Dorset locals maintain control over the town’s development
Since its original charter in 1761, Dorset has offered small-town living amongst the rolling hills and rugged peaks of southwest Vermont. The Dorset Marble Quarry opened not long after in 1785, serving as the town’s main employer until its closure in 1917. The marble from the quarry was used in major construction projects like the Washington Monument and the New York Public Library Main Branch. Since the quarry’s closure, further development of Dorset has been met with resistance from long-time residents. Local real estate broker Deke August of Wohler Realty Group says preservation is now the town’s main focus. “In 1968, Dorset Hollow was going to be turned into a major ski area,” says August, who co-founded Dorset’s Chamber of Commerce and has been a broker in the area since 1990. “A bunch of locals, including my parents, bought 500 acres and prevented the area from being developed. Turns out, there's not enough snowpack on this side of the mountain to support ski slopes, so they actually did the developers a favor.” The group formed the Dorset Hollow Corporation to maintain local control over the area's future development. The town of Dorset adopted regulations that set limits on the looks, size and number of new properties being built. The State of Vermont later referenced Dorset’s plan when they were creating statewide regulations in 1970, citing them as a good example of how to preserve the region’s rustic charm. “It’s really a sleepy little town that did things right,” says August.
Traditional home styles and contemporary properties
Homebuyers can find national-style houses and colonials from as early as the 1850s, more modern split-levels and ranch style-homes and contemporary properties built in the last 25 years. Within the town’s center, homes are placed tighter together and sit closer to the roads. On the outskirts, properties are scattered along winding backroads, with many sitting farther back and having long driveways. Homes in Dorset tend to have anywhere between a half-acre to twenty acres of land. Most homes typically sell for $300,000 to $700,000, while larger properties with the biggest lots usually go for $1 million to $2 million.
Local swimming hole, miles of hiking trails close by
The town’s former marble quarry is now a popular swimming hole for locals in the summer. The Dorset Field Club, established in 1886, is the oldest continuously operating golf course in the United States. “The cows used to graze on the course to keep it in playing condition,” says August. In the west end of town, the 4-mile Dorset Trail leads to the top of Dorset Mountain. Emerald Lake State Park offers a small beach, campsites and a picnic area. Driving 13 miles west, Bromley Mountain Ski Resort features over 45 slopes in the winter. And the Green Mountains boast an additional 500 miles of trails throughout Vermont.
Annual events throughout Dorset
The town holds an annual Memorial Day celebration with a parade, service at the Dorset Church and a pot-luck community picnic. “It’s a very quaint and moving parade every year,” says August. The Dorset Theatre Festival is a professional, performing-arts theater that puts on classic and modern plays from June to September. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival offers a boutique-style equestrian competition from July to August. And in November, the Dorset Tractor Parade rides through town with holiday lights.
Well rated public, independent schools
Students may start at The Dorset School, which teaches kindergarten through eighth grade and gets a B from Niche. There aren't any public high schools in the nearest district, meaning Dorset relies on private schooling for later grade levels. The closest independent school, Long Trail School, earns an A and operates with a low student to teacher ratio of five to one.
Local shops, chains available in Manchester
Residents can find locally owned shops along Church Street and Vermont Route 30. The Dorset Union Store, which opened back in 1816, provides local goods, luxury delicatessen and catering service to the town. H.N. Williams Store has been family owned since 1840, offering clothes, packaged goods and household items. The Dorset Bakery is a European-style cafe with breakfast and lunch options. Locals can also drive 7 miles south to Manchester for Shaw’s and Walgreens.
Commuting via Route 30, Route 7
Dorset is car dependent due to its rural streetscape. Commuters can travel 7 miles south on Vermont Route 30 to get to Manchester. The town is also close to U.S. Route 7, which runs 100 miles north to Burlington. The Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is located 30 miles south, while Albany International Airport is 65 miles west.
Important to Know
Due to Vermont’s unique climate, the state has a mud season that usually lasts from March to June. As the winter snow and frost melts, the area’s dirt is turned into muddy terrain. There are 21 miles of dirt roads throughout Dorset, meaning commuters may encounter hazardous road conditions and complete road closures during mud season.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
