Hopkinton, Massachusetts Information
Hopkinton is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just over 30 miles (50 km) west and south of Boston. The town is best known as the starting point of the Boston Marathon, held annually on Patriots' Day in April, and as the home of computer storage firm EMC Corporation.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Hopkinton, please see the article Hopkinton (CDP), Massachusetts.
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History
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The Town of Hopkinton was incorporated on the 13th of December, 1715. Hopkinton was named for Edward Hopkins, who left a large sum of money to be invested in land in New England, the proceeds of which were to be used for the benefit of Harvard University. The trustees of Harvard purchased land from the Native American residents with money from the fund and incorporated the area, naming it in honor of its benefactor. Grain was the first production crop grown in the area, while fruit and dairy industries were developed later. Agriculture predominated until 1840 when the boot and shoe industries were introduced into the town. By 1850 eleven boot and shoe factories were established in Hopkinton. Fires in 1882 and the migration of those industries to other parts of the country eliminated these industries from Hopkinton.
There are 215 Hopkinton properties listed in the State Register of Historic Places. The majority, 187, are located within the Cedar Swamp Archaeological District in Hopkinton and Westborough. The properties are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Twenty-three properties are included within the Hopkinton Center Historic District, a local historic district which comprises properties around the Town Common, on East Main St. and the south side of Main St. The district was expanded in 2000 to include the Town Hall and in 2001 to include Center School. The Hopkinton Supply Company Building on Main St., located slightly west of the district, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Former factory worker housing in the center of town, contrasted against the more rural areas surrounding it, are visual reminders of Hopkinton’s past.
In 2005 the town established a second historic district in the village of Woodville. Ninety-seven properties are included within this district. The village of Woodville has retained its distinctive village atmosphere and strong architectural connection to Hopkinton’s industrial development and growth from the mid-to-late 19th century. The area was an early cotton clothmaking center and the site of a major shoe factory. When Boston seized Lake Whitehall for its water supply in 1894, the factories along its shores were closed or moved to other sites, as they were considered sources of pollution. Remaining factories and other buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1909. In the 18th century, it was an agricultural area with a few farms scattered north of the much smaller Lake Whitehall and its accompanying cedar swamp, and was the site of a grist mill on Whitehall Brook as early as 1714.
Within or near the Miscoe-Warren-Whitehall Watersheds ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern), remains of large pits have been found. The pits were lined with bark by the native Americans and used to store corn over the winter months.
At one time, it was believed that the waters flowing from the large swamp south of Pond St., under Pond St. and into Lake Whitehall contained magical healing powers. As a result, the area quickly was built up as a resort area. Visitors came by stagecoach to the Hopkinton Hotel, which was located between Pond St. and the lake. The mineral baths and their powers lured the visitors to the area. The baths can still be viewed by the edge of the stream that drains from the swamp. Within the ACEC area are also two beehive shaped stone structures, about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Their origin and use are unknown.
Hopkinton gains national attention once a year in April as it hosts the start of the Boston Marathon, a role the town has enjoyed since 1924. The town takes pride in its hospitality as runners from all over the world gather in Hopkinton to begin the 26 mile run to Boston.
Hopkinton Historical Commission
The Town of Hopkinton established a historical commission which manages “the preservation, protection and development of the historical or archeological assets of such city or town”. Projects include conducting research for places of historic or archeological value, assisting cooperatively with others engaged in such research, and carrying out other initiatives for the purpose of protecting and preserving such places.
The Commission may have a minimum of three and a maximum of seven members, appointed for staggered three-year terms.[1]
National Register of Historic Places
Hopkinton has two properties in the register.[2]
- Cedar Swamp Archeological District, Address Restricted. Listed 1988-05-23
- Hopkinton Supply Company Building, 26-28 Main Street. Listed 1983-03-10
Woodville Historic District
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.2 square miles (73.0 km2) , of which, 26.6 square miles (68.9 km2) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) of it (5.82%) is water.
Hopkinton is 17 miles (27 km) east of Worcester, 26 miles (42 km) west of Boston, and 195 miles (314 km) from New York City.
Adjacent towns
Hopkinton is located in eastern Massachusetts, bordered by six towns:
- Upton on the southwest
- Westborough on the northwest
- Southborough on the north
- Ashland on the northeast
- Holliston on the southeast
- Milford on the south
Climate
The climate in Hopkinton tends to be quite warm during the summer, with daily high temperatures averaging in the 80s. Temperatures in the 90s are also known to occur between June and August as high-pressure air masses push in from the south. Winters are typical of a Northeastern coastal climate, being considerably colder than the southern states, but not as cold as the Upper Midwest/Plains. Daily high temperatures from late December to March tend to be in the 30s increasing gradually to 40s, with some days dipping considerably lower or even higher. Nightly low temperatures are obviously proportionately cooler.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average minimum and maximum temperature of 65 °F (18 °C) and 84 °F (29 °C) respectively. The coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum and maximum temperature of 16 and 35 °F (-9 and 2 °C) respectively.[3]
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 18 °F (10.0 °C), and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 16 °F (8.89 °C).
