Vanderbilt Cup Races

Love the Teddy Bear….. On the radiator cap!

Love the Teddy Bear….. On the radiator cap!
T R’s is still there!

Looking East, Krug’s Corner, Willis Avenue crossing Jericho Tpke.  136 Jericho Tkpe still standing, and looks very much the same as it did, for the most part.
Not really surprised.  The background is so empty.  Jericho tkp is rural and residential.

So we’re not able to answer all of your questions but here’s our answers for most of them.

What is the exact location and orientation of the photo?

Looking East on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola just West of the intersection of Willis Ave. 

Which building in this photo is still standing?

The building just to the left of center in the photo. It stands close to the Northwest corner of Willis Ave and Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. Most recently it was occupied by Atlantic Travel Agency.

What is the most surprising aspect of this photo in comparison with its current view?

Where is a symbol of the 1908 President of the United States?

The Teddy Bear on the hood of the vehicle just to the left of the center of the photo. In honor of Teddy Roosevelt

Fantastic picture of Krugs Korner looking east down Jericho Tpk from Willis Ave, dont know what the purpose of the cruise was, probably people getting ready to travel to the new grandstand in Levittown. The house still standing is the one next to Mr. Cheapos record store on the north side and the Mineola Diner would have been right in front of that, KFC across the street caddy corner to Krugs was that big hotel.  Sorry i have no clue about the Presidential reference or the makes of the cars but i go to this intersection quite often, watching people going by with no clue of how that corner was so important years ago.  I would love some then and now pictures with tuesday’s answer.

 The photo’s location is the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue, Mineola.  You are looking east down the Jericho Tpke.  The building on the left (NW corner of Jericho & Willis) is Frank P. Krug’s East Williston Hotel.  Advertising on the signs on the building are for “Lion Brewery” and “Pilsener Beer”.
 The building 2nd from the left still stands on Jericho Turnpike today.
 The most surprising aspect of this photo is the lack of development in the area.
 Since you state the photo is a Summer 1908 touring cruise, from a LIMP album, my guess is that the date is June 6, 1908, and they are on their way to the ceremony on the Barnes Tract, Jerusalem Road, Central Park [Bethpage] where the first spadesful of earth will be turned starting the construction of the LIMP.
 On the hood of the car in the middle of the photo sits a Teddy Bear – named for Oyster Bay resident & U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
 The 2nd automobile from the right is a Reo.
 Also located in the photo is one of the poles used by the New York and North Shore Traction Company for their trolley line (which had opened on November 16, 1907).  It is located with a cross arm hanging over Willis Ave. (in between 2 of the windows along side of the brick building still standing today).

Let’s see how I do this week. The location,Krugs Corner,a dead give away,the sign,Frank P Krugs. The building still standing,Atlantic Travel. The symbol for the President is the,Bull Dog. I think that’s better than what I’ve been doing,what do you think?

Location: Jericho Tpke. looking East at Willis Ave.  Trolley wire over Willis Ave. can be seen.  Krug’s Hotel on N/W corner.  The dark colored house on north side of Jericho is still standing, has different facade.  The current Mineola Diner now occupies the property to the west of that structure.  The Teddy Bear on car with the right hand drive and female passenger would be a symbol for President Teddy Roosevelt.  As for the reason for the outing, possibly a group of prospective real estate investors or folks looking for a new home in suburbia.  Newly planted trees on south side of Jericho, east of Willis, may indicate recent land development.  The ladies being along for the ride might, also, be indicative of such a venture.  I can only ID on car for sure, a REO, possibly a 1905.  Great Mystery Photo…Thanks!

Great photos, don’t have a clue where they taken.

Location: Jericho Tpke at Willis Ave Mineola looking east.
The building is the left center looks like the Present day Atlantic Travel Agency.
The surprising element is that cars could actually park in the middle of the Jericho Tpke.
The purpose of the cruise might be a rally for the presidential campaign.
The car in the center has a teddy bear fastened over the radiator (Teddy Roosevelt’s symbol).

What is the exact location and orientation of the photo?

This is the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Ave looking East down Jericho Turnpike in 1908.

Which building in this photo is still standing?

