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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Dec 23
2020
Kleiner’s Korner: Part 1 - The Race that Brought Willie K. “Racing” to America”
Found in the Peter Helck Family Collection are over 30 photographs of the 1903 Paris to Madrid race of which Willie K., Foxhall Keene and Fernand Gabriel participated.
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Oct 28
2020
Harbor Hill- The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
As a friend of William k. Vanderbilt, Jr. and a member of high society, Clarence Mackay had a premium seat to watch the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. With the assistance of master mapper Frank Femenias, the Roslyn (now East Hills) location of Mackay's long demolished Harbor Hill estate is explored below.
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Oct 18
2020
Update: Beutenmuller Family Collection #1: Searching for the Port Washington Seaplane Terminals
After receiving hundreds of photos of Long Island seaplanes and airplanes from Jennifer Robinson from her grandfather's collection, I have become obsessed with the history of seaplanes in Port Washington located less than six miles from my home. My first post in the series: Searching for the Port Washington Seaplane Terminals.
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Oct 07
2020
Kleiner’s Korner: Long Island Aviation and the Vanderbilt Cup Races
As aviation matured on Long Island in the early 1900s, so did its interaction with those who supported automobile racing.
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Sep 21
2020
Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K’s Private Eagle’s Nest Golf Course
The Helck Family Collection challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.
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Aug 08
2020
An Inside Look at William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s Alva Base on Fisher Island in Florida
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the exclusive Fisher Island in Florida and was able to tour Willie K's winter home Alva Base. Here is an inside look of his mansion and photos hanging on the walls.
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Jul 31
2020
Film of the Week “A Real Fast Ride”- A Musical Tribute to William K. Vanderbilt Jr.
A repost from 2010... a special musical tribute to William K. Vanderbilt Jr. The song "A Real Fast Ride" was written and sung by Christopher V.L. Giffuni, a CPA whose hobby is songwriting and playing the guitar. I have added photos from my collection to match his lyrics:
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Apr 28
2020
Kleiner’s Korner: The Motor Parkway in Maps - Part IV
Part IV in the map series includes maps primarily published in the touring guides of the Automobile Club of America (ACA). The ACA's publications were first named The Club Journal (approx. 1919+) and later Motor Travel (approx. 1916+).
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Apr 20
2020
Mystery Foto #16 Solved: The Lakeville Road Entrance to the Great Neck Lodge in 1914
Frank Femenias challenged you to solve one of my all-time favorite Mystery Fotos.
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Mar 30
2020
Mystery Foto #13 Solved: Willie K’s Seaplane at Port Washington Marine Base in 1938 & Howard Hughes
Jennifer Robinson challenged you to solve these Mystery Fotos from the Beutenmuller Family Collection.