The annual average precipitation at Hopkinton is 51.25 inches (1,302 mm). Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is November with an average rainfall of 4.69 inches (119 mm).[4]
| Normal temperature in January (max/min average) | 25.5 °F (−3.6 °C) |
| Normal temperature in July (max/min average) | 74.5 °F (23.6 °C) |
| Normal annual precipitation | 44.9 inches (1,140 mm)[5] |
Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 13,346 people, 4,444 households, and 3,621 families residing in the town. The 2005 population estimate for[7] is 14,112. The population density was 502.5 inhabitants per square mile (194.0 /km2). There were 4,548 housing units at an average density of 171.2 per square mile (66.1 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.33% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 4,444 households out of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.5% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 33.1% under the age of 18, 3.4% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $89,281, and the median income for a family was $102,550. Males had a median income of $71,207 versus $42,360 for females. The per capita income for the town was $41,469. About 1.3% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Since its incorporation in 1715, Hopkinton had retained its original open town meeting form of government and the town's day-to-day affairs were overseen by an elected board of selectmen. However, in 2007, the Town of Hopkinton's Charter Commission created a new town manager position.
Town Meeting
Begins on the first Monday in May and continues on consecutive evenings until the entire warrant is voted on.
Warrant
The Town Meeting Warrant is a document composed of the articles to be voted on. Any elected or appointed board, committee, town officer or ten voters, may request that an article be included on the warrant. Each article to be voted on is directed by the Board of Selectmen to an appropriate board or committee to hear and provide the original motion at Town Meeting. All articles which require expending of funds are directed to the Finance Committee; articles dealing with planning and zoning to the Planning Board; articles relating to by-laws to the By-Law Committee, and so forth.
Annual town election
Held on the third Monday in May. Polls are open 7:00am–8:00pm. All Hopkinton precincts vote at the Hopkinton Middle School (88 Hayden Rowe St).
County government
Massachusetts has 14 counties which were regional administrative districts before the Revolutionary War.[8] In 1997, the county governments of Middlesex, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden and Worcester were abolished. Their functions were turned over to state agencies.
Its county seats are Cambridge and Lowell.
| County government: Middlesex County | |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts: | Michael A. Sullivan |
| District Attorney: | Gerard T. Leone, Jr. |
| Register of Deeds: | Eugene C. Brune |
| Register of Probate: | Tara E. DeCristofaro |
| County Sheriff: | James V. DiPaola |
| State government | |
| State Representative(s): | Carolyn Dykema (D) |
| State Senator(s): | Karen E. Spilka (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Kelly A. Timilty (D) |
| Federal government | |
| U.S. Representative(s): | James P. McGovern (D-3rd District), |
| U.S. Senators: | John Kerry (D), Scott Brown (R) |
Education
Public schools
The Town of Hopkinton has a public school system which serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Kindergarten students and first-graders attend the Center School. Grades 2 and 3 attend Elmwood School. Grades 4 and 5 attend Hopkins School. Grades 6 through 8 attend Hopkinton Middle School. Grades 9 through 12 attend Hopkinton High School. The town also has an integrated preschool currently located in the Middle School building.
Hopkinton offers only half-day Kindergarten due to space constraints at Center School. Hopkinton Public Schools does not offer any foreign language education before Grade 7.
Hopkinton High's school mascot is the Hiller "H", as the sports teams are known as the Hopkinton Hillers. Previously the teams were known as the Hopkinton Stonethrowers. The school primary colors are green and white, with orange as a secondary color.
Transportation
Hopkinton is situated 26 miles (42 km) west of Boston in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. Interstate Route 495 divides the town into east and west zones, which are connected by numerous spokes providing direct access to the airport and other communities in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area.[9]
Major highways
Hopkinton is served by two interstate highways and two state highways. Interstates 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and 495, form an interchange on the northern border of Hopkinton and neighboring Westborough. Proximity to Route 9 (The Boston/Worcester Turnpike) and Route 30 in Westborough, gives additional access to east/west destinations.
Principal highways are:
- Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) (east/west) (the longest interstate highway in the United States)
- Interstate 495 (north/south)
- State Route 135 (east/west)
- State Route 85 (north/south)
Nearby major intersections
Mass-transit
Rail
There is no passenger or freight rail service in the Town of Hopkinton, but the public transportation network serving Massachusetts is easily accessible.
The Town of Hopkinton is served by the Southborough MBTA Station, located on the border of Hopkinton and Southborough on Route 85 at Southville Road. MBTA commuter rail service is available to South Station and Back Bay Station, Boston, via the MBTA Framingham-Worcester Commuter Rail Line which connects South Station in Boston and Union Station in Worcester. Travel time to Back Bay is about 50 minutes.
