Bethpage        

K4s #5406 and Sunday-only train #4229 westbound past "B" Tower  Bethpage Jct. 5/11/47  (G. E. Votava photo)  (Note white-painted smokebox!) Archive: Dave Keller

Warren L. Kessler, Inc 
LIRR #1558 RS3 Westbound  in 1957 Photo: Joe Hagan (4)

LIRR  #608 08/01/1972 westbound
 Photo: Brian Woodruff

LIRR C420 #221 Westbound commuter accelerates away from "B" Tower after brief stop for a signal at Bethpage, NY 05/06/67


LIRR #1520 RS2 Westbound freight switching Sturtevant Coal at Broadway Ave.

LIRR #455  08/01/1972 
Photo: Brian Woodruff

LIRR #1552 Westbound 
Archive: Joe Tischner ⁽³⁾

 NYA #271 Westbound past "B" Tower  Bethpage Jct. 09/19/08 
 Photo: Joe Tischner

B Tower Tr #4250 eastbound 01/1979 Photo: Jim Gillin

(1) Compare this early shot taken by George Votava looking east toward “B” tower with Joe Tischner’s photo, marked (3). I borrowed Joe’s color shots from the forum to use as a comparison. 

Bear in mind Votava’s view was shot from the remains of the old, unused, Long Island Motor Parkway overpass over the LIRR AND over Central Ave. (Formerly Central Park Ave.)

(2) Joe Tischner’s shot marked (2) is looking the other way.  Joe mentions that the bridge abutments (shown in line with the 2nd hopper) are those for the overpass over Central Avenue . Votava’s photo (1) shows Central Ave (formerly Central Park Ave. ) AT GRADE. See how close to Central Ave. the siding began? Compared to the old photo above, it would have passed right in front of the door to the crossing watchman’s outhouse had it been laid prior to elevating the ROW and tracks and/or depressing the crossing of Central Ave. or a combination of both to make the grade less steep for trains to climb!  Dave Keller

(3) This shot is looking in the same direction as the old shot marked (1).  Look at the tower in the right background and siding branching off in the foreground and compare to Votava’s photo, using the tower in the right background for reference . . . . . . no siding back then, of course and Central Ave. was at grade.   Input: Dave Keller

(4) Passing Warren L. Kessler, Inc., 300 Broadway Ave., Bethpage, NY  Manufacturer of  lamps, candle holders, etc.

In l939 (the company operated from 1938-1978 )Warren Kessler built a factory on the site of the Feuchsel Pickle Works, located north of the railroad tracks, east* of Broadway.  This company manufactured lamps and lighting units for all the American embassies around the world.  Exquisite Kessler lamps were included in the remodeling of the Truman White House. Motto in l946 "What Bethpage Makes - Makes Bethpage."  Warren L. Kessler, Inc.  Manufacturers of lamps and decorative accessories.  Known throughout the nation for exquisite glass products. Source: Encyclopedia of the Unincorporated Village of Bethpage 

Kessler Empire Style Candelabra Lampe

In the year 2000, a CVS drug/convenience store was built on the site of the Kessler factory east of the   tracks on 300 Broadway Ave. 

Photo: Al Castelli

KESSLER GLASS Historical Marker
Site of Warren Kessler Inc. manufacturer of hand-blown lamps & vases 1938-78 that have graced the White House and U.S. Embassies worldwide 
Donated by the Kessler Family 

Photo: Al Castelli

(5) The General Motors siding was the interlocked siding by B Tower east of Bethpage. The crews used to have to tie up the interlocking to switch it, by using the block operator to throw the switches for them. Quite interesting! The switch was removed probably when the line was electrified. As mentioned, the building still stands, but it is not GM anymore. The building is now a Sleepy's mattress.  Info: Pat Scopelliti