The long-gone Krugs is on the left edge of the photo, but, the ‘A’ frame building standing in the center/left of the photo (Northeast corner of Jericho and Willis) is still there. On Google Earth, 136 Jericho Turnpike houses Atlantic Travel with a new brick facade.

What is the most surprising aspect of this photo in comparison with its current view?

Traffic! At what is now one of the busiest intersections of Long Island, cars can stop, leisurely gather, take photos and talk!

What is your best guess for the purpose of this cruise? Provide a rationale.
Due to it being a Presidential reelection year (1908), the cars adorned with American flags and the Teddy Bear, maybe this was a political rally and/or vehicle tour for Teddy Roosevelt.

Where is a symbol of the 1908 President of the United States?

A Theodore Roosevelt ‘Teddy Bear’ is on the hood of the left vehicle of the two vehicles directly in the center of the photo.

Identify the automobiles in the photos

I’ll go for the easy one and say the second one in from the right can clearly be ID’d as an REO (Model C) on the radiator. I’ll continue looking for a further possible guess on some of the others.

The photo is looking east on Jericho Tnpk. The cross street is Willis Ave. Krugs was on the northwest corner of the intersection. It was the headquarters for automobilists at the time. They may have been touring the hotels on the race course. The Teddy bear on the car is for Theodore Roosevelt, President in 1908. I think there is an REO Speedwagon in the photo. Perhaps surprising are the phone wires, and the fact that there are no lanes for traffic. Lastly, the building still standing is the brick one on the northeast corner of Jericho and Willis, facing Jericho.

Place is easy - Krug’s Corner in Mineola, standing in the middle of Willis Avenue looking due (LI) south across Jericho Turnpike, with 136 Jericho Turnpike just out of sight around to the left still standing and possibly either today’s Lutheran Church of Our Saviour at 132 Jefferson or Grace International Assembly of God church at 172 Willis in the far left distance or Corpus Christi at 155 Garfield in the far right.  Krug’s and the building at the far left of the corner are long gone and the two frame stuctures to the right (west) of Whelan’s-cum-Wireless would have had to have been be drastically extended and modified from the tower building.  The only other possibility I can see is the two frame buildings to the right (west) of Whelen’s but they would have had to have been incorporated into the tower-cum-Whelan’s building.  Cong. Beth Sholom Chabad is where the frame structure south of the tower sits.  Sure hope you didn’t mean 136!  Can’t say it’s “surprising” but the open spaces in old Mineola are the most dramatic change to me (other than paving).  Prexy - TR; see the teddy bear on the radiator cap in the third close-up.  Purpose - showing off expensive toys, as usual back then.  Cars - dunno.  Sam, III

Jan 31 2012
Then & Now: Krug’s Corner in Mineola

Whoops!  Forgot to credit your 31 Jan 2012 Then & Now: Krug’s Corner in Mineola.  Sam, III

You’re looking east on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola at the intersection of Willis Avenue, the famous Krug’s Corners, with Krug’s Hotel on the left. The building to the right of Krug’s Hotel is still there today. It’s 136 Jericho Turnpike, currently occupied by Atlantic Travel. To me, the most surprising aspect is the width of Jericho Turnpike. It’s not that much wider today than it was 108 years ago. Since there is a “Teddy” bear on the radiator of one of the cars in the center of the photo, I’m guessing the group is on its way to Oyster Bay to hear President “Teddy” Roosevelt give a speach to the U.S. Olympic team, which he did on August 31, 1908. Other than the REO (second car from the right), I have no clue for the remainder of the cars. I’ll leave that for the Brass Era experts.

