Early Hope, Idaho
by Bob Gunter
The first white man to come to the area was the famed David Thompson, map maker and fur dealer. He had traveled from Canada and built Kulyspell House on the peninsula of Lake Pend Oreille.
The history of Hope began in 1882 with the coming of the railroad. The town was built on a hill overlooking beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. Any person living in the area today will readily tell you that it is the most beautiful spot on earth.
In the early days the Northern Pacific Railroad built Highland House in Hope as a luxury hotel for the use of Easterners. The hotel had three stories and was well publicized as a place of recreation and relaxation. The most famous visitor to stay at the hotel was General William Sherman of Civil War fame.
Before the Northern Pacific moved its division point from Heron, Montana, Hope had only a few families and some Indians living in the area. The move resulted in over-night growth and Hope became a center of activity. The town got its name from a Dr. Hope who was a veterinarian with the railroad. The town was plotted in 1896 and in 1903 a petition for corporation was signed.
In the early days of Hope gambling and drinking was the order of the day. At one time there were seven saloons in a one-block area. One of the popular saloons was located in the old Jeannot Hotel. This hotel has been renovated and still stands but is no longer in business. One of the stores in early Hope was called Twin Woo Company. The owner, Twin Woo, also managed the Chinese who worked on the railroad. At one time there were 300 Chinese workers employed in the Hope area.
Early Hope sported a Post Office, two Hotels, two restaurants, a lumber company, two barber shops, a lath and shingle mill, two meat markets, blacksmith shop, and a drug store. Wagon, horseback, train or boat provided transportation.
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All photographs have been used with permission of the Bonner County Museum.
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