Originally named for early settler and surveyor Peter Van Neste in 1761, the community was nicknamed Hen's Foot and The Corners before finally taking the name Bevans in 1829 for its postmaster, James C. Bevans. The Peter's Valley Society for Literature was established on January 1, 1813. The Dutch Reformed Church at Peter's Valley was built in 1838, and the Universalistic Church was gathered in 1847. To the west are the historic Old Mine Road and the Delaware River, and nearby lie the ruins of Peter's Valley flouring mill on the Big Flatbrook. Bevans was lost to the Tocks Island Dam Project of the 1960s and 1970s, and the name Peter's Valley was reinstated. Today this hamlet and surrounding area belong to the National Park Service.