Kleiner’s Korner: A Hundred Years Ago on The Motor Parkway (Part 1 -January-March 1924)
What was really happening on our favorite roadway 100 years ago? Read on . . .
While there are numerous sources that detail the evolution of The Motor Parkway (vanderbiltcupraces.com being the foremost resource) how did the parkway impact the people that traveled on it, the people that lived near it and the businesses that operated alongside? This new series will uncover by way of thousands of newspaper and magazine clippings the everyday events that involved The Motor Parkway. Some accounts may be mundane but others might shed new light on how the roadway effected Long Islanders.
The first installment of this series will look at clippings from January thru March, 1924. Installments may be monthly or quarterly depending on the volume of material. Hope you enjoy this 100 year old look at everyday news of The Motor Parkway. And feel free to add comments or shed additional light on any of the items shown.
Art Kleiner
Extra-Curricula Activities on the Parkway Banned
A little hard to read but this article discusses a bill put forward by a NY state legislator that would be "the death-knell of love nests on the motor parkway"! Basically the bill would prohibit parking outside of cities and villages. Would the $25 fine be enough to stop "love birds"? Think back to your younger days! More on the use of The Motor Parkway for "petting parties" here. (Times Union Jan. 8, 1924).
The Motor Parkway and GM's Proving Ground
In 1924 General Motors created a testing laboratory on a tract of land comprising all types of roads with varying grades, straightaways, curves, etc. to emulate true road conditions. The Motor Parkway and the Indianapolis Speedway were cited as being the only comparable entities. (Automotive Industries Feb. 14, 1924)
Roadways were constructed with concrete, tarvia and gravel and pitched at different grades with straightaways given enough land to be lengthened in the future. (Automotive Industries Feb. 14, 1924)
A view of the lab's curved roadway and straightaway. (motorcities.org)
The layout of the proving ground from GM's Media Archives. Note the Gate House alongside and the "Bath Tub" on the upper right. Any guesses as to what the "Bath Tub" might be? (motorcities.org)
A current view of the proving grounds.
Evidence of Official Misuse of The Motor Parkway
The unnecessary use of The Motor Parkway by four Brooklyn detectives was used as an example of this investigation's mismanagement. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Feb. 27, 1924)
Evidence showed the detectives paying the Motor Parkway toll of $1.10 to travel to a place of investigation instead of using the free Montauk Highway. I'm not sure if any thing more resulted from their misconduct or what crime they were investigating. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Feb. 27, 1924)
Brooklyn's Motor Parkway
Ever hear of the "South Long Island Motor Parkway"? (Times Union Mar. 2, 1924)
Racing Maniacs on The Motor Parkway and Three Unbuilt Bridges
Ms. Catherine Jones of Half Hollows wanted a better view of the "racing auto maniacs" who drove recklessly on the Motor Parkway so she cut down her hedges. The article notes three unbridged Motor Parkway highway crossings in the area and suggested town officials do something about it as was done in Babylon. More on these three unbridged crossings in a soon to be released post. (The Long Islander Mar. 14, 1924)
Ms. Jones was the husband of Thomas Jones and whose property of 300 acres was where The Motor Parkway intersected Half Hollows Road. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Aug. 21, 1946)
The Motor Parkway ran through the Jones' land.
Two woman near the intersection of Half Hollow Road and The Motor Parkway.
And a more recent photo courtesy of Al Velocci.
Fire!!!
Fire on The Motor Parkway! Just south and east of the Jones property was land owned by Joseph Kirkland which also abutted the parkway. Quick thinking of neighbors helped limit any destruction caused by the fire. (The Long Islander Mar. 28, 1924)
Comments
Fun interesting stories Art. Keep em coming.