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
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Recent Comments
Funny, in the late ‘60s car buffs were bragging about achieving 400hp under the hood. These guys were already doing it in the late ‘30s. I’m guessing WWII and the Korean war slowed up progress
From From the Simeone Foundation: A Peter Helck Sketch of Two Vanderbilt Cup Race Winners
Tom - A favorite 1931 Queens shot, entrance to Mt. Hebron cemetery at Horace Harding Expwy looking east. This road remains today the busiest thoroughfare connecting Queens and Nassau. In 1926, Rodman St (Strongs Causeway) was only one of 3 roads crossing Queens through the Flushing Creek’d ash dump, now Flushing Meadow Park, The other two were Northern Blvd far north, and Union Tpke further south. In 1939, an overpass was put here (for the World’s Fair) allowing Rodman to go under Nassau Blvd (Horace Harding Blvd). Now the LIExpwy, Rodman is permanently severed and the only way across now is through College Point Blvd. It’s still jam packed with cars today on the LIE. Photos can be found here.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/view/search?search=SUBMIT&q=rodman+street&dateRangeStart;=&dateRangeEnd;=&QuickSearchA=QuickSearchA
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
1924 aerial of Nassau Blvd and Rodman Street
http://maps.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/?z=8&p=1030005,210470&c=GIS1924&s=a:130-06,60+AVENUE,QUEENS
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
I believe the 2-17-31 shot corresponds to this view today.
https://goo.gl/maps/ds2biATv7ut
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
The image should William K. Vanderbilt II, not of his father as shown. But I don’t think either one of them mind at all.
From Roslyn News: A Day with the Vanderbilts
I agree with Brian, photographer standing on southeast side of kiosk looking northwest. Photographer and Chief both standing on the entrance ramp not yet paved, as seen in the opposite West view photo. Doorway faces the entrance ramp. Horses standing on Jericho Tpke, it’s about 2pm, and in the distance over the Chief’s left shoulder could be the Hillside Ave parkway bridge. Great photos!
From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola
2-17-31, there’s a lot of signs on that pole!
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
I’m going to say that they printed a photo of WKV senior instead of Willie K Jr.
From Roslyn News: A Day with the Vanderbilts
-Which Vanderbilt Cup Racer did he own?
-Which Vanderbilt Cup Race(s) did he enter his racer?
Owner of the FIAT driven by Paul Sartori in the 1904 and 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Races.
-In what other ways was he connected to the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway?
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt (1877-1915) was William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s cousin
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT
Alfred Vanderbilt, who sacrificed his own life so that others could survive on the doomed RMS Lusitania.
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT
“East View of Toll Gate” image was taken from southeast to northwest, I think. The 3 are pictured in the shadow cast by the afternoon sun. The youngest looking one nicknamed “Chief” couldn’t possibly be in charge of the older 2 ( unless he’s an unknown Vanderbilt ). “Van” is short for the name Vance. Maybe Al’s book has names of Kiosk collectors?
From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola
Thanks for the nice words, Frank and Brian. Yes, the LIRR had a Wading River extension from 1895-1938/39 going east from Port Jefferson. Lots on the internet about it, some railroad fans would probably enjoy tracing its route. Here’s one site.
http://lioddities.com/transprotation/lirr-wading-river-branch.html
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
Howard, thank you! Never seen this drawing of my Grandfather George. Will try and visit the museum Best wishes, Peter
_____________________________
Howard Kroplick
Peter, Dr. Simeone would be thrilled to meet you. I suggest calling the museum in advance of the visit.
From From the Simeone Foundation: A Peter Helck Sketch of Two Vanderbilt Cup Race Winners
Art - As per Brian, ditto, another great find. Thanks!
Brian - Wading River line? Never heard of it. So much hidden stuff
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
Hi I too am tracing my family tree. Herb was my gt gt uncle. I am related to Gerturde Fanny Harbord, his first wife. I would love to be out in contact with Claude if at all possible. Love this page have been following Herb and his racing for a while! Thanks
From Herb Lytle's Great-Great-Grandson Takes a Ride in the Alco Black Beast
Nice pics for us old car buffs!
From From A Grandfather's Photo Album: The Durant Special on the Motor Parkway in 1923
Nice job, Art! I was looking around for an old image, glad you located one. See that this branch was named Wading River. Know the LIRR abandoned the service east from Port Jefferson and the rest is history
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
I believe this photo is looking north with RR track curving slightly on the east side. If true, the only possibility is Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville with auto heading south. The 1904 VCR was the only event that passed through here. If not looking north, my answer is incorrect.
Impossible to guess photo’s location without the Vanderbilt race course hint, but what a fantastic view of old Long Island as it was. Great stuff! Thanks Howard.
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
Not being a location expert, I would like to say only something about the subject in the photo which is my expertise, which is the car and which appears to be a 1907 Garford touring car. Probably the same car features on another photograph in an album on the building of the bridges of the Motor Parkway, which appeared on this site some time ago. Unfortunately the resolution of both pictures is not high enough to get a clear view of the logo or script on the radiator, so I hope a better scan can be shown of this car to see what it looks like. The presence of this car on the mystery photo probably places the scene in (the summer of) 1908.
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
Correct me if wrong, but the ban on public road racing in NY State was after spectator injuries at Watkins Glen and a driver fatality at Bridgehampton. That led to the building of those two closed courses, so it wasn’t all bad.
From Updated: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
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