BETHEL ISLAND
Bethel Island was named for the Bethell Brothers, Frank and Warren Bethell, who formed the first successful farm on the island, called Sand Mound Ranch.
The landform known as Bethel Island was created between 1859 and 1870 by several men. Alonzo Stone purchased much of the property formerly owned by Warren and Anne Bethell, and the area was briefly referred to as the "Stone Tract" in the 1930s. Prior to this, it was referred to as "Sandmound Ranch", and did not become an island until 1911, when Dutch Slough was dredged eastward to join with Sandmound Slough.
The first post office opened in 1898, and named for its first postmaster Franklin Cloud Bethell. The post office closed in 1902.[9] A Post Office re-opened on Bethel Island in 1947.
A one-lane wooden bridge was built in 1911, but was removed by order of the Army Corps of Engineers. After litigation, it was ordered to be replaced in 1921. In the late 1930s a resort was created by Houston (Jack) Farrar and his wife Blanche (Ruby), with a recreational area for picnics and swimming. Known as Farrar Park, it was the first recreational business on the island. Hunters, fishermen, and boaters began buying property after World War II.
Remsburg Marina was started by Warren Remsburg in 1938, and in 1944 a fishing resort called Frank's had gained popularity on the island. The resort was built by the Andronico family.
Electricity was first supplied in 1946, and telephone service arrived in 1949. From then on, Bethel Island became an increasingly popular recreation spot.
By the 1950s the area became popular with sport fishermen and the rich.
It is now the most densely populated island in the delta. The community calls itself, "The Heart of the Delta."