Calais Historic Hamlets Route Description: *The most appropriate starting point along this tour is the tiny village of Maple Corner. Here, there exists a post office and general store which can provide both parking and provisions. Located at the southeast corner of Curtis Pond, Maple Corner owes its existence to this body of water and the mill industries it helped power. In the early 19th century, the village hosted saw and grist mills. A woolen mill, and machine shop which produced horse rakes, appeared later, in the 1870's. Around 1910, a carriage factory was converted to a creamery which served nearby farms. * From Maple Corner, pedal east out of town along Kent Hill Road. Shortly (0.7 mile) you will arrive at Kent's Corner. This small hamlet has changed very little over the past 150 years or so and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kent Tavern is owned by the Vermont Historical Society and is occasionally opened to the public. * Turn left onto Robinson Cemetery Road at the four corners intersection. Just a short distance up the road you will notice a historic post and beam, hydro-powered sawmill to your left. A bit further up the hill you will pass the cemetery and views of Groton State Forest to the east. * At 1.88 miles you will arrive at a grassy triangle. Stay to the right and continue along West County Road for about 1.5 miles at which point you will turn right onto Bayne-Comolli Road. * Remain on this road for 2.5 hilly miles before arriving at a T intersection with another grassy triangle. Turn right here onto No. 10 Pond Road and continue on, passing the pond on your left. * At the next intersection, a right hand turn onto North Calais Road will enable you to continue the loop. However, a very short side trip into the hamlet of North Calais is recommended. A left hand turn will bring you there. As you poke around the village you will notice a number of decrepit dam walls and stone foundations amid the historic residences. These lay as a record of North Calais' days of saw and grist milling (as early as 1800), and as a manufacturing center (later 19th century). Water flowing from No. 10 Pond powered the production of wooden clocks, cast bells, carriages, coffins, woolen goods and even wooden fifes. * Exit North Calais the same way you entered and continue on North Calais Road (which becomes Pekin Brook Road) for about 4 miles of mostly downhill pedaling. Along the way, you will pass the Calais Town Hall, which dates from the mid 19th century. * At a four corners intersection (10.25 miles), turn right onto George Road passing a farmstead on the right. The road will begin to climb steeply and turn more primitive. The road will turn sharply to the left near the top of the climb, straighten out and reach a T intersection at 11.7 miles. * Turn right at the T onto Lightening Ridge Road. (This road earned its name because the wagons that once used it were often forced to lighten their loads in order to make the climb. But don't worry; although you will be climbing again, the steepest part is behind you.) * Proceed on Lightening Ridge Road, bearing left. It becomes Adamant Road and descends into the village of Adamant at about the 13.5-mile mark. This little hamlet located on the shore of Sodom Pond was settled in the 1880's when granite was quarried in this locale. It is the site of the first State Chartered Credit Union in Vermont, a cooperative store, a renowned music school (offering summer concerts), and hosts an annual strawberry festival. * Proceeding through the Village you will pass the Adamant Methodist Church on your left. Bear to the right at the intersection just beyond this point onto Martin Road. * In 1.13 miles you will reach another T intersection. Turn right onto County Road and travel for about a 0.5 mile on a paved stretch before turning right again onto Bliss Pond Road. * Shortly after passing Bliss Pond, bear left at a grassy triangle onto Old West Church Road and continue about 1.5 miles back to Kent's Corner. Along the way you will pass the Old West Church (c.1823), a meeting house which is heated by wood stoves and retains its original pews. In letters above the pulpit, a message written in dried hemlock boughs commands: "Removeth not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set." * At Kent's Corners turn left onto Kent Hill Road and proceed to Maple Corner concluding your trip. Return to Bike Tours or Tour Map Additional Area Information: | Area Events | Attractions | Arts | Recreation | Historic Sites | VT Products | Lodging | Dining | Shopping | © Copyright Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce © 2003, All rights reserved. CV Chamber / P.O. Box 336 / Barre, Vermont 05641 1-877-887-3678 or CVermont1 @ AOL.com and Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission 26 State Street / Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802)-229-0389 or [email protected] GO TO: [email protected]