History of Farmingdale New York

The History of Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale’s rich history begins with Thomas Powell, the first European settler in the area, who arrived in 1687. In 1695, he made a significant land purchase, known as the Bethpage Purchase, acquiring 15 square miles of land from local Native American tribes. This land now encompasses not only Farmingdale but also Bethpage, Melville, North Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Plainedge, and Plainview. Remarkably, one of the two homes Powell built around 1738 still stands today on Merritts Road in Farmingdale.

Farmingdale’s development took off in the 1830s when land developer Ambrose George bought a large tract of land in anticipation of the construction of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). He built a general store and named the area Farmingdale. When the LIRR reached the area in 1841, it adopted the name Farmingdale for its new station. This station soon became a transportation hub, with stagecoaches connecting it to communities across Long Island.

By 1886, Farmingdale had organized its first fire department, and in 1904, it officially became an incorporated village. In 1923, the community saw the development of the Lenox Hills Country Club, an 18-hole private golf course designed by Devereux Emmet. The course was later acquired by New York State, expanded, and reopened in 1932 as Bethpage State Park, featuring designs by the famous golf architect A.W. Tillinghast.

Farmingdale also played a crucial role in the aviation industry, with the Republic Aviation Company establishing a strong presence in the area. One notable event in the town’s history occurred in 1899, when “Mile-a-Minute” Murphy rode his bicycle along the LIRR tracks through Farmingdale, achieving the unprecedented speed of one mile per minute. For many years, the town celebrated its history with the Hardscrabble Fair, a lively event featuring music, food, and games.

Farmingdale Today: Beyond the Village

The name Farmingdale extends beyond the village itself and includes several nearby unincorporated communities, such as South Farmingdale in Nassau County and East Farmingdale in Suffolk County. These areas, although outside the village limits, share the Farmingdale postal address and the 11735 ZIP code. Even Bethpage State Park, located mostly in Old Bethpage, uses Farmingdale as its mailing address.

The Farmingdale Union Free School District (UFSD 22) serves parts of both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including the southern portion of Bethpage State Park. Local services like the Farmingdale Water District and Farmingdale Fire District also cover areas beyond the village boundaries.

Key landmarks, such as Farmingdale State College and Republic Airport, are located in East Farmingdale, further cementing Farmingdale’s broad regional influence.

Farmingdale’s history is a blend of early American settlement, transportation innovation, recreational development, and industrial growth—all of which have shaped it into the vibrant community it is today.