Feb 21 2024

Kleiner’s Korner: A 1909 Motor Parkway Construction Update


Readers received an update on the progress constructing The Motor Parkway in August, 1909 with plans being hurried in anticipation of holding the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race on the parkway.  In comparison to the inaugural use of the parkway for the race in 1908 which used 9 miles of the parkway for the race, the 1909 and 1910 courses used only 5.5 miles. 

Art Kleiner

Plans were to expand the parkway east, west, north and south!

Grading, cementing and resolving litigation with Nassau County were taken care of.

Bridge work supporting the parkway was nearing completion.

The Meadowbrook Lodge, one of my favorites! Might that be Sydney Jones, lodgekeeper standing guard?  And in which direction are we looking? 

The bridge over the Long Island Rail Road between Mineola and Westbury. 

"Building bridge over trolley Road" But where?

"Building the road across the meadows".

"Filling in at Jericho Turnpike". Notice what I believe to be a horse and buggy (or cart) on what I'm assuming to be Jericho Turnpike.



Comments

Feb 22 2024 Greg O. 9:39 AM

Good stuff Art!
The bridge over the trolley road would be Westbury Ave I presume.

And that very well may be Sydney Jones in front of the Meadow Brook lodge looking west at the Whaleneck bridge.

Feb 22 2024 frank femenias 8:53 PM

Great historical Motor Parkway shots Al Kleiner, taken from newspaper clippings at the time! Likely Westbury Av over the trolley line, or could be the crossing over Rt 110 with trolley as well. The busy environment points towards Rt 110.

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