White Lake, New York
Encyclopedia
White Lake is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Bethel
, Sullivan County, New York
on the southeast shore of a lake of the same name. It was the closest community to the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969.
The community has a post office on New York Route 17B. Its zip code
is 12786. Its population in 2000 was reported at 665 and is the largest community in the town of Bethel. The Bethel Town Hall is also located in the community.
The lake 41°41′01"N 74°50′06"W which is reported to be the deepest lake (80 feet) in Sullivan County. Residents in the 19th century claimed that the biggest brook trout
in the world (8 pounds 14 ounces) was caught in the lake in 1843.
According to local lore its name was Native American Kauneonga—meaning lake with two wings (the lake has a Figure 8
layout resembling wings). The White Lake name is said to have come from the white sand beaches on its shores and white bottom. The northern portion of White Lake, formerly known as North White Lake, is now called Kauneonga Lake.
A saw mill and grist mill were established at the outlet of the lake around 1804. In 1811 a hotel was established in the community starting a long history of it becoming a resort.
The History of Sullivan County reports, "Physicians frequently send invalids to recover health from its life giving qualities. Instances of recovery almost incredible might be given: so that those who wish to combine rare scenery with healthiness of climate, a sojourn during the summer-months is desirable."
Writer Alfred B. Street extolled its virtues in his poem "White Lake" which includes these lines:
The New York Times in 1903 wrote, "The railroad station for White Lake is either Liberty
or Monticello
. A picturesque drive over the Shawangunk Mountains brings one to this beautiful lake. The hotels which are on both sides are among the best in Sullivan County. At this place all aquatic sports may be indulged in."
In the late 19th century large grand hotels including the Mansion House were built on the shores. In the early 20th century grand hotels gave way to bungalow
style motels as it became a popular Borscht Belt
destination. More than 24 hotels and camps catering to Jews. Among these hotels was the Fur Workers' Resort (later White Lake Lodge, then Camp Hi-Li) which was initially aimed a furriers. The furriers gave it up after discovering that summer was the busiest season for them.
In the 1960s with the Borscht Belt declining various people made attempts to revitalize the area including an attempt by the Monticello Raceway
to have harness racing
on the frozen lake in the winter.
The community is home to two synagogues: Orthodox Congregation Beth Sinai, open year-round and led by Rabbi Samuel J. Fishbain, and Conservative Temple Beth-El, open from June to the High Holidays. It is also home to the Lapidus bungalow colony, which boasts a new large synagogue and mikvah belonging to the Satmar
Community of Grand Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, who visits on occasion, as his summer residence is in nearby Swan Lake, NY. Nearby, the Klausenberger Hasidic community of Union City, NJ also has a bungalo colony with a synagogue and mikvah, where the Zvhiller Rebbe of Union City, NJ, spends his summer and conducts a tish
weekly.
In 1969, Elliot Tiber
, whose parents owned the dilapidated El Monaco Motel on Route 17B, received a permit from the town of Bethel to stage a music festival on the motel grounds. When in July 1969 Wallkill, Orange County, New York
refused to issue a permit for the Woodstock Festival, Tiber suggested they use his permit for the concert at the motel. Since the space was too small, the producers then staged the festival on the farm of Max Yasgur
about three miles northwest of White Lake.
Bethel, New York
Bethel is a town in Sullivan County, New York, USA. The population has been estimated at 4,532 in 2007.The town received worldwide fame after it became the host of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, which was originally planned for Wallkill, New York, but was relocated to Bethel after Wallkill withdrew.-...
, Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
on the southeast shore of a lake of the same name. It was the closest community to the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969.
The community has a post office on New York Route 17B. Its zip code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 12786. Its population in 2000 was reported at 665 and is the largest community in the town of Bethel. The Bethel Town Hall is also located in the community.
The lake 41°41′01"N 74°50′06"W which is reported to be the deepest lake (80 feet) in Sullivan County. Residents in the 19th century claimed that the biggest brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
in the world (8 pounds 14 ounces) was caught in the lake in 1843.
