Bethel - One of the Most Adorable Resorts in Maine

Nestled between the White Mountain National Forest on the south and Maine's tallest mountains on the north, Bethel has been drawing the attention of visitors since the middle of the 19th century with the breathtaking landscapes that surround the area. An excellent destination for family or individual excursions, Bethel is a four-season recreation center for outdoor activities, and a starting point for hiking, backpacking and bicycle routes. Bethel is situated in close proximity to Maine's second-largest ski resort - Sunday River, which provides 120 ski trails on the slopes of eight mountains. Ice and rock climbers are quite familiar with the unique conditions for climbing that are available in the Grafton Notch State Park, especially during the summer and the autumn.
    Bethel is a charming mixture of forestry, farming,education, wood manufacturing and last but not least, tourism. Most of the villages in the region are one-industry communities. In the recent years the community has turned into a home for many retirees, escaping the metropolises fast-paced everyday life by choosing the quiet atmosphere of the small town.
    The original name of the town was Sudbury Canada; it had been esatblished by land grantees in 1774 as a reward for their participation in the fights for conquering Canada. The main industry until 1851 was the farming when the first railroad was built linking Portland with Montreal. The trains gathered many tourists from the big cities who just wanted to enjoy the fresh air; they also transported wood product to the markets.
    Bethel is also known as an educational center, established by William Bingham, the patron whose foundation is still funding social and educational purposes. In the beginning of the 20th century Dr. Gehring's clinic for nervous disorders was located here.
    Being the ideal getaway from the bustle of the big cities, Bethel's inhabitants are spirited and constantly searching for innovations; this was one of the first of Maine's communities that used the Internet. The local people also created the tallest snowman in the world. The National Wife Carrying Championships are also held there.