Greg O’s Garage; ‘The Long Island Motor Parkway Watchman’s Cabin’ Blueprints
A blueprint has been found for the 'Watchman's Cabin'.
More commonly known as Toll Kiosks, the December 1909 blueprints called them 'Watchman's Cabins'.
Greg O.
The Blueprints
Not all toll structures were the John Russel Pope designed, residential lodges. In a few locations along the parkway, a simple kiosk was all that was needed to collect tolls, sometimes teamed with a toll lodge..
Mostly referred to as kiosks now, they also may have been referred to as gates, booths or shanties as well.
Closeup exterior and window detail.
Detail showing coal storage. While not indicated on the plans, coal storage and a chimney leads one to believe there must have been some sourse of heating in these cabins.
Areas for locker and oil storage also indicated on the plans. Another assumption can be made that the oil storage was for automotive oil in case a motorist was in need.
Comprehensive construction material list
Fresh Meadows Kiosk/Cabin
The Nassau Boulevard Toll Lodge (kiosk/cabin) was similar (although smaller) than kiosks in Lake Success, Mineola and Brentwood and was unmanned.
This kiosk/cabin stood until the parkway closed. This closeup is from a larger photo from the July 9th, 1938, opening day of the new walking/biking trail conversion of the parkway in Queens.
Great Neck Kiosk/Cabin
Ticket booth kiosk looking west, south of Great Neck Lodge (Demolished 1939)
It is unclear as to who is the toll collector in this photo. Maybe Al Velocci has a little more insight into this mystery.
Jericho Kiosk/Cabin
In use from 1909 to 1922. It was taken down after the larger Mineola Lodge was opened in 1922.
East view of the kiosk from the Clinton A. Robertson Long Island Motor Parkway Construction Photo Album.
West view of the Jericho kiosk from the Clinton A. Robertson Long Island Motor Parkway Construction Photo Album.
The adjacent sign indicated this section opened on October 30, 1909 right after the completion of the Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Brentwood Kiosk/Cabin
Ticket booth kiosk at Washington Avenue (Demolished 1921)
Comments
Greg, The toll collector outside the kiosk is Sidney A. Jones This kiosk was located just west of the Great Neck Lodge Photo taken in 1912. This location had both a lodge and a kiosk in operation at the same time. At the time tolls were collected at the kiosk from motorists entering the Parkway at Rocky Hill Road.
Al-
So in 1921 when the Hillside Avenue Lodge (1921-1928) and the Rocky Hill Road Lodge (1928- 1938) opened, the kiosk was inactive until its demolition in 1939?
And also, did Sidney Jones transfer and begin working at the Rocky Hill Lodge in 1928?
Greg- from what I’ve gathered, the Great Neck kiosk was mostly active, serving as a checkpoint for many motorists entering from the west entrances (the heaviest traffic) through Hillside Av and Rocky Hill, including the man-made entry point from Black Stump Rd (73 Av).
Also appears Sidney Jones was the most flexible toll collector at the time, assigned to various locations along the Motor Parkway.
Love to hear from Al anytime!
Greg, Frank,...Sidney A. Jones was the second longest employee on the Parkway after A. J. Kienzle. Jones started his employ at the Meadowbrook Lodge on the Parkway’s opening day, Oct. 6, 1908. On July 7, 1910 he opened the Great Neck Lodge and would remain there for 18 years until opening the Rocky Hill Road Lodge on July 1, 1928. The photo of Jones shows him in the new Jacket and Cap made of blue serge material, issued to the toll collectors in early 1912. The caps were embraided “toll gate keeper” in yellow silk letters…..the jacket collars with “Motor Parkway” in gilt block letters AND the buttons on the jackets stamped with a P. More to come.
Frank… The entrance to the Parkway from Black Stump road was a temporary situation. While the Parkway ROW was completed to Nassau Blvd. at the time, Nassau Blvd. was not quite finished working on signage, striping, lighting etc. In fact the City wrote the Parkway asking them to delay the opening of the Parkway to Nassau Blvd. as as not to dump all that traffic onto the almost ready Nassau Blvd.
Greg, ...The kiosk at the Great Neck Lodge was not demolished in 1939. It was part of the purchase of the Great Neck Lodge by Alex Grego. His granddaughter, Adele Grego Halpin, in 1907 told me the “toll booth” was moved to the front lawn of the lodge and used as a playhouse. What we do for our grandchildren !!!!
From Greg O.
Al-
Great info, thanks! As always, your wealth of knowledge is always appreciated!
As far as the demolition date, that was ‘borrowed’ from another post on the site that will be corrected.
Al-
Also, I noticed in your comments that you mentioned Adele told you about the toll booth in 1907…you’ve known her for quite a long time!
Greg, Nice catch, should be 1997. Regarding the Brentwood kiosk, it was not demolished. In April 1922 it was moved to the northeast corner of the Parkway and Commack Rd, and Louis Austin installed as the toll collector. He bought it the next year for $40.00 after a full blown toll lodge was built on the southeast corner of that intersection and named the Brentwood Lodge at Commack.