Vanderbilt Cup Races

Out of curiosity, I looked on Google Maps and, uh, oh, the Field House seems to be south of the south path.  Did the paths change or what, Frank?  The ol’ nitpicjker, Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

The picture shows Harry Grant in one of the1914 Indy Sunbeams. The picture is confusing, because he is not sitting in his own car, but in the car of Jean Chassagne. Most car details are identical like the dash-line, the cloth-wrapped steering wheel, the flimsy seats and the relatively high gas tank. A difference is the windscreen on top of the dash, which is continuous (and slightly different in shape) on Grant’s car, but divided on Chassagne’s car (cf. the crashed car photo). Also the color of the car seems lighter than his own car. Another confusing detail by the way is the sweater with the white strip, almost identical to the 1910 Alco sweater, but without lettering.
Chassagne indeed crashed during the 20th lap, turning turtle while taking a turn. Grant was more successful and finished on 7th place.

From Mystery Foto #50 Solved: Harry Grant at the 1914 Indy 500 Race

The paths in Alley pond park haven’t changed all that much from photo. Field house is located between the parallel paths in center.

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

exits/entrances to Alley Pond Park’s upper parking area and it was a parkway. Northern state/southern state have similar construction features

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved: Creedmore Hospital and Commonwealth Boulevard Motor Parkway Bridge in 1941

Mr. Harry Grant
Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races in the Alco Black Beast

I’ll be looking into the car and race…

From Mystery Foto #50 Solved: Harry Grant at the 1914 Indy 500 Race

Hold your horses.  Monica Randall, author of “The Mansions of Long Island’s Gold Coast” and a whole book on Winfield alone, already has a website on same: <http://www.monicarandall.com>.  Also, not being on LI any longer, I won’t be able to bail you out for trespassing!  :↓·)  Sam, III

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Got to be kidding on the driver,got to know who that is,the driver of the Black Beast,Harry Grant,no doubt,but not here, have to search a little for the rest. I’ll try to get back.

From Mystery Foto #50 Solved: Harry Grant at the 1914 Indy 500 Race

Amazing how many things were left behind.  Exploring and discovering is always fun!

From The Hunt for the Treasures of Virginia "Birdie" Vanderbilt's Estate in Brookville

Thanks Al, great to learn about events and compromises surrounding the construction of the parkway. Acquiring land must’ve been their greatest obstacle based on the parkway’s jagged line throughout its 44 miles. Even the Lincoln Hwy ran straighter for most of its stretch.

From Mystery Foto #49 Again: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Heights/ Wyandanch/ Half Hollows Looking West

The post has been updated with the correct aerial date and a new 1938 aerial showing the estate’s swimming pool.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Just want to say that without Art Kleiner’s description of the yard/field hydrant ( W&B Douglas ) he came across in the past, the manufacturer would still be a ? It ends up being that the one we came across on Exploration Day is the same type Art found. And these hydrants are older ( late 1800"s ) than everything found! Dave Russo also has seen quite a few of these as mentioned during estate exploring. Dave… I’m going to find out the purpose of the contraption you and Sammy found on the LIMP e/o Roslyn Rd. Glad you still had it on hand. Don’t get rid of it, yet!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Have to pile on and say great find Brian!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Herb Lytle eventually retired from the auto industry and operated a small resort on Tippecanoe Lake in Indiana.  It is worth mentioning that Herb Lytle’s son, Claude Herbert Lytle grew up to be an automotive test driver and then went into business for himself opening an auto repair shop in Toledo, OH.  His son, my Dad (and Tom’s dad) spent 46 years with the Champion Spark Plug Company.  “Gasoline” still trickles through our veins!
_________________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

James, very neat!

From Herb Lytle's Great-Great-Grandson Takes a Ride in the Alco Black Beast

I wish you luck in contending for the award Howard. I see no reason why you shouldn’t get it. This car is simply magnificent! Historic and beautifully restored.

From 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler Honored with National Awards By The Antique Automobile Club of America

Great going, Brian.  I wasn’t too far off with the Douglas hydrant found at Longfields! But I’m not going to mention this investigation to my wife who already thinks I’m nuts (e.g, posts, wire, etc. in our shed).  But hey, maybe there’s room in there for a fire hydrant - lol!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

The exploration, findings, and enthusiasm these posts about this estate have produced has been great. I’ve been trying to nudge Howard to start another web site, I know he has nothing better to do lol, focusing specifically on Gold Coast mansions, remnants, history, ruins, etc. There is a lot of really great stuff still out there, a lot more then just fire hydrants, although I have found many of them in the woods. This is the perfect group for this. Come on Howard! Whaddaya say???

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Well done, Brian!  “Fun”?  This thread is priceless!  And I thought MY website was esoteric.  Sam, III

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Wow, nice work Brian. They look exact except the missing chain and added “W” to Middletown. Coming from nearby Connecticut, and opened for business as early as the 1800s, that must be it!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

In anyone is interested in viewing the small fire hydrant in it’s former glory, here is the site:

http://www.firehydrant.org/pictures/douglas.html

You’ll see “Middletown” & W & B Douglas”

It’s always fun coming across the old & interesting!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

There is a middleton in manchester uk and there are hydrant manufacturing companies there.
Here is one:  http://www.avkuk.co.uk/en-gb/products/productfinder/details?STVId=27/94-001

Here is another possibility: a community named middleton somewhere in the world had a surplus of hydrants and they were sold to the builder of the estate.. I can almost bet that somewhere in Dubai there are manholes that say Brooklyn on them.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt