Vanderbilt Cup Races

Based on the development of the area( half of my street appears undeveloped) and the 135 not existing, I said around WWII

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: A 1940 aerial of the Bethpage, the Grumman Airport and the Motor Parkway

The Bethpage portion of the cup races is in the photo as well

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: A 1940 aerial of the Bethpage, the Grumman Airport and the Motor Parkway

The pic is of Bethpage circa WWII.  Motor Parkway is in the top right quadrant.  Stewart Ave Bridge/Groundbreaking location just out of frame to the right.  Central Ave/Train bridge is in the middle of pic on the right.  Powell, Nibbe, and widened section by deadmans curve #2 all visible.  LIRR cuts horizontally through the middle of photo.  S.Oysterbay Rd, 107, Powell, Central, and Stewart aves all in photo.  So are both versions of Plainview Rd. although the Plainview Rd bridge is just out of frame.  Grumman Airfield can be seen easily in center of photo.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: A 1940 aerial of the Bethpage, the Grumman Airport and the Motor Parkway

One more!

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage

Newly discovered Motor Parkway photos.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage

p43 picture corner Willis and Harrison Avs, Mineola.  Unser’s General Store

From Starting Lineup: 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

Directly over Grumman airfield in Bethpage/Central Park. The LIMP is at the bottom right corner and along the right hand side of the photo. Deadman’s Curve is cutoff in the lower right. Central Ave, Hicksville Rd and Stewart Ave are all visible. Not the greatest resolution,  but it looks like the Stewart Ave, Central Ave, and Powell Ave bridge all look like they’re in the photo. 1908, 09, 10 Cup Races used this area of the LIMP.
Judging by the presence of only the first Grumman building, I’d say this is sometime in 1938 just after it opened.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: A 1940 aerial of the Bethpage, the Grumman Airport and the Motor Parkway

East Williston used its proximity to the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and driver Joe Tracy as selling points to bring developers and perspective home owners to the village as seen in this ad from the “The New York Evening World” of October 5, 1906.

From The Black Beast Helps Dedicate the East Williston New Village Hall

Below is the 1960 image from the bridge series here. Looks like the same couple seen up on Jericho Tpke, there’s only the 3 bikes and boy on the LIMP. Their son perhaps? And the photo taken at the LIRR, I think is east.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage

I believe the Botto Farmway Bridge was located solidly within current day Old Bethpage.
____________________________________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Robert, you are correct. The park is primarily in Old Bethpage with a Farmingdale mailing address.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage

Art, great post, thanks for sharing. Farmers were not alone in objecting to the Race being held on public roads. The Post Office and local Fire Departments also had concerns about being able to carry out their duties.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

Gary - correction made in the post.  Thanks for keeping me honest!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

In the cartoon with Jones and Townsend - a correction - Solomon S. Townsend was not the Nassau County Clerk, he was the Clerk to the Nassau Co. Board of Supervisors.  The Nassau Co. Clerk was Thomas S. Cheshire, who served from 1901-1934.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

Steve, It’s Ajassa Battesta

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

Interesting historical foot note; a mere 60 years later in 1960, with the incoming much-beloved president JFK, who was known to not wear a hat, wearing a hat suddenly became a thing of the past.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

In line with Shawn Linn’s comment. . . . . . . .time for you to bring the Black Beast out to California some time soon. . . . . .maybe to the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance in late Sept. in the picturesque little Gold Rush town of Murphys. . . .

From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive

Howard,
  Sure would like to ride in that some day! So is it called riding in or on? Anyway, if you ever bring it to Sonoma, you have my email.
Thanks, Shawn Linn

From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive

At the end of the Dyno test, you can see water dripping from the cooling system. It was likely the Beast was overheating at around 200 degrees. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed.  I remember overheating at the 2010 Port Jefferson Hill Climb when I was waiting at the start line. It did make a great photo with George Dragone’s FIAT…which also overheated.

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test

Casey, the Roslyn Landmark Society was involved in the prior restoration which occurred from 2008 to 2013. We strongly support the efforts of Friends of Cedarmere. Howard

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

I am a friend of Howard, years ago he took me for a ride in the Black Beast on a old section of the Motor Pkwy, in Williston, L I, NY.  It was a great ride.  I would never push that Old Engine to the limit, its too valuable, and rare!

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test