White Lake is a small village (and a place recognized by the government for population data) in the town of Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, United States. It is located on the southeastern shore of a lake with the same name. It was the nearest community to the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969.

The community has a post office. In the year 2000, its population was reported to be 665, making it the largest community in the town of Bethel. The Bethel Town Hall is also located in this area.

The lake is reported to be the deepest in Sullivan County, with a depth of 80 feet (24 meters). In the 19th century, people claimed that the largest brook trout in the world, weighing 8 pounds and 14 ounces, was caught in the lake in 1843.

According to local stories, the lake’s Native American name was Kauneonga, which means "lake with two wings" because the lake’s shape looks like the number 8, resembling wings. The name "White Lake" is said to come from the white sand beaches along its shores and the white-colored bottom of the lake. The northern part of White Lake, which was once called North White Lake, is now known as Kauneonga Lake.

History

A saw mill and grist mill were built at the lake’s outlet around 1804. In 1811, a hotel opened in the area, beginning a long history of the place becoming a resort.

The History of Sullivan County states, "Doctors often send sick people to recover their health because of the lake’s healing qualities. Many amazing recovery stories could be shared. For those who want to enjoy beautiful views and a healthy climate, spending time there during the summer is a good choice."

Writer Alfred B. Street praised the area in his poem "White Lake," which includes these lines:

The New York Times wrote in 1903, "The railroad station near White Lake is either Liberty or Monticello. A beautiful drive over the Shawangunk Mountains leads to this lake. The hotels on both sides of the lake are among the best in Sullivan County. At this place, people can enjoy many water activities."

In the late 1800s, large grand hotels, including the White Lake Mansion House, were built along the lake’s shore. In the early 1900s, grand hotels were replaced by bungalow-style motels as the area became a popular Borscht Belt destination. More than 24 hotels and camps served Jewish visitors. One of these hotels was the Fur Workers’ Resort (later called White Lake Lodge and then Camp Hi-Li). It was first created for fur workers, but they stopped using it when they realized summer was their busiest season.

In the 1960s, as the Borscht Belt declined, some people tried to improve the area. One idea was for the Monticello Raceway to hold horse races on the frozen lake during winter.

In 1969, Elliot Tiber, whose parents owned the run-down El Monaco Motel on Route 17B, got a permit from the town of Bethel to hold a music festival on the motel’s grounds. When Wallkill refused to allow the Woodstock Festival in July 1969, Tiber suggested using his permit. However, the space was too small, so the festival was moved to Max Yasgur’s farm, about three miles northwest of White Lake.