Then & Now: The Garden City Hotel
Since 1901 the largest and grandest hotel on Long Island was the Garden City Hotel... a perfect choice for a VanderbiltCupRaces.com "Then & Now".
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
The Garden City Hotel During the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)
Located in the center of the 1904 course, the hotel served as headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission for all six races from 1904 to 1910.
The hotel was typically sold out during the races.
Ad in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race program.
Ad in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race program.
A Peter Helck painting depicting the hotel during the races.
Then: 1913
Then: 1930s Aerial View
Now: Garden City Hotel
The fourth installment of the hotel opened in 1983.
The new owners of the hotel recently commmisoned a lobby exhibit of its history and legacy. The exhibit by Garden City village historian John Ellis Kordes is wonderful and worth a visit to this still grand hotel.
Comments
In that 1906 ad, “exclusive patronage” sure strikes an uncomfortable and politically-incorrect chord today. We’ve come a long way, baby, but we still have a long way to go. Sam, III
My fondest memory of the original hotel was attending an annual antiques show held there with my parents. I always found at least one pre war toy car or truck to add to my collection, all of which I still have. There were even some Vanderbilt Cup race items as well - including a souvenir cup produced by the Locomobile company on one sellers table. I do recall the price - $8.00; but I passed as that was a lot of money for a 10 year old kid, besides $4 bought me an cast iron toy car at that show!
One simply cannot look at that 1930s sky view without being saddened by the glimpse of the next shot where a proud steeple seems to top something looking more like a modern Marriott. I love the Garden City hotel and its history but truly feel the look and feel of the newest version could have been FAR better in attesting to the original look(s) of the previous hotel(s) in that incredible property.