10. Farmingdale
The USO show from the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was filmed at the former Republic Airport in Farmingdale. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Located within the Town of Oyster Bay, Farmingdale is a rather quiet village with a developed downtown as well as a SUNY branch. In 1687, Thomas Powell was the first European settler in the area, and after negotiating with Native American Tribes including the Marsapeque, Matinecoc, and Sacatogue, he completed the Bethpage Purchase, which includes all of Farmingdale. The name Bethpage was cleverly named by Powell as it was situated between Jericho and Jerusalem (not Wantagh), just like the biblical town of Bethpage in Israel. The Bethpage Friends Meeting House was built in 1741 and fostered a Quaker community in Farmingdale. About 100 years later, land developer Ambrose George opened up a general store in anticipating the construction of the Long Island Railroad, and the railroad station would later take on the name Farmingdale as well. Bethpage State Park, which includes part of Farmingdale, was opened in 1932 as an 18-hole golf course originally designed by Devereux Emmet. Surprisingly, Farmingdale also became a major location in the airline industry with the opening of Republic Aviation Company.
Farmingdale Station is currently listed on the NRHP, as it originally opened in 1841 and has remained a crucial part of the village’s identity, especially as many spectators stopped there when Bethpage State Park hosted the 2002 and 2009 US Open golf tournaments. Although currently closed, Farmingdale is home to the The American Airpower Museum at Farmingdale’s Republic Airport, featuring over a dozen aircraft. In addition to Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale also contains Emil Gerngras Park and Ellsworth W. Allen Park.
Farmingdale features an exciting line-up of restaurants along its quaint Main Street, including the well-known The Rolling Spring Roll, which serves a selection of Vietnamese classics. Italian favorites range from the popular Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar to Absolutely Mario while American options include Harleys, Whiskey Down Diner, and Library Cafe. Also popular along Main Street are CaraCara Mexican Grill, That Meetball Place, and Tiny Thai.
Next, discover what beaches are open on Long Island and learn about the urban development of five of Long Island’s planned communities.