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
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
I did not know Bill well, met him soon after he took on being the Garden City historian after my close friend Vincent Seyfried left that position. Vin and I were active in the Long Island Historians group and attended meetings together as I was (still continue to be) the historian for the Village of Floral Park. It was grand that Bill was able to digitize the Garden City collection as well as Vin Seyfreid’s post car collection. Thank you, Bill, for all your effort.
From Sad News: Garden City News 6/18/26: William A. Bellmer: The Engineer Who Preserved a Village’s Memory
Mark - my taxes are about 1/3 of what they were on Long Island. Other costs are about the same, however. Getting too crowded down here, but lots of places to explore. Just have to be careful of the bears and bobcats, and alligators!
From Update: The history of the promised restoration of the Long Island Motor Parkway by the Village of Garden City
Condolences to the entire Bellmer family. I may not have personally met Bill, but I am certain I’ve come across his research through the years. And surely his research has helped many others trying to answer questions pertaining to the Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races. The Garden City News truly portrayed the life of a Gentlemen and a Scholar! Thank you Bill!
From Sad News: Garden City News 6/18/26: William A. Bellmer: The Engineer Who Preserved a Village’s Memory
...one more
From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#15 The Smith Farmway Bridge in Lake Success(Update: 4/1/20)
Al, you are precisely correct. The snapshots below show I.U. Willets Rd as it appeared in 1926 before NSP/LIE construction
From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#15 The Smith Farmway Bridge in Lake Success(Update: 4/1/20)
It was so great to have so many of you come out and support one of my favorite causes. It was great to spend time together just like the old days. I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Thank you so much.
From The 1909 Alco Black Beast Attends the Lake Ronkonkoma Serviceman's Memorial Parade
I own a 1915 Harley-Davidson race car run at the PPIE. Its the only known survivor of the 10 racing cars built. Sold to Charles Howard of Seabiscuit fame. For sale @ 3.5 M
John King
707-696-7023
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
From San Francisco’s 1915 World’s Fair and the Dawn of Championship Auto Racing
Frank, I was under the impression that Hollow Lane, off of New Hyde Park Rd. just north of the Northern State Pky. was originally part of the I.U. Willets Rd. and extended to what today is the North Service Rd of the L.I.E.
From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#15 The Smith Farmway Bridge in Lake Success(Update: 4/1/20)
Tom Walsh - excellent observation. I.U. Willets Rd traveled north from the Smith farmway bridge. Attached is a map showing proximity of the two. That abandoned HS road is very interesting.
From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#15 The Smith Farmway Bridge in Lake Success(Update: 4/1/20)
Great site. Regarding the Smith Farmway Bridge on the Great Neck South school grounds: are you certain it was not about 450 feet further east? On the LIE South Service Road, immediately after the easternmost driveway to the school, but before the One Hollow Lane office building, there has long been an abandoned paved road. With a battered gate marked “No Trespassing N.Y. State” it heads south past a couple of ponds and appears to intersect with LIMP towards the east end of the school’s football field. I have long speculated that this is a remnant of I.U. Willets Road which was long cut off by the Parkway and New Hyde Park Road. But now maybe it was the Smith Farmway. Can you cast some light on this phantom road?
From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#15 The Smith Farmway Bridge in Lake Success(Update: 4/1/20)
Willie Vanderbilts Deepdale estate in Lake Success/ Great Neck.
Looking south east. You can see the LIMP and Marcus Avenue bridge
Picture taken in 1920- 1940s?
Yes, part of it is still standing and is a private residence.
From Mystery Friday Foto #24 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Deepdale Estate
What a wonderful piece-of-history that was Saved from the years of the Parkway.
Too bad it doesn’t have greater use within the Village of Garden City, other than a few “temporary exhibits”.
From Historical Exhibits Featured at the Garden City Toll Lodge on Friday and Saturday
We are looking east over Willie K. Vanderbilt’s “Deepdale” estate in Lake Success. There is a LIMP bridge over Marcus Avenue in the upper right area of the photo. The photo was taken in 1927 and the building is still standing today as a private residence. Also, just to the left of the bridge, is the historic Schumacher House which was moved a short distance east on Marcus Avnue to Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park in 1952. I believe parts of that house date to around 1690 and is also known as the Cornell - Van Nostrand House.
From Mystery Friday Foto #24 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Deepdale Estate
This Westbury Show has been a winning experience for years. I first attended it with my TVR in the early 80s and even once won a runner up ribbon with my 62 T Bird. Love this coverage showing it is truly a classy and classic event. Congrats to Howard on the win!
From InstaGRAM Report: The 1930 Duesenberg and the 60th Annual AACA Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens
Love posts that refute my live form The Vanderbilt Motor Parkway.
From Kleiner's Korner: A Hodgepodge of News About the Vanderbilt Cup Races
Thank you, Howard, for keeping and making our history look good and proud! Ann
From Historical Exhibits Featured at the Garden City Toll Lodge on Friday and Saturday
I’m pretty sure that this pic has been used before. Backside of WKV, Jr’s Deepdale estate in Lake Success. Looking southeast toward New Hyde Park. I think it was built in the late 1890s (1898?) and the wings were removed in the 1930’s. I date this to 1910s??
The Motor Parkway passes virtually through the front yard.
From Mystery Friday Foto #24 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Deepdale Estate
William Vanderbilt’s Deepdale estate. Looking Northeast. Motor Pkwy. and Marcus Ave bridge are at the mid right corner of photo. Late 1920’s.
From Mystery Friday Foto #24 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Deepdale Estate
The Mike Murray Memorial Award - for those of you who do not know who Mike was , he was from Brooklyn and owned a green 1929 Cadillac phaeton he purchased new! in 1929 . A genuinely kind man, greatly enthusiastic about his car but all cars pre-WWII. He and I would on occasion meet and follow each other up to car show in Westchester off long Island. Mike and his car were a fixture for most all car shows here in the Metro NY area for decades. His car was eventually bought by Tiny Gould and then resold when Mike was very old and no longer drove.
From InstaGRAM Report: The 1930 Duesenberg and the 60th Annual AACA Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens
It was a very nice exhibit! Recommend to anyone wanting to see the interior of one of the historic toll houses!
From Historical Exhibits Featured at the Garden City Toll Lodge on Friday and Saturday
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