Question for Hempstead

[911pix]

According to Historian, the arch at the Hempstead track was dedicated on July 4th, 1954, making it possibly the oldest "purpose-built" track in the sport.

Question: does anyone know when construction on the arch began? Tommy Champion seems to remember taking a trip from out west to L.I. to look at the arch as early as 1951...would that be plausible or correct?

[Historian]

Mike:
Here's hoping somebody will take a ride down Weir Street and take a look to confirm the plaque that has the dedication date.

I have also stated that I think Rockville Centre's track is the oldest, "purpose built" track on L.I. and possibly in New York State. I have seen films of drills there, earlier than 1954, and it was the site of the original benefit tournament, that was commonly known as the "Polio Tournament". I think there is a dedication plaque on that structure also.

[911pix]

Thanks Historian

Yes, if any of you guys out Hempstead way or Rockville Centre way could remember to take a quick look for me I'd be most grateful - it's a long hike from East Hampton!

[unclekevie]

In my work travels today, I stopped by both arches and took a look at the dedication plaques. Hempstead to my surprise was not July 4, 1954, but July 5, 1954. Did Hempstead start an annual drill that was not originally on the Forth of July? I usually would bet money on anything that the Historian says. I guess he is human like the rest of us. Unfortunatly Rockville Center did not have a date on the dedication Plaque. It is dedicated to the volunteer fireman of Rockville Center and those who built the arch. There was another dedication plaque on the opposite leg of the arch for an ex-chief that passed away in recent times. The mystery continues!!!!

[911pix]

Kevin,

You've done me a great service (and saved me a long trip!) - thank you!

Assuming what Historian says is true, and the Rockville Centre track is older than Hempstead's, anyone want to venture a guess when it was built?

[ranger2212]

i do think rockville centre is older from looking at pics. i think i have seen pics from there since about 1949. but dont hold me to that? wheres kosmo he dosent know?

[ofdndfd493]

Kosmo's string of championships doesn't go back that long.

[Historian]

Ok, not so hard to figure this one out!

In 1954 the 4th of July fell on a Sunday, so in the days of the "blue laws" the drill was held on the legal holiday, Monday, July 5th. Hempstead always had an annual drill, but it wasn't always held on the 4th of July (or the legal holiday) until they built the arch on Weir Street. (Here's some trivia for ya.......unclekevie grew up on Weir Street!)

The drills were held on different times of the year, and the course was on Madison Avenue off of Mill Rd, now known as Peninsula Blvd. There are pictures in the Memories section of that course.

[bigchief5]

Sorry for the delay on a response to this. The RVC Arch was built in 1935 according to records of the Village.
The road the Arch is on was dedicated to the Fire Department in 1933 and named Ottman Drive for a member of Woodlands who was killed in the line of duty that same year.

[911pix]

Thank you bigchief5!

The RVC Arch was built in 1935 according to records of the Village.

Funny, I went through a whole 6-week process of having to fill out a FOIL (Freedom of Information) request with RVC Village, which had to then be forwarded to the Village Attorney's office, but he was on vacation, yada yada yada...after which time all they could tell me was that they had no record of when it was built, because "any building projects at that time involving municipally-owned structures didn't require a Building Permit" so there was none on file...so now I'm curious which records you were able to find that they couldn't!

[bigchief5]

To 911Pix

While I was serving as Chief in the late 90's we had an issue with the school district and the use of Fireman's Field. The school was using more and more of the field and leaving it a mess.

At that time one of our Ex Chiefs checked all the records, put a history together and presented a report to the Fire Council for our use with the Village and the School District.

The original property was an old sewer plant which was shut down in 1929. The property was dedicated as Firemans Field. He had the arch being constructed in the late 30's.

I serve as a Warden on our Fire Council and the issue with the School still exist. The Village Administrator reported to the Fire Council in February that the Arch was constructed in 1935 to the objection of the residents that lived on Murifield Road.

If it helps I will get you the report and ask the VA how he confirmed the Arch was built in 1935.

[911pix]

bigchief5,

Thanks for the reply. A great story, but just having the date should be plenty for my needs...but, having said that, another piece of the NYSVFPDTCA history "puzzle" has been filled-in for future generations - so thank you!

[911pix]

Okay, I've been reading through the above posts again, and if I understand correctly RVC is not the oldest Purpose-Built track, but Hempstead's is:

The road the Arch is on was dedicated to the Fire Department in 1933 and named Ottman Drive for a member of Woodlands who was killed in the line of duty that same year.

This implies that the road was prexisting as a "regular" road, then re-named to honor the firefighter. If the arch was built in 1935, then it still even isn't the oldest arch: there are photos (here on digger even) of a permanent arch in Sag Harbor in 1922, but there again the track being used was a horse race track and not specifically built for firematic competition.

If I'm wrong about any of this, please do let me know!

Mike

[ranger2212]

but is the sag habor arch still standing? also for how long did it stand for? hempstead and rockville centre arches have been standing for atleast 60 years

[911pix]

You're correct, the Sag Harbor arch is no longer there (but the original stanchions can still be seen in the ground), so I'll agree the RVC arch is probably the oldest still in service!