On hundred years ago in this town, thousands of spectators watched in awe as Charles M. Murphy broke a world record in bicycling, riding a mile in just less than a minute behind a Long Island Rail Road train. The day was June 30, 1899, and the onlookers could only imagine the exhilaration and triumph that the young daredevil from Brooklyn was feeling.

This spring, Farmingdale will recall that excitement when the community commemorates the centennial of the historic event.

The Village of Farmingdale and the village's official historians, in conjunction with the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society, the Long Island Rail Road and LIRR Historical Society, as well as other local groups are planning a major "Mile-A-Minute Murphy" anniversary celebration, slated for June 26 in the village.

Although in the preliminary development stages, the event is expected to feature a re-dedication of the Farmingdale train station and a plaque dedication for Murphy, a family bicycle parade and possible children's bicycle decorating contest in the village.

During a Feb. 10 Mile-A-Minute committee planning meeting at Farmingdale Village Hall, Deputy Village Historian Dan Looney described several other ideas which are in the works. These include the following:

*Jim Foote, the well-known Teddy Roosevelt look-alike will be on hand. (T.R. was governor of New York at the time of Mile-A-Minute Murphy's historic bike ride.)

*The committee has contacted the daughter of the engineer of the train Murphy followed, and she is expected to be a part of the celebration. One or more descendants of Murphy are still being sought, and anyone with information on how to locate them are asked to contact the committee. (The Village Historians may be reached by leaving a message at Farmingdale Village Hall: 249-0093.)

*The committee is also looking into the possibility of having antique cars and banjo players at the event.

*A show-mobile that would be the site of speeches from local elected officials is expected.

*The New York City Transit Museum is placing the event on its calendar of special events, and will send a group of patrons to experience a walking history tour of Farmingdale Village that day.

In addition to these aspects, the Farmingdale Post Office is cooperating with the committee on creating a cacheted cover envelope with commemorative Mile-A-Minute Murphy cancellation.

The Mile-a-Minute event ties into the ongoing historic restoration of the Farmingdale Railroad Station, which will climax in the spring just in time for the event, with the restoration of the interior and windows of the waiting room, and painting of the building. "The railroad station is our first step to heightened consciousness of Farmingdale's heritage," Farmingdale Village Historian Bill Johnston said this week, adding that support and involvement from the local community is being sought. "We need to celebrate Farmingdale more often, and give it a greater identity."

Charles M. Murphy was about 30 years old when he made the historic Mile-a-Minute ride behind a Long Island Rail Road train, at a speed of about 60 miles per hour.

Murphy, a prize winning bicyclist from Brooklyn, rode on a long plankway specially constructed by the LIRR for him. According to historians, Murphy's position in the hood of the train's coach created a vacuum effect which enabled the great speed.

The stunt was not only exciting - it was dangerous. Historians say he had to be quickly pulled into the coach at the completion of the mile to prevent what could have been a fatal accident.

The one-mile route, which Murphy completed in 57.8 seconds, started on the Central branch of the LIRR south southeast of Farmingdale, and ended in Babylon. It was orchestrated by LIRR special agent and expert photographer Hal B. Fullerton to publicize the railroad.

Murphy, who broke the world record in bicycling, was featured at the World's Fair for his feat, and was honored by Farmingdale with a "Mile-A-Minute Day" in the village in 1939.

Murphy died on Feb. 17, 1950 at the age of 79. An obituary on him in the Feb. 24, 1950 edition of the Farmingdale Post described him as "one of the men who added a bright spot of color to Farmingdale history."

-A.M.