Clinton Robertson Photo Album: Westbury Avenue Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge in Mineola/Carle Place
In the first of the new series of photos from surveyor Clinton A. Robertson's recently discovered construction album, the unique Westbury Avenue Motor Parkway/Trolley Bridge on the border of Mineola and Carle Place is featured.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Clinton A. Robertson's Long Island Motor Parkway Construction Photo Album
While working as a surveyor on the Long Island Motor Parkway in 1908 and 1909, Clinton A. Robertson (above) documented the Motor Parkway construction and his fellow workers with his trusty camera. Lost for 109 years, Robertson's photo scrapbook with 84 amazing images of the Motor Parkway was recently purchased for $20 in a New Jersey flea market and resold on Ebay.
.Making Bridge Fill
Form Work
Note the trolley tracks.
Bridge with an Approaching Hicksville Trolley
Note the absence of Westbury Avenue.
Additional Information on the Westbury Avenue Motor Parkway/Trolley BridgeBridge
1909 Survey
This survey shows the area on the border of Mineola and CArle Place where this bridge was built in 1909.
1914 Belcher-Hyde Map
As shown in this 1914 map, Westbury Avenue did not exist when the Motor Parkway was built. The bridge was built at this location to go over the trolley tracks for New York & North Shore Traction Company and called the Hicksville Trolley by Robertson.
New York and North Shore Traction Company
A typical railway car for New York and North Shore Traction Company. The trolley line connected Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside, Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville.
1928 Motor Parkway Atlas
The notations on the Motor Parkway Atlas indicated the "parkway" bridge over N.Y. & N.S.T. Co. with directions to Mineola and Hicksville.
1938 Aerial
The bridge over Westbury Avenue can be seen in this blurry 1938 aerial. Note: The 300-foot embankments.
Comments
I am still flabbergasted when I see all these historic glimpses. How fortunate we are to now be able to fill in some gaps in the coming of the motor parkway.