Dorset is a town in the United States of America's Bennington County. It was founded as a result of the area's marble quarrying activities. The quarry's operations lasted for years before it was abandoned and filled with water, turning it into a swimming pool.

Discovery of a Gold Mine

Bill W.'s great grandfather settled in Dorset after immigrating to Vermont. He built a quarry and mined marble from it. Marble quarrying drew the majority of the inhabitants to the area, which eventually led to its settlement. The New York Public Library's main branch in New York City was constructed of quarry stone. The Dorset town grew over time, resulting in a variety of social amenities on the townsite. Among these attractions were a church and a motel. New Hampshire and the province of New York claimed land from the government from people who bought land from New Hampshire.

New York claimed to have received a grant from Charles II in 1664. New Hampshire sought to expand its holdings to the west, but owing to a disagreement, they were forced to award 131 charters in the territory. The New Hampshire gifts were deemed null and illegal, and the resident was forced to acquire the lands for New York at a higher price. This was enforced since everybody who had to stay in the area had to follow the saying. To prevent the settlers from being invaded under the New Hampshire Grants, a civilian soldiers alliance was organized. The partnership protected the families by providing security, health care, farmland, a town, and land investment.

Thriving Years

In 1773, Cephas Kent went to Dorset town and founded a small bar. Kent had previously served at a local church as a Deacon. Disagreements concerning Dorset's possessions had reached a point where they needed to be addressed and officially evaluated. The Continental Congress petitioned to intervene in the New Hampshire grants against New York. Grantees joined the general insurgency and were granted permission by Congress to fight in the war on their own. Grantees gathered in Cephas Kent's pub more than twice. The main purpose of the grantees was to make Vermont self-sufficient. On July 2, 1777, the Vermont Constitution was ratified. Following the abandonment of New York's claims in 1790, Vermont became a state on February 18, 1791. On this date, Vermont became the 14th state in the United States.

What remains of Dorset?

As competition increased in Dorset, marble exploitation began to drop in production. Residents of the townsite began to relocate to different locations in search of wealth. Buildings left on the townsite began to break apart one by one. All that remained was Cephas Kent's inn. The mining quarry was left open, and during the rainy season, water from the marble quarry filled the entire quarry opening. This resulted in the formation of a popular swimming hole, which is open throughout the summer months. The Vermont Society of Colonial Dames erected a historical marker at the location of Cephas Kent's inn in 1912. People come to town to swim in the swimming hole.