LI Motor Parkway 1908–1911

The Long Island Motor Parkway, more than any other relic from the early years of the 20th century, illustrates the vast difference in the way-oflife between then and now. The automobile in itself, then in its infancy, was similar infunction to the automobile of today, but the roads that we now live by are a far cry from the patchy dirt roads of a hundred years ago. With the advent of the automobile the need for better roads became apparent and William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and his motorist friends decided to set an example. The result was the Motor Parkway—the first major attempt in the United States to create a limited access, pleasurable, dust-free driving experience for the motorist. The route was chosen carefully for its scenicquality. Curves that appear to be natural were in reality skillfully engineered with considerable movement of earth. That it was the first longdistance road to be built of special concrete, designed by an engineer, and had 65 bridges across intersections was revolutionary, but the fact that it was so narrow is the eye-opener, only 16 ft. and later 22 ft. wide—thus reflecting the unique pioneering aspect of the enterprise. Efforts are underway to have the historic and cultural significance of the road recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Portions are found in Cunningham Park, Queens, also there are a few scattered remnants in Nassau County, and a relatively intact 14-mile section in Suffolk County. The first step is the preparation of a Multiple Property Documentation Form.