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.
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