The Vanderbilts
The Family that Built a Transportation Empire
The Vanderbilts were one of the oldest and best-known families in America. Jan Aertsen van der Bilt emigrated from Holland around 1650. Although his descendants prospered as farmers on Staten Island, New York, they lived modestly; it was only during the lifetime of Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877), known as the “Commodore,” that the family name became synonymous with extraordinary wealth.
Related Posts
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Jun 28
2016
The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday “What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?” Updated 7/14/16
Jerry Helck has forwarded this April 15, 1973 Newsday article from the collection of the Helck Family Library. Updated: June 30, 2016
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May 25
2016
From the Library of Congress: Spectators at the Vanderbilt Cup Races
The Bain Collection at the Library of Congress includes 49 exciting photos of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. These images focus on the spectators.
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May 14
2016
My Motor Parkway Series #2- David Lamm: Introduction and Chapter One
In the second of the "My Motor Parkway Story" series, David Lamm, assisted by his daughter Cassie Lamm, provides the introduction and chapter one of his "lifetime of exploration of his blacktop-paved love affair."
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May 02
2016
MysteryFoto #18 Solved: An Abandoned Hotel on Little Neck Parkway and Northern Boulevard in 1926
Al Velocci provided the most challenging Mystery Foto of 2016.
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Apr 30
2016
Exclusive: 1956 Aerial Views of the Construction of the Long Island Expressway in Lake Success
In October 1956, Skyviews Survey was commissioned to document the construction of the Long Island Expressway.
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Mar 29
2016
Long Island Pulse: Road Rage Vanderbilt Style
Kim Marie has written an article on the Vanderbilt Cup Races in the April 2016 issue of the Long Island Pulse.
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Mar 21
2016
Mystery Foto #12 Solved: A Memorable Moment at Krug’s Corner at the 1906 American Elimination Trial
This weekend's Mystery Foto documented a surprising, memorable moment at Krug's Corner in Mineola.
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Feb 16
2016
Willie K’s 1902 40-HP Mercedes Simplex in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart
In 2009, Tom Gibson visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany and photographed the oldest surviving Mercedes in the world. Only years later, did Tom discover the original owner was William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
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Dec 29
2015
Willie K. and Virginia Vanderbilt’s Mansion at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan
In 1905 William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and his wife Virginia (Birdie) decided to build a Manhattan mansion on property given to them by Willie K.'s parents. Here is the story behind Willie K. and Birdie's 660 Fifth Avenue mansion.
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Dec 28
2015
Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Willie K. and the Vanderbilt Family Cruising on the Nile River in 1888
Our final Mystery Foto of 2015 was a historic image of the Vanderbilt Family. Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.
Deep and rich automotive details here. This whole series could easily be a part of the increasingly popular luxury auto…