Dorrington sits in the heart of Calaveras County along Highway 4, between Murphys and Ebbets Pass.
Originally known as Cold Springs Ranch, the property was purchased by John Gardener and William A. Gibson in 1868. John Gardener soon built a hotel along the old highway, setting the foundation for future unincorporated municipalities.
In 1902 Gardener's Station was established, providing the first post office for the region. The Post Office Department objected to the name, citing its frequent use at the time. They settled on the maiden name of John Gardeners widow, Rebekah Dorrington Gardner, and the town of Dorrington came to be.
Jack and Dora Connell came to the region in the mid 1920s, and purchased the old Dorrington Hotel property. In order to accommodate the increasing rate of travelers, they established Camp Connell—complete with General Store, campground and gas station. That station remains one of the oldest continually operating Chevrons in the state.
Camp Connell quickly grew, and became a popular stop for locals, travelers, and cattlemen. The old post office was moved to Camp Connell in 1934, before being transferred back to Dorrington in 1978.
The area has a long history of human use and habitation. Camp Connell's location along the San Antonio Creek was at one point part of a trading route used by the Miwok, Piute, and Washoe.
1848 saw the discovery of gold in the Mokelumne and Stanislaus River basins, which resulted in a glut of prospectors and fortune seekers. By the mid 1850's the old First Nation's trail had been expanded to a highway in order to accommodate the increasing number of travelers.
The Dorrington Hotel still stands in the region, serving as a historic landmark. Steeped in history, legends touch on everything from gold and silver to Mark Twain drinking from the cold spring out back. 1 reply
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