The Long Island Motor Parkway has been described as the first
"high-speed, limited access, reinforced-concrete, landscaped
parkway". It was the brainchild of William "Willie" K. Vanderbilt
Jr. and was built in several stages, eventually running from 195th
Street in Queens to Lake Ronkonkoma, a distance of 48 miles. The
first section of 9 miles opened on October 10, 1908, running from
Merrick Avenue to Round Swamp Road. The Vanderbilt Cup Race was run
on October 24 of that year over a 28 mile course, including these 9
miles.
There were 65 bridges on the Motor Parkway, mostly in Queens and
Nassau, of which a few survive. Some carried the Parkway over the
local roads and others carried the local roads over the Parkway, as
this one did. The Town of North Hempstead has considered tearing
this one down.
From here the Parkway headed east toward Shelter Rock Road and
then south toward East Williston after a small loop between Shelter
Rock and Searingtown Roads. The route can be seen fairly easily on
Google Maps Satellite View or Google Earth.
The Parkway was successful until 1930, when the effects of the
Great Depression and the opening of the (free) Northern State
Parkway led to a steady decline in revenues. The last tolls were
collected on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938. The Right of Way was
turned over to the the counties of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk in
lieu of back taxes. All entrances were blocked off starting April
22.
Cache is a Lock 'N Lock originally containing a collection of
Disney Cars items, including key chains, slinkys, stickers,
tops and some cars. Compass carabineer for the FTF.