“Theme From a Summer Place.” Love this village scene. I’m focused on that kid at the right playing on the sidewalk with all the empty lots of space surrounding him/her. This place has begun to grow yet still unrecognizable today.
It’s famous Krug’s Corner, popular spot for viewing the races and for gatherings. This intersection is today’s Willis Ave and Jericho (Jerico) Tpke in Mineola, looking east towards Jericho. (Howard, sending an attachment of same intersection but looking north towards Willis). It is fantastic the house on the left at today’s 136 Jericho Tpke still stands intact with little change; today appears to have received just a brick facelift, with its front porch and center chimney removed (should this be a historic landmark??). Looking at the zoom through the car’s rear window, on the right seems a speck of the white RR crossing diamond sign, when the railroad crossed at grade level (the tracks are not visible but a dip in the road apparent). Today, Jericho dips under the RR.
Wouldn’t have guessed the cruise’s purpose without the presidential hint (great catch!).
The opossum doll strapped on the hood (teddy bear ears are larger) was ‘Billy Possum’, Pres. William Taft’s answer to Pres. Teddy Roosevelt’s teddy bear. Toy manufacturers believed with Roosevelt’s departure, the teddy bear would soon become unpopular and therefore needed a replacement. The 300+ lb. Taft likened the idea to one of his favorite dishes. Roosevelt keeping his promise not to run a third term supported Taft for president (his Secretary of War), winning the election favorably. Roosevelt and Taft would again run in 1912 but both were defeated by Pres. Woodrow Wilson. I’m guessing the cruise’s purpose was to help support Taft’s election throughout the island’s two cities, villages, and hamlets. With those roads depicted in the mystery photo, I doubt they covered them all. Teddy bears still rule!!
http://mentalfloss.com/article/51030/billy-possum-president-tafts-answer-teddy-bear

Leaving the cars to the buffs. I always learn something from them. Thanks for the song guys. 

What is the exact location and orientation of the photo?  Corner of Willis Avenue and Jericho Turnpike, Mineola.  Northwest looking across from Krug’s Hotel. 

Which building in this photo is still standing?  The building across from Krug’s on left side of the picture - now “Atlantic Travel” (136 Jericho Turnpike).  According to Town of Hempstead records the building was built in 1890. 

What is the most surprising aspect of this photo in comparison with its current view?  Autos were able to stop in traffic for a photo.  Wouldn’t try that today.  Also, without the diner that’s on the corner today, where did everyone meet for breakfast before the auto tour?  lol

What is your best guess for the purpose of this cruise? Provide a rationale.  Seeing that it was the summer of 1908, and several flags were out, the cruise could have been part of sort of campaign rally.  (see next answer).

Where is a symbol of the 1908 President of the United States?  A teddy bear, symbol of Teddy Roosevelt was mounted as a hood ornament on an auto. Wonder what our current crop of presidential candidates would use as an ornament.  Any suggestions?

Identify the automobiles in the photos.  Can see a Reo and possibly an Atlas RunAbout. 

There will be some guessing in my answer. Possibly the photo shows a moment in an outing organised by the Long Island Automobile Club. The american flags indicate some special day, e.g. Independence Day, July 4th. The location is at Krug’s Hotel looking west, there is no doubt about that. About the cars, unfortunately the photo is not very clear and sharp, and also not all cars are all that visible, so at the moment my idea is that we see from left to right: Maxwell, unknown tourer, Winton, unknown, Reo (with bear mascotte), Reo, possibly Knox sportabout, Reo and Ford (probably a model S). All cars are 1907 or 1908.
The teddy bear on the Reo could of course very well point at the president Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. 1908 was an election year (the election was to be held on 3 November) and it was Roosevelt’s last year as a president, having served already two terms. His successor would become William H. Taft. So another possibility is that the tour was related to the coming election.

From Bob Hoffman:
  Looking E / B Jericho Tpke at Willis Ave Mineola

  Bldg at 10 O’Clock two story two chimney still there behind Mineola Diner

Bldg at 3 O’Clock maybe Ashers Drug Store

Teddy Bear sitting on radiator….Pres TR

Great Pics Thank You

2 things to clarify - 136 Jericho Tpk is on the North East corner of the intersection, and if the building was built in 1890 according to town records, then the 1906 picture looking north should show it, but since it is slightly east of the corner, therefore the building would be just out of the frame of the picture (it would be the location of the Mineola Diner).

Went passed the intersection today and noticed the building housing the Shower Door is for sale.  How about a collection to buy it and rebuild Krug’s Inn on the spot?

Michael: I believe you’re exactly right.
Art: That would be neat. That’s a hot spot for any business. Travelers may disrupt and slow down traffic by parking all over the intersection again :D