our story
Nestled along the historic Big Tree–Carson Valley Road, the Dorrington Hotel has welcomed cattlemen, miners, traders, and vacationers to the towering sequoias of Calaveras Big Trees State Park for more than a century. Originally the 160-acre property known as Cold Spring Ranch (named for its ice-cold spring) it became a focal point for travelers across the Sierra foothills.
1852
Scots immigrant John Gardner built the first hotel on the ranch and soon invited his bride, Rebecca Dorrington Gardner, to join him in the Sierra. Rebecca fell in love with the land and together they raised four children on the property.
1902
When the U.S. Post Office relocated to the site, the community officially adopted the name Dorrington, honoring Rebecca’s maiden name. Over the years, legends gathered around the hotel: tales of the Miwok and Washoe tribes hunting nearby, of silver and gold trading routes, and even stories that Mark Twain stopped to drink from the cold spring behind the hotel.
2015
The Sweeney and Mitchell families purchased the Dorrington Hotel and the adjacent Lube Room Saloon, embarking on a careful restoration that preserved its historic charm while welcoming today’s guests for group stays, weddings, anniversaries and other special events.
A Place of Stories
More than simply an historic hotel, Dorrington is also the backdrop to ghost stories and local lore.
One particularly memorable tale involves Rebecca’s restless spirit: during one Christmas season, staff and guests found that every artificial Christmas tree placed in guest rooms had been toppled, night after night, despite no apparent cause. Visitors report lights flickering, doors opening on their own, echoes of footsteps in empty corridors, and the soft apparition of a woman in 19th-century dress in the dining room.
Our Commitment
Today we remain dedicated to our local community, to weekend and holiday visitors, and to preserving this special place. Our family and staff (who we now think of as family too!) appreciate your support and friendship as we continue to reinvest and make the property better and better.
With Graditude
The Sweeney & Mitchell Families
