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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Mar 22
2011
Newly Discovered Photos of Motor Parkway Bridges and Willie K’s Guest Lodge in Lake Success
In the never-ending treasure hunt for new images of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway, I found some gems from the collection of New York State Parks Bureau of Historic Sites. The first images from this collection provide insight into Willie K's former Deepdale guest lodge…
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Mar 12
2011
Direct from Stuggart: The Two “Oldest Surviving” Mercedes Automobile
Newsday reporter David Fluher recently commented on the recent VanderbiltCupRaces.com post Willie K’s Cars #3:The 1902 40-HP Mercedes Simplex- The Oldest Surviving Mercedes.
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Mar 11
2011
VanderbiltCupRaces.com LCI #5 (Links, Comments, and Insights)
Feedback and sharing of information are much appreciated on VanderbiltCupRaces.com . This LCI post (formerly CQI) provides a sampling of recent cool links, comments, and insights:
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Feb 28
2011
Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, heiress, dog breeder and link to golden age, dies at 107
Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, the daughter of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. died on February 21st at her home in Ridgefield, Connecticut. As seen in this 1932 photo, Consuelo Vanderbilt was with her father aboard the Alva, his yacht. (Courtesy of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum).
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Feb 26
2011
Willie K’s Cars #3:The 1902 40-HP Mercedes Simplex- The Oldest Surviving Mercedes
The Mercedes Simplex was designed by Wilhelm Maybach in Stuttgart, Germany and produced by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft from 1902 to 1909. DMG's intention was to improve on the car's predecessor, the 35-HP Mercedes, by providing "comfort by means of simplicity", hence the Simplex name.
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Feb 18
2011
A Series of Vanderbilt Cup Race Exaggerations by Malcolm Strauss
In 1904 and 1905 Automobile Topics magazine hired cartoonist Malcolm A. Strauss to create five "exaggerations of men who manage motors" for their issues featuring the Vanderbilt Cup Races: Jr.:
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Dec 23
2010
Prominent Women of the Vanderbilt Cup Races
The daybreak start of the Vanderbilt Cup Races attracted thousands of adventurous men and women who streamed into Long Island from New York City. With hotels and roadhouses overflowing, they camped, gambled, drank, socialized, and established a tradition of revelry that became a hallmark of the event. Women made up…
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Dec 20
2010
Cablevision’s Neighborhood Journal Film Series: “Part I: Who was Vanderbilt?”
Cablevision's Neighborhood Journal has developed a five-part film series on the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The producer and narrator of the film is Bob Klement who is interviewed by host Joanna Venditto. The five parts of the series are:
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Dec 11
2010
Six Degrees of Willie K: The Mackay Horse Statue and Saturday’s Cocktail Party
Here's a brand new feature for VanderbiltCupRaces.com: Six Degrees of Willie K. The goal is to link William K. Vanderbilt, Jr to a person, object or event in six steps or less. Today's challenge: Link Willie K. to last night's successful cocktail reception in honor of Roslyn Landmark Society's "Mission…
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Nov 24
2010
Willie K’s Record-Breaking Hill Climb on Thanksgiving Day 1903
In the early 1900s, people did not flock to Manhattan on Thanksgiving to watch the floats and balloons on Broadway, but thousands came to West Orange, New Jersey to watch cars race up Eagle Rock. The Automobile Club of New Jersey first sponsored races for various classes of automobiles…
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