Life as an heir William Kissam Vanderbilt II

vanderbilt , powerful mercedes @ daytona (1904). courtesy florida photographic collection

the vanderbilt cup auto races repeatedly had crowd control problems , @ 1906 race spectator killed. seeing potential solve safety issue improve attendance race, willie formed corporation build long island motor parkway, 1 of country s first modern paved parkways not used race open long island easy access , economic development. construction began in 1907 of multimillion-dollar toll highway run kissena corridor in queens county on numerous bridges , overpasses lake ronkonkoma, distance of 48 miles (77 km). however, toll road never able generate sustainable profits , in 1938 formally ceded county governments in lieu of $80,000 due in taxes.

his new high-speed road complemented train service allowed rapid exit manhattan. becoming first suburban automobile commuter, in 1910 willie began work on more elaborate , costly eagle s nest estate @ centerport, long island. avid collector of natural history , marine specimens other anthropological objects, traveled extensively aboard yacht overland numerous destinations around globe. acquired vast array of artifacts collection during well-documented travels , after service united states navy during world war i, published book titled trip through sicily, tunisia, algeria, , southern france. few years later, engaged curator american museum of natural history participate him in scientific voyage galapagos islands.