Originally called the Framingham Commuter Rail Line, Framingham was the end of the line until rail traffic was expanded to Worcester in 1996.[10] The line also serves the communities of Newton, Wellesley, Natick, Ashland, Southborough, Westborough and Grafton.[11]
Direct rail service to Boston, New York, and many other points on the Amtrak network (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) is available through nearby Framingham.
CSX Transportation provides freight rail service and operates an auto transloading facility in nearby Framingham.
Bus
- Hopkinton is a Member Community of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, which provides local bus service to several towns in the MetroWest area, with service to the MBTA commuter rail station at Framingham .
- Big W Transportation provides service to Framingham.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines provides service to Worcester and Boston from Framingham.
Air
Boston's Logan International Airport is easily accessible from nearby Framingham. MassPort provides public transportation to all airport terminals from Framingham via Logan Express bus service seven days per week. The bus terminal and paid parking facility are located on the Shoppers' World Mall property, off the Massachusetts Turnpike Exit 13, between Route 9 and Route 30, at the intersections of East Road and the Burr Street connector.[12]
The Worcester Municipal Airport, a Primary Commercial (PR) facility with scheduled passenger service, is easily accessible. It has two asphalt runways 5,500 and 6,900 ft (1,700 and 2,100 m) long. Instrument approaches available include precision and non-precision.
Commuter services
Park and ride services:[13]
- MassDOT operates a free park and ride facility at the parking lot at the intersection of Flutie Pass and East Road on the south side of Shoppers' World Mall.[14]
- MassDOT also operates a free park and ride facility at a parking lot adjacent to exit 12 of the Massachusetts Turnpike, across from California Avenue on the west side of Framingham.[15]
Trails
Hopkinton boasts an extensive network of trails.[16] An interactive trail map lists the various trails within Hopkinton.
Private services
Hopkinton has one limousine company, Able Limosine, Inc. that services the area, offering private airport service and other transport.
Economy and business
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Hopkinton is the corporate headquarters of EMC Corporation, a global manufacturer of software and systems for information management and storage. It is the state's largest technology company, which employs 6,800 in Massachusetts. EMC, in addition to providing $1 million in annual real estate tax revenues, is a major contributor to the town's schools and recreational services.[17] Shops in the center of town include Bill's Pizza, ESL, Hopkinton Drug, Colella's market, Hopkinton Gourmet and many more.
Utilities
Many homes in town have private wells and septic systems. In areas where the town offers services, water is supplied by town wells.
NSTAR is the exclusive distributor of electric power and natural gas to the town.
Verizon, successor to New England Telephone, NYNEX, Bell Atlantic and earlier, the Bell System, is the primary wired telephone service provider for the area, and provides FiOS-based telephone, television, and broadband services. Phone service is also available from Comcast and various national wireless companies.
Cable television and broadband service is available from Comcast or Verizon FiOS.
Media
Newspapers
The Town of Hopkinton has two local newspapers: The Hopkinton Independent and The Hopkinton Crier, as well as a regional newspaper, The_MetroWest_Daily_News. There is also a local news website devoted to Hopkinton: The Hopkinton News (HopNews).
The town is also served by The Boston Globe (owned by the New York Times Company).
Television
Hopkinton has a public access cable television station called HCAM-TV, run mostly by local volunteers. Hopkinton residents can create and produce their own television programs that reflect the personality of their community, and have them cablecast on community access channels. HCAM can be found on Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 30. Many HCAM TV shows and government meetings can viewed directly on their website.
Health care
The town of Hopkinton has no hospitals, long-term care facilities or hospices,[18] but is home to the following healthcare facilities:
- Golden Pond, an assisted living residence for seniors, with programs designed for individuals who wish to live independently but may require some assistance with daily care
- Hearthstone Alzheimer Care Facility at Golden Pond offers programs for those with early Alzheimer's and Mild Cognitive Impairment
- The Geropsych Health Center is a 23-bed facility, designed as an alternative living arrangement for seniors with psychiatric disorders
- Adult Day Health Facilities offers adult day programs, assisted by a professional nursing staff to coordinate medical needs
- The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center is a place that provides emotional and physical support for families with children with disabilities
Points of interest
- Hopkinton State Park, part of the Massachusetts State Park system is located on Route 85 (Cordaville Road). The 1,450-acre (590 ha) Hopkinton State Park offers two swimming areas, a sailboat launch, canoe and kayak rental, picnic tables and barbecue areas, ball fields, foot trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Parking is available for approximately 1,000 vehicles in about 10 small parking lots. Power boats are not permitted on the park lake.
- Whitehall State Park is located on Route 135/Wood Street in Hopkinton. Lake Whitehall is a fairly shallow lake which makes it an excellent fishing area. Small power boats are allowed, and there are several boat launches around the lake.
