Dorset, Minnesota

Dorset
Unincorporated community
Motto: 
"The Restaurant Capital of the World"
Dorset is located in Minnesota
Dorset
Dorset
Dorset is located in the United States
Dorset
Dorset
Coordinates: 46°57′23″N 94°57′09″W / 46.95639°N 94.95250°W / 46.95639; -94.95250
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyHubbard
TownshipHenrietta
Government
 • TypeUnincorporated Community
 • Mayor (Unofficial)Jade Kruger
Elevation
1,476 ft (450 m)
Population
 • Estimate 
(2011[1])
24
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
56470
Area code218
GNIS feature ID642900[2]

Dorset is an unincorporated community in Henrietta Township, Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States.

The tiny community (population 22) is located 6 mi (9.7 km) east-northeast of Park Rapids and six miles west of Nevis. Hubbard County State-Aid Highways 7 and 18; and State Highway 226 are three of the main routes in the community. State Highway 34 is nearby. Dorset is located along the Heartland State Trail.

History

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A post office called Dorset was established in 1898, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1964.[3] The community was named by railroad officials.[4]

The former mayor of Dorset, James Tufts, reacts to losing a re-election bid

On the morning of September 4, 2014, a fire caused by a severe lightning storm destroyed two popular establishments, the Dorset House and Compañeros Mexican Restaurant. Both restaurants were rebuilt and reopened in May 2016.

Mayor of Dorset

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The position of mayor of Dorset is a symbolic one, the town being run by a group of five local business owners.[5] The town holds a yearly election at the "Taste of Dorset" festival, residents paying one dollar to add a name of their choice to a hat, with a random slip being drawn to select a mayor.[5]

In August 2012, then three-year-old Robert "Bobby" Tufts became mayor for a one-year term, when his name was drawn.[5][6][7] On August 4, 2013, Tufts was elected for a second term.[8] Tufts lost a re-election campaign in 2014 to 16-year-old Eric Mueller.[9] Tufts's three-year-old brother, James, was also elected in August 2015.[10] Four-year-old Gwendolyn Davis of Utah won the mayorship in 2016.[11]

The mayor of Dorset for 2021 to 2022 was Jade Kruger of Moorhead.[12]

The mayor in 2022 to 2023 was ten-year-old Evan Johnson of Minnetonka, Minnesota.[13]

The office of the Mayor of Dorset is currently held by "Bear" Mohlin of Bemidji for the 2023 to 2024 term.[14]

[edit]

Ross Farrally, an author from the United Kingdom, published a psychological thriller/horror novel, "The Lonely Place", which is based on a fictionalised version of the town.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Finding Minnesota: Restaurant Capital Of The World". CBS News. July 31, 2011. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022.
  2. ^ "Dorset, Minnesota". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ "Hubbard County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 243.
  5. ^ a b c Stump, Scott (May 16, 2013). "Pint-size politician: Mayor of Minnesota town is 4 years old". Today Show. NBC.
  6. ^ "4-Year-Old Mayor Robert Tufts 'Runs' Tiny Town Of Dorset, Minnesota". Huffington Post. May 14, 2013.
  7. ^ "In tiny tourist town Dorset, Minn., mayor is 4-year-old boy who likes ice-cream and fishing". Fox News. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  8. ^ "4-year-old mayor is re-elected in northern Minn". Yahoo News. August 5, 2013. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  9. ^ "5-year-old mayor loses re-election in Minnesota to 16-year-old". Fox News. August 4, 2014. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "3-year-old James Tufts elected mayor of Minnesota town". ABC7. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  11. ^ Uren, Adam (August 10, 2016). "Election bombshell: Minnesota's youngest mayor ousted by Utah 4-year-old". BringMeTheNews. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  12. ^ Fish, Robin (August 3, 2021). "Dorset shares a long awaited Taste". ParkRapidsEnterprise. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "The town of Dorset picks their mayor out of a hat every year". minnesotasnewcountry. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  14. ^ Geisen, Shannon (August 7, 2023). "Golden retriever is 'elected' Dorset mayor". Park Rapids Enterprise. Forum Communications Company. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "British author bases setting of horror thriller on Dorset". Park Rapids Enterprise. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
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