Railaroad's arrival prompted growth of Hope

The first white man to come to the Hope area was the famed David Thompson, mapmaker and fur dealer. He traveled from Canada to the peninsula of Lake Pend Oreille and built Kullyspel House, a trading post, in September 1809. Thompson reported some problems with the roof of his building and said, “The snow in melting found many a passage Š” Thompson abandoned Kullyspel House in 1811 in favor of Spokane House.

The history of Hope began in 1882 with the coming of the railroad. Construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad around Lake Pend Oreille brought thousands of workers to the area. The town was built on a hill overlooking the beautiful lake and any person living in the area today will readily tell you that it is the most beautiful spot on earth.

Before the Northern Pacific moved its division point from Heron, Mont. 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 good doctor not only treated animals but he had a good sampling of human patients. It was all together a different meaning when people, back then, would say, “Let's go see Hope.” The town was platted in 1896 and in 1903; a petition for corporation was signed.

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 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.

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. Joseph Jeannot built his hotel, circa 1898, to provide fourteen rooms to travelers. A two-story wooden porch once spanned the front of the building. Some of the guests that visited the old hotel were Teddy Roosevelt, Gary Cooper, and Bing Crosby. The building was refurbished and was open for a short period in 1998. Today the hotel is closed but a restaurant, The Wily Wedgeon, is located in the hotel and is a good place to eat and enjoy the ambiance of yesteryear.

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. One of the stores in early Hope was the 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. Wagon, horseback, train or boat provided transportation.