In 1850 the first permanent settlement was made in the vicinity of Hopeville. Bernard Arnold, J. Arnold, I. Ellis, J, Jamison, A. Collier and J. Shearer were among the first settlers.

During the year of 1850, Charles Cheny tried to organize a Communistic Colony which was known as the "Hopewell Colony."

This failed to prove satisfactory and lasted about three years.

$1.25 an acre would buy good land in those early days. A living was difficult to make and the winters hard to endure.

The town was laid out around a public square consisting of an entire block which formed the center of the village. The first schoolhouse in Hopeville was a log cabin and in this building all public gatherings were held. Here, too, a Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and a little later a Baptist church was organized and held meetings at the home of Dr. Jessee Emery. About 1860 a Methodist and Christian Church were erected.

The town looked forward to the coming of a railroad but their wait and hopes were in vain despite several indications through the years that one would be routed that direction; it never did materialize.

Building used as a telephone office for over 40 years. It was closed in 1966 when the town was changed to dial.

School house now used as a residence

three general variety stores, two grocery stores, one drug store, one school, one tin shop, one harness shop, one shoe shop, one wagon shop, two black smith shops, two lawyers and three physicians. The census for 1875 reported 332 people.

Today the Hopeville village is completely changed and almost gone.

Its once gailey decorated band stand is gone. The hitching posts have been removed. A few trees remain and part of the park is kept mowed and a picnic table is there far visitors to use. To the north of the square is an almost deserted lodge hall, and on the east Symonds Grocery Store. The Methodist or Community Church remains and a few dwellings.

Hopeville men witnesses for a trial in 1888. Back Row - L.-R., Unknown, Unknown, Jim Smith, Samuel Lent, Sam Smith. Front Row — Johnny Watson, Dell Cooper, Jim Lent, Perry Cooper, Boad Smith, Unknown, Joshia Purdue.

J. H. Smith Barber Shop 1898

Dr. Goudy, practiced in Hopeville until 1902.