The community of Bet She’an was not on the line while
an old Mounted Courier Post Inn near the tracks (hence the Turkish
designation of 'Han', i.e. an Inn) few km's to the south had
served as the Station House. Underpopulated and poor in resources
at the date in question; it must have been a simple siding used
only when a sizeable shipment or the arrival of a local dignitary
was signalled in advance. The village of Bet She’an on the
other hand, having rolled into decay and oblivion due to nearby
malaria infested swamps; was to be equipped with postal services
only after the turn of the century. This is why the Ottoman Postal
Direction had not initiated postal services in this otherwise
insignificant location and understandably PTT Lists are silent
while the State Year Books clearly indicate the siding. Bet ha
Shitta however; was recorded in the Postal Guides as well as
in the State Year Books (definitely as a separate entry from
Bet She’an) being the only stop between Afoula and Bet She’an.
The Bisan Station 59.2 kilometers from Haifa
Special thanks to Vladimir Kogan for providing
us with these great pictures.
