Road signs are one of a number of fascinations in my motorcycle touring daytrips. West Fulton Rd in the northern Catskill Mountains region is a winding, endlessly-curving mountain road that offers up a rutty side turnoff named Heathen Creek Road.
Heathen Creek ?
I’ve needed to find the roots of this extraordinary road name for a couple years, and I finally pursued it.
The term “Heathen” is essentially a neutral word in its definition, meaning non-religious or pagan. However, the connotation of the word has become darker, more sinister, in modern culture.
As evidence, the motorcycle gang.
...and the 21 Pilots song, "Heathens", which offers up this image.
The only local association I can dredge up that might relate to this road dates back to 1970, at which time Peter Yarrow………. Remember Peter Yarrow? Singer in the Folk/Pop group, Peter, Paul and Mary?
(Warning: don’t listen to this video for more than 15 seconds, as it might become an annoying earworm for you, or it might even haunt your dreams….)
Well, he was an occasional resident of this area, having lived with his daughter, Bethany (also a singer, based in NYC), in a house just up the road a few miles from Heathen Creek. I discovered this fact when I drove by her residence in the fall of last year and spotted a “Barn Sale” happening in a well-preserved structure next to her home which for awhile was a country resort (“The Waterfall House”) where you could stay and experience Catskill Mountain Living. Barn on the right:
The Barn Sale was unusual for the oil paintings laid out in the sun, psychedelic nudes done by a Cuban artist, and priced quite high for what was essentially a garage sale. $75 to $150. I passed on the paintings, but spotted a 1940’s era wood speaker, probably built for a restaurant or nightclub. I was afraid to ask what the seller wanted for it, but I did, and he answered, “how about a dollar?”
I couldn’t get it into the trunk of my Miata fast enough.
(upside-down picture to correct for its actual position on a wall)
He said it was from the personal collection of Peter Yarrow, a statement which I responded to with the sort of wry smile that you give someone who is probably pulling your leg. But he led me to a dusty collection of band equipment boxes plastered with “The Peter Yarrow Band” on their sides.
So, what of this guy and his heathenistic reputation? Peter Yarrow was convicted of molesting a 14 year old fan who came to his dressing room with her sister, and he spent 3 months in the slammer. Jimmy Carter actually pardoned him.
However, I’m thinking that all this occurred in relatively modern times, and an unlikely source for the road name.
Therefore, I contacted the Historical Society in nearby West Fulton, and spoke with a friendly and helpful Brian Goodfellow (yup, that's his name). He initially stated that a number of years back, a “city fellow” moved to Heathen Creek Road and took down the road sign late one night, replacing it with his hand-made sign, “Pleasant Valley Road.” But that didn’t last long. The road had History.
Apparently, back a number of generations, The Creek was the site of Baptisms. You went in a Heathen, and came out……….
So, do you have a local road sign that has captured your attention ?
Heathen Creek ?
I’ve needed to find the roots of this extraordinary road name for a couple years, and I finally pursued it.
The term “Heathen” is essentially a neutral word in its definition, meaning non-religious or pagan. However, the connotation of the word has become darker, more sinister, in modern culture.
As evidence, the motorcycle gang.
...and the 21 Pilots song, "Heathens", which offers up this image.
The only local association I can dredge up that might relate to this road dates back to 1970, at which time Peter Yarrow………. Remember Peter Yarrow? Singer in the Folk/Pop group, Peter, Paul and Mary?
(Warning: don’t listen to this video for more than 15 seconds, as it might become an annoying earworm for you, or it might even haunt your dreams….)
Well, he was an occasional resident of this area, having lived with his daughter, Bethany (also a singer, based in NYC), in a house just up the road a few miles from Heathen Creek. I discovered this fact when I drove by her residence in the fall of last year and spotted a “Barn Sale” happening in a well-preserved structure next to her home which for awhile was a country resort (“The Waterfall House”) where you could stay and experience Catskill Mountain Living. Barn on the right:
The Barn Sale was unusual for the oil paintings laid out in the sun, psychedelic nudes done by a Cuban artist, and priced quite high for what was essentially a garage sale. $75 to $150. I passed on the paintings, but spotted a 1940’s era wood speaker, probably built for a restaurant or nightclub. I was afraid to ask what the seller wanted for it, but I did, and he answered, “how about a dollar?”
I couldn’t get it into the trunk of my Miata fast enough.
(upside-down picture to correct for its actual position on a wall)
He said it was from the personal collection of Peter Yarrow, a statement which I responded to with the sort of wry smile that you give someone who is probably pulling your leg. But he led me to a dusty collection of band equipment boxes plastered with “The Peter Yarrow Band” on their sides.
So, what of this guy and his heathenistic reputation? Peter Yarrow was convicted of molesting a 14 year old fan who came to his dressing room with her sister, and he spent 3 months in the slammer. Jimmy Carter actually pardoned him.
However, I’m thinking that all this occurred in relatively modern times, and an unlikely source for the road name.
Therefore, I contacted the Historical Society in nearby West Fulton, and spoke with a friendly and helpful Brian Goodfellow (yup, that's his name). He initially stated that a number of years back, a “city fellow” moved to Heathen Creek Road and took down the road sign late one night, replacing it with his hand-made sign, “Pleasant Valley Road.” But that didn’t last long. The road had History.
Apparently, back a number of generations, The Creek was the site of Baptisms. You went in a Heathen, and came out……….
So, do you have a local road sign that has captured your attention ?
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There was one, actually, that had me a bit entranced. I couldn't fit it in the Miata, even if I could get the price down 
