Spectacular Aerials of Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway (1924-1938)
There is nothing like a good vintage aerial to document roads, buildings and bridges. These are several of my favorite aerials taken over Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway from 1924 to 1938:
1924-1925
The Motor Parkway was highlighted in this 1924 aerial with a dotted yellow line. Fourteen years after the last Vanderbilt Cup Race was held on Long Island, the temporary road built to connect Ellison Road with the Motor Parkway was still visible.
The dirt runway and path used in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh for his historic flight can be seen in this aerial looking west. This location would later become the site for Roosevelt Raceway and the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races. Note the hangars of Roosevelt Field on the right.
1931
Keystone B-5 bombers seen flying over Roosevelt Field and headed toward the Motor Parkway. The Keystone B-5s were the frontline bombers for the United States from 1930 to 1934. They remained in service until the early 1940s serving primarily as observation aircraft. (Courtesy of the Cradle of Aviation Museum.)
1936
This view of Roosevelt Raceway looking east was photographed during the running of 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The course was four miles long with 16 turns.
1938
This aerial of Roosevelt Raceway looking north-east was taken after the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race (the last of the George Vanderbilt series). The lower left corner of the aerial is highlighted below.
A bit of treasure for Motor Parkway fans...a lodge entrance, the Meadow Brook Lodge, a Motor Parkway bridge and a section of the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses.
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com and the Internet:
Midget Auto Racing at Roosevelt Raceway in 1939
From the Cradle of Aviation Museum Collection- Amazing 1937 Aerials of Roosevelt Raceway
Linking the Vanderbilt Cup Race Course from Ellison Road to the Motor Parkway
A Treasure Box of Long Island Auto Racing Discovered by the Cradle of Aviation
1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race: Photos from the Nassau County Division of Museum Services
Archives: 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Archives: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Index: Archives on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Archives: Monthly Highlights (2008-2011)
Comments
Do you have any record of my grandfather, Ralph Bitter, from Union or Orange, NJ, who was a mechanic with the Duesenberg racing team? Thanks for a great website and info source!
Ralph, I do not have a record of your grandfather. Best of luck in your search.
I’ve been in the Mineola area since 1955. I believe there is still a section of the L.I. Motor Parkway that was part of the roadway leading to the Williston Park Pool area. The roadway is East of Willis Avenue close to the northern most part of Williston Park and traveled East-West. There has been other development in that locale and I don’t know how the road then turned south, but I’m willing to bet researching the recently released 1940 Census Maps would shed light on the remaining sites.
I’d love to hear back if you know more details!
Thanks,
GJT