Vanderbilt Cup Races

1923 Belcher Hyde Map

 Mitchel Field was originally established in 1917 as Aviation Field #2 just south of Hazelhurst Field as a training and storage base. It was named Mitchel Field in July 1918 after former New York City Mayor John Purroy Mitchel, who was killed while training for the air service in Louisana.

The Motor Parkway was less than one-half mile north of Mitchel Field. The "Hempstead Spur Road" to the west of Mitchel Field connecting the Motor Parkway with Fulton Street was never built.

Then: January 1, 1924

In this view looking east, the Motor Parkway was on the far right. Mitchel Field was just a grassy field.

The Roosevelt Field Motor Parkway Bridge can be seen in the left corner of the aerial

Then: September 4, 1924

M I T C H E L was spelled out across the top of the original hangars.

Then: October 10, 1927

As commented below by Garry Hammond, the remains of the early Mitchel Field buildings can be seen along the right corner.

Then: November 5, 1931

By 1931, the size of the field and number of buildings continued to expand.

Then: May 2, 1933

Note the new hangars, several are still standing today as part of the Cradle of Aviation and Nassau County Museum Row.

Then: July 30, 1936

This view was looking west with a great view of the original Meadow Brook Golf  Club and one of the polo fields of the Meadow Brook Club. Merrick Avenue is across the bottom.

Then: September 11, 1936

The newly constructed Roosevelt Raceway, the site of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races, was captured in this aerial.

Then: January 13, 1937

There was still no paved Mitchel Field runways in January 1937.

Then: August 3, 1938

The first concrete runway can be seen under construction.

Then: August 10, 1938

Note how close Roosevelt Field was to Mitchel Field.

Then: May 18, 1939

The second runway was being built.

Then: July 11, 1939

Then: September 5, 1940

With war expanding throughout the world, Mitchel Field now had  three runways. The closed Motor Parkway can be seen on the bottom of the aerial. The Motor Parkway  bridges over Merrick Avenue and Clinton Road had already been taken down.

Then: March 6, 1941

Looking north, the Meadow Brook Golf Club and Coldstream Golf Club were on the right. Front Street runs across the bottom of the aerial.

Then: September 1, 1948

Then:1960s

After 54 years of operation, Mitchel Field closed on April 15, 1961. Note the Meadowbrook Parkway and Roosevelt Harness Racway.

Now: Current Views

Today's Google Earth shows the Motor Parkway and the Mitchel Field area. Much of the property has been taken over by Nassau Community College, Hofstra University, Nassau Coliseum, Museum Row and office complexes. Note two sections of one runway still remain.

The southern section of the runway has been paved over and acts as a very long parking lot for Hofstra University.

In the northern section,  the original concrete runway remains in place. As commented below by Arthur Emerson, this area is currently used for Nassau County EVOC (Emergency Vehicles Operator Course) programs.

In this very spot, a little bit of film history was made here 42 years ago.

The famous Godfather death film scene of Sonny Corleone was shot here in 1972. The TV tower for the Diocese of Rockville Center can be seen in the background above Sonny Corleone's ill-fated car.

This is the Godfather film location and TV tower as seen today. It's a match!

On Sunday, you will be able to see many classic cars ,including Chrysler's Chrysler, in front of the Cradle of Aviation and the Mitchel Field hangars.

Link to more information on Mitchel Field and Long Island's abandoned airfields.