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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Jul 07
2012
Then & Now: William K. Vanderbilt Jr’s Deepdale Gate Lodge in Lake Success
In 1906, William K. Vanderbilt Jr. commissioned architect John Russell Pope to design a gate lodge for his Deepdale Estate located in Lake Success, New York. Fortunately, the gate lodge is still standing and provides the opportunity for this "Then & Now".
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Feb 06
2012
The Dawn of Speed: The Ormond-Daytona Automoble Races
Beverly Rae Himes explored "The Dawn of Speed" in the November 1987 isue of American Heritage. Here is a repost of the article with an images from my collection.
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Jan 20
2012
Willie K’s Sister Consuelo Vanderbilt: The Duchess of Marlborough
William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s sister Consuelo, the Duchess of Marlborough (center wearing a white blouse) was among the 5,000 spectators gathered at the Mineola grandstand for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race. A 2010 profile on kimmystyle.blogspot.com is reposted here, supplemented by images from my collection.
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Jan 10
2012
Walter McCarthy Collection: Ledyard Pfund’s 1906/1907 Renault “Vanderbilt Racer”
Another significant car at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Celebration was the 1906/1907 Renault "Vanderbilt Racer" owned by Ledyard Pfund of New Jersey. As noted in a 2007 Businessweek article "The World's First Production Supercar?":
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Dec 30
2011
Searching for the Renault Vanderbilt Racers- the Ferrari Enzos of Their Day
Last May,VanderbiltCupRaces.com reviewed the special 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racers that were built for William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and his friends. I noted that of the 11 cars that were built in 1907, five are known to exist today. Today's challenge: Post photos of these racers.
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Dec 30
2011
Archives: William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
Below are related links to the William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: February 1, 2012):
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Aug 23
2011
Willie K’s Cars: #5 The 90-HP Mercedes that Broke the One-Mile Land Speed Record in 1904
William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was among the first generation of people who grew up with the automobile. With his family’s fortune predicated on transportation perhaps it was inevitable that he was drawn to the latest innovation in machinery to transport goods and people from one place to another. Regardless, his…
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Aug 15
2011
Willie K’s Cars: #4 1902 60-HP Mors Racing In Europe
William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was among the first generation of people who grew up with the automobile. With his family’s fortune predicated on transportation perhaps it was inevitable that he was drawn to the latest innovation in machinery to transport goods and people from one place to another. Regardless, his…
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Aug 10
2011
VanderbiltCupRaces Exclusive: The 1900 Newport Automobile Races & the First Vanderbilt Cup Trophy
The first major race in which William K. Vanderbilt Jr. competed was held in September 1900 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was also at this race where the first William K.Vanderbilt Jr. cup was given to a winner of an automobile race...four years before the Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Races.
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Apr 04
2011
Article “The Mercedes of Willie K” by Jean-Yves Lassaux
VanderbiltCupRaces.com contributer Jean-Yves Lassaux has written this article Willie K and the Mercedes for the French website etoilespassion.com . Use the Google translator for the English version.
The partially completed train crossing is obviously Mineola or Albertson. Staring at the picture it could easily be…