Back to Bethel Week

  |  August 25, 2014
yasgur farm

Max Yasgur’s Dairy Farm in Bethel, Sullivan County

For three days in August of 1969, Max Yasgur’s farm in the sleepy, rural Catskills Mountain town of Bethel in Sullivan County was transformed into a gathering place for peace, love, music, and, of course, mud. Lots of mud. As the 45th anniversary rolled around in mid-August, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts celebrated the event with a screening of the documentary Woodstock and hosting a “Hippie Thanksgiving. And we might be a few days late for the actual anniversary, which was August 15-17, but we’re going to celebrate, anyway, in our own Upstater way: By looking at properties in Bethel, Sullivan County this week. Here’s the lowdown, courtesy Realtor.com:

*Average Home Price: $274,366

*Average Sale Price: $217,850

*Average Price per Square Foot: $144

In our search, we found the goods in the million dollar range all the way down to five-figures. What you’ll find in Bethel is a couple of lake communities, White Lake, and Smallwood. You’ll find Bethel Woods if you need to take in a show. There’s no real town center in the hamlet of Bethel itself, but there are businesses and restaurants closer to White Lake, and Monticello is about 15 minutes away. If you’re coming from the city, Bethel is less than two hours away if traffic cooperates. The rural nature of Bethel hasn’t changed much since those heady hippie days in 1969, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find some peace and love up there in the Catskills. By the way, if you’re considering a lakefront or lake rights house, check out realtor David Knudsen’s article on lake houses in Sullivan County. It’s an excellent starting point.

 

 

 

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

Read more from Kandy Harris

Read On, Reader...