The Starting Line; There's More Than Meets The Eye

For sure, the Boston Marathon is famous for its elite athletes, challenging course, and picturesque  topograpy, but beyond that, there is a slew of history at the starting line.

Greeting the runners at the starting line is a life-size figure of a soldier or Dough-Boy, as they were called. This statue was erected in 1931 to honor the men who served in World War I, from 1917-1919. It faces west and has a granite base, with a tablet of bronze on which is inscribed the names of men who answered the call to serve their country.

Directly across the street from the soldier statue,  rests a beautiful sculpture called, The Starter.  The Starter was sculpted by Michael Alfano and commisioned by the Hopkinton Athletic Association in 2008.

A portion of the inscription on the statue reads, " Honoring George V. Brown who stands ready to start the Boston Marathon as he did from 1905-1937. Thousands of runners gather here each year at the race start visible just a few feet away, to run the 26.2 miles to Boston. Brown is Hopkinton's "First Citizen of Sport", born here in 1880. He was instrumental in bringing the Boston Marathon start to Hopkinton as Boston Athletic Association govener, coach and Athletic Director."

To the right of the Starter, situated in the common facing north,  is a three-paneled, white granite monument. On the left is inscribed World War II, 1941-1945. On the right, the Korean Conflict, 1950-1951. In the center, is the list of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. At night, bright lights enhance their appearance.

Nestled among the flowers in front of Hopkinton's town gazebo is a memorial which reads, "In memory of the sons and daughters of Hopkinton who made the supreme sacrifice of life and all who served in wars or conflicts for the preservation of our free nation."

To the right of the gazebo, disguised as large boulders, are monuments.

The first granite boulder is  dedicated to The First Meeting House in Hopkinton, built in 1724 and removed in 1830. This memorial was erected by the First Congregational Church in 1911.

The second memorial was dedicated to Joseph F. Annunziata M.D., 1911-1977. The inscription reads, "Doctor, Counseler, Friend."

 While runners are stretching and warming up on the field, they will encounter a large, two-tiered fountain. The fountain was erected in memory of Charles Winslow Claflin and Ann Marla Claflin by their son Charles L. Claflin in 1907.

Lining the town common are several famous houses built in the 1800's. The Lee Claflin House, located at 8 Hayden Row Street was built for Lee by his son, Gov. William Claflin. Lee was born in Hopkinton in 1791 and was a member of the Mass. Legislature and the Liberty Party, active in the anti-slavery cause.

At the corner of Hayden Row and Main Street rests the Valentine House, built by Col. Joseph Valentine in 1849. Former Govener William Claflin lived in this house for 25-years. The elite of the state were entertained in this gracious home.

Located at the corner of Hayden rowe and Main Street is a marker-(street sign), entitled; Leigh D. Hughes Square, in memory of Lt. Leigh D. Hughes, the first World War I casualty.

Boston Marathon runners can not only enjoy Hopkinton's beautiful town common,  they can also carry a part of our town's history with them as they make their way into Boston.

A special thanks to the library for providing the following resources for this piece:"A Brief History of Information on Hopkinton."  By: Mrs. Frances A Safford.  " Hopkinton's Historic Sites and Landmarks."  Published by: Hopkinton Historical Commission, 1975.