LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Bethel

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to now
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Bethel, New York; and
WHEREAS, The great Town of Bethel is located in the center of Sullivan
County, New York; it is only 90 miles northwest of New York City and 20
miles from the famous Delaware River; the population of 4,362 expands to
about 10,000 during the summer season due to its abundance of beautiful
lakes, excellent fishing areas, and recreation programs; and
WHEREAS, On March 27, 1809, by an Act of Legislature, a large portion
of land was separated from the territory of Lumberland and designated as
the Town of Bethel; the Leni-Lenape Indians were the first inhabitants;
among the first settlers were John, George, and Peter Pintler, from
Sussex, New Jersey, who set up their homestead in 1798, between what is
now known as White Lake and Bethel; and
WHEREAS, By 1810, several settlements were set up in different parts
of the Town including Hurd Settlement, Fraser Settlement, Briscoe, North
White Lake, Bushville, and Stephensville; with the completion of the
Newburgh-Cochecton Turnpike (now Rt. 17B) more hamlets sprouted along
and near its route including Mongaup Mill, Black Lake, Moscoe, White
Lake, and Bethel; in 1810, the first town meeting was held with John
Conklin as Supervisor; and
WHEREAS, The settlers who came to Bethel were industrious and enter-
prising; farm land was immediately cleared and sawmills, grist mills,
and tanneries were quickly established; in the mid 1800s, the
construction of hotels began; most were developed from farmhouses which
were turned into boarding houses; Hotel Rita, The Mansion House, Gray's,
the Kenmore, and the Empire House were all located around the lake and
successful into the 1940s; and
WHEREAS, In 1928, A. N. Smallwood started to develop into a summer
retreat of "log cabins" land once farmed by families with names such as
Gabriel, Ballard, and VanKeuren; he called it Mountain Lakes but it soon
became Smallwood after its founder; what was once a bustling summer
resort is now, for many, a year-round residence; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s other summer home communities emerged including
the White Lake Homes and the Beechwoods, located on the White Lake;
today, several of these homes are used as year-round residences and
other second-home communities have developed including The Chapin
Estate, The Highlands at Bethel, Bethel Farms, Black Lake Estates,
Oxford Estates, Gina Homes, Jenna Estates, Tallwood Estates, and Crest-
wood Mountain Farms; and
WHEREAS, In July 1969, the Sullivan County International Airport began
operation; today, there is no carrier although private planes and jets
fly in and out of the beautiful airport; visitors may watch the planes
from the picnic area which is open during the warmer months; and
WHEREAS, In August 1969, the Town of Bethel became the equivalent to
the third largest city in New York State overnight due to the Woodstock
Festival, three days and nights of peace and music, a truly unique
historical event that caught the attention of the entire world; current-
ly, there is a monument at the site listing the performers; and
WHEREAS, In the Spring of 1997, Alan Gerry, a Liberty businessman,
purchased the original site as well as numerous amounts of acreage

around and nearby the site for development of a music and arts center;
it is now known as the Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center and Museum;
in 1998, Alan Gerry's company G.F. Entertainment hosted the Day in the
Garden, which was a successful three day concert; and
WHEREAS, Since 1996, the Town of Bethel has had an economic develop-
ment rebirth; many businesses have located in Bethel especially along
the Rt. 17B corridor and plans are in the works for more; the Sullivan
County Industrial Park is also located in Bethel and has two businesses,
Sutphen East and Grisar Automobiles; Sutphen East manufactures fire
trucks; Grisar Automobiles produces kit cars; and
WHEREAS, From the day of tanneries, sawmills, and grist mills, the
Town of Bethel has continued to progress while maintaining its small
town feel; many country stores, farms, and other businesses still
remain, some dating back to 1901; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Bethel continues its commitment to enhancing the
quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institu-
tional and educational climate, and providing all essential services;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Bethel, recognizing the
significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the commu-
nity of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Bethel.