According to local lore its name was Native American Kauneonga—meaning lake with two wings (the lake has a Figure 8
Figure 8
Figure 8 may refer to:* 8 , in Arabic numeralsIn entertainment* Figure 8 , by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith* "Figure of Eight" from the album Flowers in the Dirt by Paul McCartney...
layout resembling wings). The White Lake name is said to have come from the white sand beaches on its shores and white bottom. The northern portion of White Lake, formerly known as North White Lake, is now called Kauneonga Lake.
A saw mill and grist mill were established at the outlet of the lake around 1804. In 1811 a hotel was established in the community starting a long history of it becoming a resort.
The History of Sullivan County reports, "Physicians frequently send invalids to recover health from its life giving qualities. Instances of recovery almost incredible might be given: so that those who wish to combine rare scenery with healthiness of climate, a sojourn during the summer-months is desirable."
Writer Alfred B. Street extolled its virtues in his poem "White Lake" which includes these lines:
- Hark! like an organ's tones, the woods
- To the light wind murmurs wake;
- The voice of the vast solitudes
- Is speaking to the lake
The New York Times in 1903 wrote, "The railroad station for White Lake is either Liberty
Liberty, New York
Liberty, New York relates to two locations in Sullivan County, New York, United States:*Liberty , New York*Liberty , New York...
or Monticello
Monticello, New York
Monticello is a village located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 6,512 at the 2000 census. It is the seat for the Town of Thompson and the county seat of Sullivan County...
. A picturesque drive over the Shawangunk Mountains brings one to this beautiful lake. The hotels which are on both sides are among the best in Sullivan County. At this place all aquatic sports may be indulged in."
In the late 19th century large grand hotels including the Mansion House were built on the shores. In the early 20th century grand hotels gave way to bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
style motels as it became a popular Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt, or Jewish Alps, is a colloquial term for the mostly defunct summer resorts of the Catskill Mountains in parts of Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties in upstate New York that were a popular vacation spot for New York City Jews from the 1920s through the 1960s.-Name:The name comes from...
destination. More than 24 hotels and camps catering to Jews. Among these hotels was the Fur Workers' Resort (later White Lake Lodge, then Camp Hi-Li) which was initially aimed a furriers. The furriers gave it up after discovering that summer was the busiest season for them.
In the 1960s with the Borscht Belt declining various people made attempts to revitalize the area including an attempt by the Monticello Raceway
Monticello Raceway
Monticello Gaming and Raceway is a harness racing track, and home to a relatively new racino, in Monticello, Sullivan County, New York. It is off Exit 104 of Route 17 , on New York State Route 17B....
to have harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
on the frozen lake in the winter.
The community is home to two synagogues: Orthodox Congregation Beth Sinai, open year-round and led by Rabbi Samuel J. Fishbain, and Conservative Temple Beth-El, open from June to the High Holidays. It is also home to the Lapidus bungalow colony, which boasts a new large synagogue and mikvah belonging to the Satmar
Satmar (Hasidic dynasty)
Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
Community of Grand Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, who visits on occasion, as his summer residence is in nearby Swan Lake, NY. Nearby, the Klausenberger Hasidic community of Union City, NJ also has a bungalo colony with a synagogue and mikvah, where the Zvhiller Rebbe of Union City, NJ, spends his summer and conducts a tish
Tish
Tish may refer to:* Tish , a Hasidic gathering of Hassidim around their Rebbe* Tish Jones, a recurring fictional character in the television series Doctor Who...
weekly.
In 1969, Elliot Tiber
Elliot Tiber
Elliot Tiber, born Elliot Teichberg in 1935, is an artist and screenwriter who has written a memoir about the Woodstock Festival, held in Bethel, New York in 1969....
, whose parents owned the dilapidated El Monaco Motel on Route 17B, received a permit from the town of Bethel to stage a music festival on the motel grounds. When in July 1969 Wallkill, Orange County, New York
Wallkill, Orange County, New York
Wallkill is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 24,659 at the 2000 census.The Town of Wallkill is centrally located in the county. Interstate 84 crosses New York State Route 17 in the southern part of the town. U.S...
refused to issue a permit for the Woodstock Festival, Tiber suggested they use his permit for the concert at the motel. Since the space was too small, the producers then staged the festival on the farm of Max Yasgur
Max Yasgur
Max B. Yasgur was an American farmer, best known as the owner of the dairy farm in Bethel, New York at which the Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held between August 15 and August 18, 1969....
about three miles northwest of White Lake.