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Our Bethel, ME real estate website provides a wealth of information for home buyers and home sellers. Below, you will find information on the history and culture of Bethel as well as links to more detailed information such as demographics and schools. You may view a virtual tour, search homes for sale, and access information on different types of properties such as condos, farms, foreclosures, and vacation homes. This website will give you everything you need to buy or sell a home in Bethel, ME.
Virtual Homes is a full-service residential real estate company dedicated to providing a wealth of real estate and local community information to home buyers and home sellers. Our agents are ready to assist you with all of your real estate needs.
Bethel ME Community Profile & History
Bethel, Maine is a small town in Oxford County. Nestled amidst the eastern peaks of the White Mountains near the New Hampshire border, Bethel remains a popular four-season destination for outdoor recreation, sightseeing and leisure. Once the site of an Abenaki Indian village on the north side of the Androscoggin River, Bethel was first settled by Europeans in about 1774. The Revolutionary War delayed further settlement for nearly a decade, after which the community grew rapidly. On June 10, 1796, Sudbury-Canada Plantation was incorporated as Bethel, the name taken from the Book of Genesis and meaning "House of God."
In 1802, a trade road (now Route 26) was completed from Portland to Errol, New Hampshire, passing through Bethel and bringing growth. More settlers and businesses arrived. Crops were planted on fertile intervales and meadows formerly cultivated by Indians. Bethel soon emerged as one of the best farming towns in the state, especially for hay and potatoes. In winter, farmers found work logging, with the lumber cut at sawmills operated by water power from streams. Other manufacturers produced flour, leather and harnesses, furniture, boots and shoes, carriages, and marble and granite work. The Bethel House, a large hotel, was built in 1833.
On March 10, 1851, the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad opened to Bethel, carrying freight and summer tourists eager to escape the noise, heat and pollution of cities. Between the Civil War and World War I, Bethel was a fashionable summer resort. Several hotels were built facing the common or on Bethel Hill. Begun in 1863, The Prospect Hotel was the largest, with a cupola from which guests could observe the mountains. Tally-ho coaches provided tours through wilderness landscapes of the White Mountains and Maine. Dr. John G. Gehring's famed clinic for nervous disorders attracted many wealthy patients. Between 1897 and 1926, important figures in the music world performed at the Maine Music Festivals organized by William Rogers Chapman. But with the advent of the automobile, tourists were no longer restricted by the limits of train service and were free to explore independently. Consequently, many big hotels built near the tracks lost patrons, declined and were eventually torn down.
The establishment of Sunday River Ski Resort in 1959 brought a renewal in Bethel's tourist industry, and the community is renowned today for its beautiful natural setting and historic charm. With a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities nearby, a lovingly preserved downtown district and excellent shopping and cultural options, Bethel is a wonderful place to live, work and explore.
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Different financing alternatives are available depending on whether you are purchasing a single family, condo, multi-family, or investment property. Understanding the pros and cons of each may help you decide which option is the best for you. Speak to our buyer agent professionals and mortgage partners to understand and evaluate your options.