Below is a sampling of our Project Snapshot survey replies:
What is the history of your home? Do you know when it was built? Who lived in it before you did?
Built in 1804. The Emerson family has a long history on the property. Many timbers in the barn have the Emerson signature.
Beth Bissonnette, 2597 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1990
What changes, if any, have you made to your home since you have lived here?
At some point, my property was some sort of logging camp and the "garage"" was actually a large cinder block building that was cracked and leaning when I moved in. When I had enough money, the major change I made was to tear down that building and put a proper garage in its place. There is still an asphalt road buried under a thin layer of new forest debris stretching back into the woods on my property and there are collapsed buildings along that road with who knows what left over under the piles of wood! In one place there is still an old truck bed in the woods.
Joanne Casino, 1722 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1991
What do you think are the biggest changes in Hopkinton over the years that you have lived here?
Changes that I can think of are the rebuilding of Rowell covered bridge, the closing of Bioenergy (yay!), the closing of In His Care Day Care, the end to the fireworks on Fourth of July and the demolition of the Community Center. As well as the wonderful additions of the library, the playground, the senior center, the farmers market, recycling and the wood bank. Also greatly missed is the one room school house that was on the corner of Clement Hill and Bailey Road which burned down on August 8, 1998 :-(
Sue Allen, 61 Bailey Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1993
Contoocook Village and the wealth in town. Contoocook Village has changed from a mill town to a more stereotypical New England village. We used to have a lot fewer very wealthy people and I think that gave us a little more balance. I like what Contoocook has become.
Jean Lightfoot, P. O. Box 33, moved to Contoocook in 1946
Do you have photos or objects relating to your favorite thing, or to Hopkinton’s recent history?
Hmmmm nothing really comes to mind. I did write a poem about the demolition of Columbia Hall:
Drifts of gold dust dance up,
in them, the echo of laughter, whispers
pounding feet, screams.
in the clouds,
the smell of old settles over it all
so many decisions, held hands, perfect shots
leather and loud, wild horses, over so many generations
in the sick crunch of wood, plaster, glass
with not too much thought, we let the ghosts go,
the hollow echo of metal
and a Flatbed as eulogy
Columbia Hall c.1885 to 2010
Carol Hooper, 146 Penacook Rd., moved to Contoocook in 2002
What is the most important or best thing/s about Hopkinton to you?
I was an Air Force brat, landing here in 1971, as a 10th grader in Hopkinton High School. Have been here ever since. The most important thing to me, since being in so many schools throughout my childhood, was to have my children only go to one school district. I was successful in that, and they both got a great education. Equal to that are the people and the community, that pull together to help each other in times of need. That is what it is all about.
Lisa Parker, 202 River Grant Drive, moved to Contoocook in 1971
Hopkinton is an incredibly caring community - that is by far the most important characteristic. I also love that the Town cares about its history and preserves beautiful open spaces that we all can enjoy. We have the world's BEST neighbors - seriously, we do.
Susan Covert, 33 Cottage St., moved to Contoocook in 1987
Town meetings. Community events. Green space. Neighbors helping neighbors - food pantry, Contoocook Carry, etc.
Beth Bissonnette, 2597 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1990
What are your hopes and dreams for our town?
That we will maintain a high quality, affordable standard of living for all citizens, young and old, rich and not-so-rich. We need to keep preserving the natural spaces to do that and maintain the quality of our institutions.
Joanne Casino, 1722 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1991
What message would you want to share with Hopkinton’s residents when we celebrate our 350th anniversary in 2115?
Let us continue to value all our neighbors and protect our land for future generations.
Carol Schapira, 66 Woodland Dr., moved to Contoocook in 1985
I love this town, and its history!
Lisa Parker, 202 River Grant Drive, moved to Contoocook in 1971
Built in 1804. The Emerson family has a long history on the property. Many timbers in the barn have the Emerson signature.
Beth Bissonnette, 2597 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1990
What changes, if any, have you made to your home since you have lived here?
At some point, my property was some sort of logging camp and the "garage"" was actually a large cinder block building that was cracked and leaning when I moved in. When I had enough money, the major change I made was to tear down that building and put a proper garage in its place. There is still an asphalt road buried under a thin layer of new forest debris stretching back into the woods on my property and there are collapsed buildings along that road with who knows what left over under the piles of wood! In one place there is still an old truck bed in the woods.
Joanne Casino, 1722 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1991
What do you think are the biggest changes in Hopkinton over the years that you have lived here?
Changes that I can think of are the rebuilding of Rowell covered bridge, the closing of Bioenergy (yay!), the closing of In His Care Day Care, the end to the fireworks on Fourth of July and the demolition of the Community Center. As well as the wonderful additions of the library, the playground, the senior center, the farmers market, recycling and the wood bank. Also greatly missed is the one room school house that was on the corner of Clement Hill and Bailey Road which burned down on August 8, 1998 :-(
Sue Allen, 61 Bailey Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1993
Contoocook Village and the wealth in town. Contoocook Village has changed from a mill town to a more stereotypical New England village. We used to have a lot fewer very wealthy people and I think that gave us a little more balance. I like what Contoocook has become.
Jean Lightfoot, P. O. Box 33, moved to Contoocook in 1946
Do you have photos or objects relating to your favorite thing, or to Hopkinton’s recent history?
Hmmmm nothing really comes to mind. I did write a poem about the demolition of Columbia Hall:
Drifts of gold dust dance up,
in them, the echo of laughter, whispers
pounding feet, screams.
in the clouds,
the smell of old settles over it all
so many decisions, held hands, perfect shots
leather and loud, wild horses, over so many generations
in the sick crunch of wood, plaster, glass
with not too much thought, we let the ghosts go,
the hollow echo of metal
and a Flatbed as eulogy
Columbia Hall c.1885 to 2010
Carol Hooper, 146 Penacook Rd., moved to Contoocook in 2002
What is the most important or best thing/s about Hopkinton to you?
I was an Air Force brat, landing here in 1971, as a 10th grader in Hopkinton High School. Have been here ever since. The most important thing to me, since being in so many schools throughout my childhood, was to have my children only go to one school district. I was successful in that, and they both got a great education. Equal to that are the people and the community, that pull together to help each other in times of need. That is what it is all about.
Lisa Parker, 202 River Grant Drive, moved to Contoocook in 1971
Hopkinton is an incredibly caring community - that is by far the most important characteristic. I also love that the Town cares about its history and preserves beautiful open spaces that we all can enjoy. We have the world's BEST neighbors - seriously, we do.
Susan Covert, 33 Cottage St., moved to Contoocook in 1987
Town meetings. Community events. Green space. Neighbors helping neighbors - food pantry, Contoocook Carry, etc.
Beth Bissonnette, 2597 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1990
What are your hopes and dreams for our town?
That we will maintain a high quality, affordable standard of living for all citizens, young and old, rich and not-so-rich. We need to keep preserving the natural spaces to do that and maintain the quality of our institutions.
Joanne Casino, 1722 Hopkinton Rd., moved to Hopkinton in 1991
What message would you want to share with Hopkinton’s residents when we celebrate our 350th anniversary in 2115?
Let us continue to value all our neighbors and protect our land for future generations.
Carol Schapira, 66 Woodland Dr., moved to Contoocook in 1985
I love this town, and its history!
Lisa Parker, 202 River Grant Drive, moved to Contoocook in 1971