An amazing answer without even trying! I too saw the red flags on those low poles. I’ve witnessed them before in other sections of early Long Island. Great stuff!
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
Agreeing with Al & Greg, that 1 image is the demolition of a bridge, possibly the LIMP HWY BRIDGE in 1944 ( above sketch ). Glad Otto took an interest with it all.
Great closeup Greg, didn’t realize the high walls for the POLO BRIDGE. Makes sense with the horses. Wish I could make out these walls on the BRIDGE still remaining in Howard’s 1951 image.
Thought the 3 images below would be interesting to see. Years 1919 & 1928 show the LIMP HWY BRIDGE, prior to the POLO BRIDGE being constructed. Then 1937, those high walls are evident.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
Nice event - lots of cars.
From Today's Classic Car Tribute Cruise to NUMC, East Meadow, 5:00 pm Monday, May 4, 2020
Below:
Semaphore, courtesy PBase.com
Big Boy 4-8-8-4, courtesy TrainsAreFun.com
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
There were three bridges that went over railroad tracks on the Motor Parkway’s forty-five mile run; Oyster Bay-LIRR bridge in East Williston, Mineola-LIRR bridge, and the Central Ave-LIRR bridge in Bethpage (Central Park). Almost certain this view is looking west on the Mineola line (train heading east). Sunlight shadow below the head lamp is pointing north. #112 steam just passed the Mineola-LIRR Bridge and is exactly 1/4 mile east of it at the semaphore (today there is a lighted tower in its place). It continues to ascend towards the Glen Cove Rd trestle, just 400 feet west of it. Photo was taken before 1955 when steam was replaced with diesel. This type semaphore was still being used until 1962. Looking forward to this week’s answers. I love trains!
Below:
Oyster Bay-LIRR bridge, courtesy Ron Ridolph
Mineola-LIRR bridge, courtesy Ron Ridolph
Central Ave-LIRR bridge, courtesy VanderbiltCupRaces.com
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
Greg O. What a tremendous amount of detailed research you have done, thanks for sharing. Regarding your comments about the horses moving between the dirt path and the east bridge, first, i never picked it up. My first thought was…Nah, why would they do that, horses don’t like hard solid surfaces. Thinking more about it I now believe you have it right. In April 1933 the Town of Hempstead officially abandoned the Sheep’s Pen Road after BEING FENCED OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS ! It makes sense that the approaches to the the Sheep’s Pen Road bridge would blocked off as the bridge was the Town’s responsibility. Your scenario makes absolute sense. Again, great digging and enlightenment
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
I spent most of this weekend with what little time I had looking at the twin Roosevelt Field bridges and dint leave myself any time for this one, so I’ll just guess and go off some answers from a similar mystery photo from Feb 2016, of what looks to be the same model of train.
-Identify the exact location of the train, the LIRR track and orientation of the photographer. Provide a rationale.
Way off in the distance to the left of the bridge and just above the back of the train, there appears to be a very faint image of some sort of transmission antenna. I know of one near the Mineola LIRR bridge over the main line tracks, so my guess is this is down the tracks East of the bridge with the photographer looking West down the tracks. I posted a shot of the bridge coming down in the 80’s with the base of that possible tower in the removal photo. If I knew where marker ‘203’ was located, I’d have the exact spot….
-Identify the train.
Looks to be the same as the 2016 mystery photo, so the guess would be a LIRR G-5 class ( 4-6-0 ) steam engine
-Name all the bridges that went over the Motor Parkway.
If by this, the question means ‘highway bridges’ meaning the LIMP went under the crossroads, the list would be West to East; Creedmoor bridge, Smith Farmway bridge, Old Courthouse Rd bridge, Wheatley Golfway bridge, Jericho Tpke bridge, Old Country Rd bridge, Mayan ruins, the twin bridges at Roosevelt Field, Stewart Ave bridge, Carmen Ave bridge, Jerusalem Ave bridge, Bloomingdale Rd bridge, Nibbe Farmway bridge, Powell Ave bridge, Clody farmway bridge, Ezekiel Smith farmway bridge (Maxess)....and I think that’s all of the ‘highway’ bridges.
-What was the approximate year of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.
No rationale here except that It has a similar ‘feel’ to the 2016 mystery photo and will guess the same year as that and say 1949.
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
Is this rain or shine?
From Today's Classic Car Tribute Cruise to NUMC, East Meadow, 5:00 pm Monday, May 4, 2020
Location of train - A eastbound freight on track#2 Mineola/Carle place border just
west of Glen Cove Rd. at westbound signal 203. The signal is
20.3 miles east of the Long Island City portals. Mineola station
is 19 miles east of LIC. Eastbound signals numbers are
displayed in even numbers and westbound in odd. The
photographer is facing west towards Mineola and looking
at the LIMP bridge. You can see in the photo on the south side
of the tracks and bridge a Lilco high tension tower.
