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
-Identify the exact location of the Mystery Foto
The LIRR crossing on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, facing east on Jericho Turnpike in 1908, toward the present-day overpass.
-Which Vanderbilt Cup Race(s) was run on this section of the course?
1908 VCR
-Which race car caught fire in this section
#3 Mercedes driven by Emil Stricker
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
These are amazing photos
From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album:The Motor Parkway Engineering Field Offices & a Worker Shanty
Unless Howard has a blueprint or schematic of this bridge, I figure the bridge length between the abutments was 50+ ft. Maybe heavy farm machinery drove back and forth across this bridge, therefore requiring additional bridge supports.
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Howard Kroplick
I believe that this bridge was never used . When it was built, New York State probably had plans to develop the hospital property on both sides and required that the Motor Parkway build the bridge as part of the sales agreement.. However, the 1937 aerial indicates the north side of the bridge led directly into heavy wooded area.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Great photos Howard. Any idea of exact location of field office in Mineola?
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Howard Kroplick
Mark, no location is described in the album. Based on the other Mineola photos in the album, I assume the field office was located near the Jericho Turnpike Motor Parkway Bridge.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/long_island_motor_parkway_bridge_series_27_jericho_turnpike_highway_bridge_
From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album:The Motor Parkway Engineering Field Offices & a Worker Shanty
Fantastic Fotos! Motor Parkway history gets clearer all the time. Keep ‘em comin’! Thanks Howard
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
Good point Al. This is one of only three bridges I’m aware of, where steel beams were used to help support. The other two were Westbury Ave and Central Ave. They all share in common the long span but why was this necessary for Creedmoor? I’m guessing it was cheaper/easier to just reach for the nearest high ground on both sides, than building a concrete bridge requiring more dirt to fill in the gaps. This 1925 photo taken from on top of the bridge three years earlier shows the outer openings still inactive.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/images/made/images/blog/3-1-2013_3-30-21_PM_edited-1_210_161.jpg
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
I love browsing those archives, especially the newly viewable 1940s tax photos!
From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives
Ted, Happy holidays to you and family, and wishing the best to all!
From Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy & Healthy New Year!
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 Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Bill H.
As always an interesting newsletter to which I look forward to each Sunday morning.
Happy New year!
From The Top Twenty-Five 2018 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Good job guys. I have a questions regarding this location. Why was a bridge with three openings on the Parkway level built here ? This is the only location I’m aware of where multiple openings are on the Parkway level, all the others are on the highway level.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Here I go thinking again…The article in The Brooklyn Eagle explains the construction of the underpass we all visited a couple of years ago. The oncoming Union Tpke severed the path south of the Creedmore Bridge.Wonder why the underpass wasn’t built where the path was severed? Wouldn’t have to remove the Creedmore Bridge and the tunnel would just be under Union. Would’ve / Could’ve I guess. Very glad that this image of the bridge is known!
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
I believe the photographer is looking west from a position about 50 feet east of the Creedmoor bridge which was original built as a farmway bridge to allow access to and from several farms that were on both sides of the LIMP. The building in the background is Creedmoor State Hospital on the south side of Union Turnpike which was using the bridge as a pedestrian crossing to its property on the north side of the LIMP. I’m not sure but I think I’ve seen a similar photo with a November, 1932 date so that’s my guess. Could that car belong to Robert Moses who was out looking at the road he would eventually put out of business? I couldn’t find it but I think the photo may be on the Queens Borough President’s Collection of the NYC Municipal Archives.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: The Creedmoor Motor Parkway Bridge in 1928
Forgot to ask what form 1040’s in. Hee, hee, III
From Video: Restored Tucker 1040 Sold for $1.45 Million at RM Auctions
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
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