Hopedale History August 2019 No. 373 Town Park Bandstand, Etc Hopedale in July Hopedale in August Recent additions to pages on hope1842.com - Hopedale High Class of 1962 (Thanks to Bob Butcher and Dick Earle for a picture of the class at Park Street in third grade, and two class pictures from Chapel Street.) Recent deaths <><><><><><><><><> Twenty-five years ago - July 1994 - Jeff Bezos founds Amazon North Korean President Kim Il-sung dies, but officially continues to hold office. The Allied occupation of Berlin ends with a casing of the colors ceremony attended by U.S. President Bill Clinton. Fragments of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 impact the planet Jupiter. Fifty years ago - July 1969 - French is made equal to English throughout the Canadian national government. Vietnam War: The very first U.S. troop withdrawals are made. Edward M. Kennedy drives off a bridge on his way home from a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts. Mary Jo Kopechne, a former campaign aide to his brother, dies in the early morning hours of July 19 in the submerged car. At 10:56 pm ET (02:56 UTC July 21) the lunar module Eagle | Apollo 11 lands on the lunar surface. An estimated 500 million people worldwide, the largest television audience for a live broadcast at that time, watch in awe as Neil Armstrong takes his first historic steps on the surface of the Moon. July 24 - The Apollo 11 returns from the first successful Moon landing. President Richard Nixon declares the Nixon Doctrine, stating that the United States now expects its Asian allies to take care of their own military defense. This starts the "Vietnamization" of the war. President Richard Nixon makes an unscheduled visit to South Vietnam, meeting with President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and U.S. military commanders.
<><><><><><><><><><> Hopedale Park Bandstand Is One of a Kind in Milford Area By Gordon E. Hopper Styles of various buildings and monuments around the local area are identified by such names as Gothic, New England, Colonial, Modern and Romanesque. In addition to these, there are other structures which although not designed as above, are of interest. For instance, an ornamental bandstand located on the north side of the Hopedale Town Park on Dutcher Street in Hopedale, is one of a kind in the Milford area. Near the end of July 1906, the Board of Park Commissioners, composed then of Clare H. Draper, George O. Draper and Frank J. Dutcher awarded a contract to Dillon, Bros, a Milford contractor, to build the structure. Plans for the bandstand were drawn up by Chapman & Fraser, architects, of Boston. It measured 16 by 26 feet, with tight floors, had an ornamental shingled roof and a rough sawn finish on most of the lumber used. An underpinning of granite blocks provided a solid base on which to build the gazebo or belvedere. Contractors from Boston and Milford figured the cost of the contemplated bandstand and the Dillon Bros. bid was accepted as being the lowest one by a very close margin. After and during the time it was being built, it was necessary to do a considerable amount of work grading the grounds. For many years, a Hopedale band provided interested residents with concerts. At the present time, weekly concerts are being presented by members of the Milford-Framingham Concert Band. During the past, as well as at the present time, these concerts have been sponsored by the Walter Tillotson Post, American Legion. Information pertaining to the musical part of this story was graciously supplied by Lucille Damon of Hopedale, a member of the Hopedale Historical Commission. Photographs and stories about the Hopedale Library have appeared in previous issues of the Milford Daily News. However, we are reminded that a landscape cleanup program has been completed and that the beautiful "Hope" statue and fountain at the library are now easily visible. The fountain was given to the town of Hopedale by Mrs. William F Draper (Susan) in 1904. Two large marble eagles guard the entrance to the fountain. At that time water poured out of the dragons head drinking fountain. The statue is made of fine Carrara marble and it was sculpted in Italy by Waldo Story. It is believed to be his only work in an American public spot. (Actually the water comes out of Medusa's mouth, and the mouths of two snakes.)
architect of Boston named C. Howard Walker. This fine proportioned building is Romanesque in style. A small memorial park on Hopedale Street, opposite the Draper complex contains an imposing statue that honors Adin Ballou, once a noted resident of the community. It was designed by William Ordway Partridge, is made of bronze, and is a most impressive statue placed on a granite base. Hopedale's Unitarian Church is another beautiful style of construction. It was given to the Town of Hopedale by George A. and Eben S. Draper as a memorial to their parents, George and Hannah Draper. This lovely building is a correct example of the English Gothic style. Milford Daily News Ezine Menu HOME |
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Here's a hit from 1994 - Hero by Mariah Carey. |
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock - Villanova Junction Blues |
Park. Woodstock, 1969. |