Kleiner’s Korner: The Land of the Motor Parkway Mineola Lodge (Kiosk)
The Motor Parkway and the Mineola Lodge, originally a ticket kiosk between 1910 and 1921, were on land originally owned by the Walkers-Peters and Luhrs families. Surveys here are from 1907 and are from the Motor Parkway Maps and Surveys collection and indicate the area purchased by the Motor Parkway.
For more information concerning the transformation from kiosk to lodge see Al Velocci's book "The Toll Lodges of the Long Island Motor Parkway".
Art Kleiner
Proposed as the Motor Parkway Headquarters
The location was to be used as the Parkway's headquarters with multiple buildings to be erected. (The Long Island Farmer Nov. 29, 1907)
Besides the entrance to the parkway, a clubhouse, garage and other buildings were planned. (Nassau County Review Dec. 6, 1907)
The Luhrs property extended from the LIRR to Jericho Turnpike. (Mar. 2, 1907)
Oct, 24, 1907.
Notice Westbury Avenue that was penciled in at a later date. (Oct. 24, 1907)
Note the intersection of the Motor Parkway and the New York and North Shore Traction Company.
A 1909 drawing of the kiosk including shrubbery. Note the penciled-in bridge.
1911 looking north.
A dispute over the building of the bridge arose between Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead that had originally had given its approval. Does anyone know the exact location of Bevel Hill? (The South Side Messenger Jul. 30, 1909)
By April, 1910 the entrance was ready and was opened in May.
1950
Close-up.
Click here and here for additional information on the Mineola lodge and bridge.
Comments
The land in the area was very popular at that time. Ads found in a book promoting Mineola in 1908 as the parkway was being built.
Thanks for the comment Greg. Material from this Mineola promotional booklet, including references to the Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races, will be featured in an upcoming post.
Apologies for letting the cat slightly out of the bag Art. I saw this post and immediately thought of this promotional book that we were discussing last week. Looking forward to seeing the post on that book.
Art, ..Bevel Hill,... ah yes, who doesn’t remember good ole Bevel Hill. I got a good idea where it was located but not how it got it’s name. In the July 30,1909 issue of the South Side Messenger, the Parkway is described as being EAST of Mineola. Thats not entirely accurate either as at the time the heart of Mineola was around the Court House/railroad station/ Nassau Hospital. You may recall that Krug’s Hotel address was East Wiliston. Also ...that entrance to the Parkway at the time was called the Jericho Turnpike Lodge, again… that entrance had no connection to Mineola It didn’t become the Mineola Lodge until 1921. Getting there. ...You may recall in my book I mentioned the Mineola lodge keeper walking up the hill west ward etc. etc. Well that hill was Bevil Hill, the area around the Sheridan Bowling Lanes. In fact, at the time I suggested to Kienzle that the entrance should called, “Near Bevil Hill Lodge.” He actually liked the idea but said it wouldn’t fit on the toll tickets.
I know nothing about the past, but I know everything about the present!
Three pics attached:
1) Standing north of Jericho Tpk looking at former tunnel/bridge location
2) Standing south of Jericho Tpk and looking south on the LIMP, the Mineola Lodge is up past the fence on the right side
3) The Mineola Lodge as it now looks
Al, you truly are amazing with the wealth of knowledge that you share! Thank you!
As far as the Bevel Hill name, I believe it came from a band of explorers in the area in the 1600’s with the small Mineola mound of dirt discovered by Sir Francois Bevel. Later on, the same group discovered a hilly area in California and subsequently named the area Bevely Hills, that name was slightly changed, and known as Beverly Hills today. ...ok, that may be a made up history by me, but makes for a great story.
Dave, great “now” pics. The former Motor Parkway outlines are all still there today!
Al, as the 1909 South Side Messenger article denounces the building of the proposed Jericho Tpke overhead bridge, including other proposed overhead bridges in the Bevel Hill area, I’m wondering if Bevel Hill extended as far south to the Old Country Rd underpass, the nearest underpass to the Jericho Tpke underpass, 0.8 miles away to the south from the Mineola Sheridan Bowling Lanes?
Frank, Don’t think Bevel Hill extended as far south as Old Country Rd. My guess the the article is referring to the crossing of the proposed Westbury Avenue. I do know that along Jericho Tpke. Bevel Hill extended westward at least halfway to Roslyn Rd.
There still is a natural uprise west towards Sheridan Blvd. Screenshots below viewing west from Donna La show the steady uprise.
Just noticed too in the above article that an overgrade crossing over Jericho Tpke was being disputed. Once said and done, we know this became a HWY bridge, LIMP built under Jericho Tpke.
A dispute between Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead? It happens often, even today, thanks to New York State’s bifurcated system of town/county government.
Brian. The Motor Parkway much preferred to go over existing roads. It was a lot lot cheaper to do so. Construction of the Parkway over a road sometimes meant only detour signs were necessary. Also, taking the Parkway over a road meant they could determine not only the width but also limiting the weight carrying capacity to automobiles. Taking the Parkway under an existing road, always meant first a temporary road had to be built and maintained by the Parkway. Rebuilding a public road was a whole lot more expensive because it not only had to be strong enough to handle trucks but also the wear and tear of a much heavier traffic load. Without checking, I think at the time the roads the Parkway went under were the responsibility of Nassau County or New York State. If you want to see a good example of a chaotic under the road scenario, check out Willis Ave./LIRR in Mineola.