Located just south of the crossroads of Routes 495 and 90, the 300-year-old community of Hopkinton honors its past while investing in a vibrant future.

Thanks to an active Historical Society and Historical Commission, many of the antique homes and buildings around the Town Common appear much as they did in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, when Hopkinton was a thriving shoemaking town.  Several “scenic roads,” lined with venerable shade trees, offer a pleasant place for a drive.  Hopkinton’s plentiful forested areas include many walking trails that draw both residents and out-of-towners.  Hopkinton also has three large lakes that offer a cool respite on a hot summer afternoon: Lake Maspenock, Lake Whitehall and Hopkinton Reservoir, located at Hopkinton State Park.  The history, and the quiet streets and woods, evoke an old-fashioned community from yesteryear.

But signs that the future has arrived abound.  New housing developments have sprung up around town, drawing new residents attracted by Hopkinton’s convenience and top-rated schools.  The largest is Legacy Farms, built on land once part of Weston Nurseries, but many smaller developments have been carved out around the community.  New retail buildings are awakening Hopkinton’s previously sleepy downtown, and two larger shopping centers – on Lumber Street and at South and West Main streets – are offering more choices and convenience.

The newly renovated Hopkinton Center for the Arts is perhaps the community’s most exciting new asset. The restored farmhouse, renovated dairy barn and new performance center have hosted thousands of Hopkinton residents and others who flock to the center for classes, exhibits, and theatrical and dance performances.  On any given day you might find senior citizens taking painting classes, 10-year-olds practicing ballet at the barre, teens and college students rehearsing for a summer stock performance, or an exhibit of paintings by local artists.   During the summer the HCA hosts a free “Shakespeare Under the Stars” performance outdoors.  Along with helping locals explore their creativity, HCA hopes to attract more nationally known performers to Hopkinton.

The new Hopkinton Public Library also promises to be a crown jewel.  Set to open in late 2016, the library will include more space for books, technology and public gatherings.  Like the HCA, the library renovation incorporates its original building, a church that dates back to the 19^thcentury, but includes amenities to bring it into the modern age.

One of Hopkinton’s many beloved traditions is serving as the start of the fabled Boston Marathon. Each year, on the third Monday in April, as many as 100,000 runners and spectators descend on the town common to enjoy the sport and the pageantry.  Locals get the chance to mingle with athletes, journalists and celebrities who come to town for the day.  While the town common is quiet for most of the year, it comes alive for the marathon and for other traditions -- including Polyarts, a juried art show in September, and a tree lighting and holiday festival in early December.  On Sundays from late spring through early October, the common also hosts a farmer’s market, where locavores can shop for corn, green beans, tomatoes, baked goods and other items grown or made just a few miles away.

Hopkinton’s traditions, and its thoughtful balancing of the past and the future, help make it a very desirable place to live.  So does its location near major highways, making it easy to drive to Boston or Providence for work or a night out. While the community has no large retail chains, it’s close enough to many Metrowest communities that do. 

For families with children, the community’s award-winning schools and its safe neighborhoods are huge draws.  In 2016 Hopkinton High School was ranked #5 among Massachusetts High Schools by US News and World Report, and #163 in the national rankings. The schools enjoy a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, and strong programs for both advanced students and those who need help.  Police officers are a friendly presence around Hopkinton, and know many residents by name.

While it’s a great place to raise a family, Hopkinton also takes care of its empty nesters and its seniors. The HCA is already becoming a gathering spot for older adults who no longer have the schools as a center of social life, and new housing developments are offering smaller units for those who want to downsize. The spacious and modern Hopkinton Senior Center includes a lounge, library, greenhouse, thrift shop and spaces for games, crafts, computers and mingling.  The center also offers movies every Monday and low-priced breakfasts and lunches each weekday.  Senior housing, located close to the center, offers options for elderly residents who want to move to smaller quarters. A bus picks up seniors who live in other parts of town and want to enjoy the center.

In short, Hopkinton offers rural charm, history, convenience, a growing number of shopping and cultural outlets, and opportunities for residents of all ages. 

Additional note -

An organization called Safewise, who works to increase home and community safety released the "Top 20 Safest Cities in Massachusetts for 2016" list and Hopkinton is ranked towards the top of the list.  Hopkinton is ranked #4.