Then & Now: The Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstands & Press Boxes in Westbury
The grandstands and press/officials' box for the 1904 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races were placed at the same Westbury location on Jericho Turnpike, just west of the Powells Lane intersection. The grandstand was on the south side of Jericho Turnpike and the press/officials' box was on the north side, on property leased from the Hitchcock family.
Then:1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Looking west. The Hitchcock Horse Track was located to the right.
Looking east. The cameraman seen on top of the press/officials' shot the grandstand action in this American Mutoscope & Biograph film:
Then: 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Looking east. The house on the top right was on the west side of Powells Lane.
Looking west. A large scoreboard was built behind the press/officials' box on the north side of Jericho Turnpike. Note the man watching the race sitting on the telephone pole. Vincenzo Lancia in the #4 Fiat was driving past a cameraman who was shooting the action in front of the grandstand for this film:
Looking west. The photo was taken from the top of the press box.
Now: 2011
These are the Google Earth locations of the Westbury grandstand and the press/officials' box. After 106 years, the outline of the Hitchcock Horse Track is still visible.
Looking west. The Hitchcock property is on the right.
Looking east. The traffic light is at the Powells Lane intersection.
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Archives: 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Archives: 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Comments
“So much history, so little left to see…Thank you Howard for all you do to keep telling the story of the Vanderbilt Cup and the Motor Parkway!”
that google Earth picture is awesome!that the horse track is still evident is mind boggleing.