Train - westbound freight being pulled by engine #112, a 1916 Brooks/Alco H10
All bridges over LIMP - Vanderbilt farmway
Smith farmway
Old Courthouse
Wheatly Hills
Jericho turnpike
Old Country Rd
Roosevelt Field
Polo field
Stewart Ave
Carman Ave
Jerusalem Ave
Bloomingdale Rd
Plainview Rd
Botto farmway
Smith/ Maxess Rd
Ruland Rd
Wellwood Ave
Year of Photo - early 1940’s the installation of the Lilco tower, installed after the
close of the LIMP. There is a lack of buildings as compared to the
1950 my Nassau photo.
Attached Photos #1 looking south along LIMP and a view of the Lilco tower on
the south side of the tracks.
#2 looking north along LIMP toward old bridge location and
the Lilco tower
#3 photo of sister engine # 110 a 1916 Brooks/Alco
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
Al, I also now agree with your assessment of the second bridge photo being demolition and not construction.
Aside from your comments on the visible reinforcing wire, the lower, smooth part of the abutment looks to be weathered with even some mature foliage at the very lower edge of the photo. There also appears to be something painted on the abutment on the lower right but partially obscured by a wooden post. My best guess is that it original wording was ‘post no bills’, which of course would not already be painted on a partially constructed abutment. The wooden scaffolding in the background were not forms as originally thought, but probably placed to avoid the embankment soil from collapsing once the abutment is completely removed
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
Your theory of the the new polo fields bridge to the East side of the old Roosevelt Field bridge would dictate that there had to be some sort of worn path crossing the dirt path leading to, and away from the Roosevelt bridge. Horses could walk the dirt path to the West of the new paved road, then, just before the rise of the South embankment, or just after the rise of the North embankment, they cross over the dirt Roosevelt Field pathway towards the polo fields. Below are two spots I have identified them possibly doing just that. See below in my photos, the spots where this could have been are crudely marked by my arrows.
But I think the most conclusive are the demo plans;
You can see the differences in sizes of the bridges on the plans as well as the blown up aerial I posted in my last comment above. On the plans of the proposed bridge to demolish, the smaller of the two bridges shows horse gates at the end of the North embankment of the East bridge. Interestingly, there are are gates leading out to the East, North, and yes, to the West towards the polo fields. Property ownership marked on the plans determines direction.
So, I think this may the most proof of your theory that we have so far. While illogical to place the bridges on the opposite sides of where their destinations are, I am now leaning towards your thinking.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
Al, as promised after our discussion, I looked into this further, but like you, didn’t come up with any conclusive documentation, but the more I look at various photos, I do see a little more evidence to help your theory. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical when you first said it, but here’s my 2 cents since at the moment, there’s no definite conclusion.
As I mentioned when we spoke, I had doubts about the Erie paving hopper being on the North side of the bridge. I also noticed that the hopper looked like it was beyond the existing bridge behind the new bridge being built in the photo. Also, looking at photos and aerials from 1936ish, the new VCR racetrack is on the East side and the polo fields are to the West side, logic would say it just doesn’t make sense to place the new bridge intended for the polo fields that are to the East side of the old Roosevelt Field bridge. Also, a grass/dirt path from the stables to the polo fields seemed more appropriate than a paved road for the horses. In the blow up of the twin bridges below, I noticed the West bridge was slightly wider and had much taller sides which also seemed more appropriate for horses as well. Looking at the next photo below, it also looked like a straight paved road to the VCR racetrack, and the dirt path from the West bridge came off the bridge and curved slightly right into the parameter road of the polo fields. Initially, I theorized that they paved a new road leading to the old bridge, (replacing the split path/road seen in the 1927 Lindbergh photo), to update the old 1908 bridge into a new entrance for the new VCR racetrack. The hopper for paving materials being closer to the older, existing bridge supported that thought in my mind. (Thereby placing that hopper on the South side of the LIMP in the McCamish photo) However, a few things popped up that further support your narrative and not mine. I think some of the most conclusive evidence can be found on the demo plans that Art had dug up below. See my next post with further photos…
From Updated: Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Meadowbrook Polo Club Bridge over the Motor Parkway
Identify the exact location of the train, the LIRR track and orientation of the photographer. Provide a rationale.
The train is west of the Motor Parkway bridge but east of the Nassau Interlocking in Mineola on the LIRR Main Line. Based on attached photos (signal 203 is shown on the north side of the tracks, and the caption on the 1978 photo indicating looking east) the electrical tower would be on the south side. As such I would say the train is going east and the photographer is looking west - the train is on Track #1.
Identify the train. HO 112
Name all the bridges that went over the Motor Parkway.
What was the approximate year of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale. 1940s
From Mystery Foto #18 Solved : A Train Passing the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge Heading East
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