Kleiner’s Korner: Three Unbridged Motor Parkway Crossings
In a previous post I displayed an article from 1924 that commented on the need for bridges to cross the Motor Parkway in the area of Half Hollow Hills. These bridges were actually on the original plans but never built much to the disappointment of the local population.
Art Kleiner
The need for the bridges was noted in this article in "The Long Islander, Mar. 14, 1924" along with Mrs. Jones needing a better view of The Motor Parkway.
Living close to the parkway, the Jones' must have also felt the need for bridges to be built.
The view today near the Thomas' estate.
The area where the bridges were originally planned to be built (1909).
According to this 1910 Motor Parkway document, there were 2 farmway bridges and 3 parkway bridges to be built.
However, this document of unbuilt bridges notes that not all bridges in Half Hollow Hills were constructed.
An original Motor Parkway survey map indicating the locations that were planned to have farmway bridges: stations 898 and 910. I believe the bridge at station 922 was built.
A close-up of the area.
In 1973 Suffolk County prepared plans for improving County Road 67, which depending on which portion of it you are traveling is called Motor Parkway or Vanderbilt Parkway. (Suffolk County Dept. of Transportation, 1973)
Station 23, Blyndenburgh Road. (Suffolk County Dept. of Transportation, 1973)
A current view of The Motor Parkway (Road 67) and Blydenburgh Road. Any guess on who is driving the white vehicle?
Comments
Hi Art, hope retirement is going well for you.
Think the Motor Parkway Survey Map with the 3 bridge stations is viewed South. Nothing wrong with that, but it made me overthink a bit lol. So below is this map positioned North. I could be wrong, but I also marked - 898 as Burrs La, and 922 as Half Hollow Rd ( the west termination today ) 910 is the planned farmway bridge station between these 2. Maybe at the time, Burrs La was connecting farm rd; rather than a main rd.
Then a map of the area in 1917, also a blurry map showing more south. There was a RR spur off the main line, that is between Conklin/Bsgatelle Rd and the LIMP. I’ve noticed this spur on some maps. Believe a Brickyard ( Terra Cotta ) used this spur for transporting to the mainline. But I think by the time the LIMP was constructed, this spur was abandoned.
The driver in the white vehicle in the last photo is Hymie Vanderbilt, Willie K,‘s great-great grandson. He’s kept the Vanderbilt family legacy extant by applying for a patent (U.S. Patent #H.K. 63469221) for his invention of an automobile fuel additive that extends the mileage of an internal combustion engine by up to 75MPG.
Thanks for asking Brian - I’m going on 5 years being retired (or as Howard corrected me, refocused!). Best job I’ve ever had. As my dad many times said, “keep your mind and body active and you’ll be fine”. He was retired from age 55 until his passing at 91 and lived that saying to the fullest. I try to follow his example and so far so good! Motor Parkway research is just one part of my on-going activities.
You may be correct in your assessment - wonder if others may have something to offer on your thinking.
And Frank, good guess on the white car occupant. Wonder if Hymie is a reader of vanderbiltcupraces.com