- Lake Maspenock is home to a town beach area called Sandy Beach.
Culture
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Annual events
- Start of the Boston Marathon - Each Patriots' Day, about 15,000 world-class marathoners commence the rush from Hopkinton to Copley Square in Boston. Starting in 1924, when the Boston Athletic Association moved the starting line from Ashland, Hopkinton has garnered worldwide attention.[19]
- Independence Day Horribles Parade
- Concerts on the Common (summer)
- Polyarts Festival (September) - The annual daylong Polyarts Festival, a gathering of local artists and performers, is a regional favorite. Each event hosts many artisans selling handmade wares including pottery, stained glass, sterling silver jewelry, sweaters, leather crafts, and more.
Sports
Each year in April on Patriots' Day, the town of Hopkinton is filled with thousands of people for the start of the Boston Marathon. Athletes gather at Hopkinton High School, dubbed Athletes' Village for the event, while spectators wait at the Town Common.
Local organizations
Hopkinton has active social, philanthropic and political organizations including:
- HPTA: Hopkinton Parent Teacher Association
- Hopkinton Women's Club
- Hopkinton Garden Club
- Hopkinton Lions Club
- Lake Maspenock Preservation Association
- Hopkinton Trails Club
- Educate Hopkinton
- Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee
- Cub Scout Pack 26
- Cub Scout Pack 4
- Hopkinton Education Foundation
- Cultural Arts Alliance of Hopkinton
Youth
There are active youth sports teams as well as other youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA.
Places of Worship
- First Congregational Church of Hopkinton
- St. John the Evangelist Church
- The Korean Presbyterian Church in Greater Boston
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- Vineyard Church in Hopkinton
- The Woodville Baptist Church
- Community Covenant Church
Notable residents
- George V. Brown (1880–1937), sports organizer in United States, 30-year starter of Boston marathon, and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee
- Walter A. Brown (1905–1964), founding owner of the Boston Celtics and inductee into the basketball and hockey halls of fame
- William Chamberlain (1755–1828), United States Representative from Vermont
- Miles Davis (1987- ), Actor in Camp Daze
- Dennis Eckersley (1954- ), Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
- Richard Egan (1936–2009), founder of EMC Corporation and former US Ambassador to Ireland
- Robert Falcione (1955- ), Founder of Hopnews, Hopkinton's version of Perez Hilton
- Mike Grier (1975- ), son of Bobby Grier and NHL hockey player
- Steve Nicol (1961- ), Scottish-born coach of soccer team New England Revolution
- Emilie Poulsson (1853–1939), Children's book author, early proponent of the Kindergarten Movement[20]
- Thomas Weaver (1992–2010), the first 2010 graduate of Hopkinton High School, earning his diploma days before his passing after a year long fight with brain cancer. Thomas touched the lives of so many, and impacted and inspired an entire community in both his life and death.
See also
References
- ^ Hopkinton Historical Commission
- ^ National Register of Historic Places
- ^ Hopkinton at Weather.com
- ^ Weather for Springfield area at Idcide.com
- ^ U.S.G.S., National Climatic Data Center (Framingham Station)
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Hopkinton Town, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- ^ League of Women Voters
- ^ Department of Housing and Community Development
- ^ Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district
- ^ MBTA Map of Commuter Rail service in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island
- ^ Map showing Logan Express in Framingham
- ^ Park & Ride locations in Massachusetts
- ^ "Map showing park and ride lot at Shoppers World". http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/info/pnr/fram2.htm.
- ^ "Map showing Park & Ride in West Framingham". http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/info/pnr/fram1.htm.
- ^ Video documentary featuring Hopkinton's hiking trails
- ^ Boston Globe article
- ^ Department of Public Health 1992
- ^ Boston Globe Hopkinton COMMUNITY PROFILE article
- ^ Poulsson, Emilie (1893). Finger plays for nursery and kindergarten. Project Gutenberg. Boston: D. Lothrop Company. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24912/24912-h/24912-h.htm.
Further reading
- Hopkinton Community Profile in The Boston Globe, 2003
- Hopkinton Listing in MetroWest Chamber of Commerce
- The story of Violet and Iris Carey - killed in a natural gas explosion in downtown Hopkinton, 2002
- 1871 Atlas of Massachusetts. by Wall & Gray. Map of Massachusetts. Map of Middlesex County.
- History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume 1 (A-H), Volume 2 (L-W) compiled by Samuel Adams Drake, published 1879-1880. 572 and 505 pages. Hopkinton article by Rev. Elias Nason in volume 1, pages 483-495
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External links
- Town of Hopkinton official website
- Hopkinton Public Schools
- Hopkinton School Committee
- Hopkinton State Park
- Media
Categories: MetroWest | Towns in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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