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Friends to lead tour of mineral springs, site of former hotel

Informational signs on a trail off Lyford Road tell the history of the Hopkinton Springs Hotel and the mineral springs that used to attract sick and wealthy vacationers in the 1800s. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD

A tour hosted by the Friends of Whitehall this Sunday will take residents on a journey into the history of hospitality and wellness in Hopkinton.

Led by Friends of Whitehall president Peter Regan, the tour will take attendees down a short trail to visit the site of of Hopkinton’s mineral springs. According to the Friends’ website, the Hopkinton Springs Hotel opened in 1820 at the site and was one “one of the first resorts in New England and attracted both the sick and wealthy vacationers from Boston and beyond.”

Regan explained that the site of the former hotel, which sits just off Spring Street and Lyford Street, formerly was a farm that belonged to a man named Joel Norcross. According to Regan, a hurricane blew through the area prior to the hotel’s founding, tearing up trees, destroying a sawmill and exposing three springs containing magnesium, iron and sulfur.

“[Norcross realized] he could make more money bringing people to his farm and hosting them and making a bath house than to go back to rebuilding his sawmill,” said Regan.

Sunday’s tour involves a short walk down a “slightly inclined trail,” according to the Friends of Whitehall website. Regan will dive deeper into the history of the springs and hotel and point out structures and other artifacts that remain in the area. The FOW president noted the magnesium and sulfur springs still are present, along with the original steps to the hotel and remnants of a bath house.

Regan has a history with the site spanning nearly two decades. His son, James, did research and constructed plaques about the springs as part of an Eagle Scout project in 2009. Both father and son became involved in the site, and now the Friends of Whitehall maintains the plaques.

“It was a very interesting journey for myself and certainly for James,” recalled Regan.

The tour is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. Regan recommended that those who are interested in attending keep an eye on the Friends of Whitehall website in the event of rain. He anticipated Sept. 27 would be the likely rain date.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

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The latest Real Estate Transactions list shows five homes sold in the past week.

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In the latest Professional Insights, Edward Jones financial advisor Mark Freeman explores questions individuals should consider when envisioning retirement.

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will host its next monthly meeting at the Hopkinton Historical Society on Monday.

Town meetings tonight include the Select Board (6), Hopkinton Cultural Council (6), Elementary School Building Committee (6) and Conservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Otto Baldel prepares an order on the grill at the Batter Up! stand during the annual PolyArts festival at the Town Common on Saturday. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/WILLIAM DURFEE