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Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Town
Town Hall
Town Hall
Official seal of Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°13′43″N 71°31′23″W / 42.22861°N 71.52306°W / 42.22861; -71.52306Coordinates: 42°13′43″N 71°31′23″W / 42.22861°N 71.52306°W / 42.22861; -71.52306
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Middlesex
Settled 1715
Incorporated 1715
Government
 • Type Open town meeting
 • Town
   Manager
Norman Khumalo
 • Board of
   Selectmen
Brian Herr, Chair
Todd Cestari
Claire Wright
Brendan Tedstone
John Coutinho
Area
 • Total 28.2 sq mi (72.9 km2)
 • Land 26.6 sq mi (68.8 km2)
 • Water 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km2)
Elevation 410 ft (125 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 14,925
 • Density 530/sq mi (200/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01748
01784
(Woodville P.O. Boxes)
Area code(s) 508 / 774
FIPS code 25-31085
GNIS feature ID 0619400
Website http://www.hopkintonma.gov/
Established by Edward Hopkins

Hopkinton is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, less than 30 miles (48 km) west 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 headquarters for the enterprise-oriented Dell EMC. At the 2010 census, the town had a population of 14,925. The US Census recognizes a village within the town known as Woodville, reporting a population of 2,550.

The town of Hopkinton was incorporated on December 13, 1715. Hopkinton was named for an early colonist of Connecticut, 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. During King George's War, natives raided the town, taking captives to Quebec.

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.


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Wikipedia

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