Hopkinton, New Hampshire

Complete with the oldest railroad covered bridge in the United States, Hopkinton presents a charming blend of well-preserved history and scenic beauty only 12 miles from downtown Concord. The civic pride of the nearly 6,000 residents is evident in their care for their picturesque surroundings and their support of a host of cultural and recreational opportunities in the area.

Originally settled in 1735 and incorporated 30 years later, the town is made up of three named areas: the mainly residential Hopkinton, the agricultural center of West Hopkinton, and the business area of Contoocook Village. Hopkinton was once the New Hampshire state capital and a popular stop for rail passengers traveling between Boston and Montreal. Contoocook Village was named for a tribe of Penacook Indians who lived there originally, as was the Contoocook River that flows through town. Currently, the town landscape includes a wide variety of well-preserved historical homes and public buildings mixed with new developments, working farms, and eclectic shops.

The active farming community provides residents with an array of local agricultural products at seasonal farm stands and farmers’ markets, several orchards, and even an organic blueberry farm. For 4 days each Labor Day Weekend, the large-scale regional event of the Hopkinton State Fair is held on the town fair grounds, presenting all manner of agricultural events and animal shows, a midway carnival, music, tractor pulls, grandstand events, and a demolition derby. In existence for over 90 years, the fair has become a top-ranked agricultural fair in New Hampshire and draws a substantial crowd.

Area recreational attractions are numerous and cater to outdoor enthusiasts year round.

Nearby Kimball Pond offers swimming, water sports, and cabins for camping. The John Brockway Nature Preserve and the Myron Chase Wildlife Sanctuary are just two of several nature preserves that offer trails and family programs. Hopkinton sponsors active youth recreation programs and has built both an outdoor ice skating rink and a skateboard park for residents. Since 2002, the town has also sponsored The Annual Contoocook Carry, a Triathlon or Walk for individuals and teams of all ages and abilities. The Carry offers family fun while raising money to support the community, with proceeds benefiting human services programs, recreation scholarships, and the Fire and Police departments.

Hopkinton and Contoocook share a school district. Approximately 300 students grades PreK-3 attend the Harold Martin School, and approximately 24o students grades 4-6 attend The Maple Street School. Hopkinton Middle/High School enrolls approximately 540 students in grades 7-12. The middle school remains a separate entity from the high school by organizing instruction for 7th and 8th grade in teaching teams.

Sources:

Official Web Site

State profile of Hopkinton