South of Princeton, Kentucky, almost to Trigg County, sits the small rural crossroads town of Hopson. It’s situated in a tiny triangular configuration of roads, and I executed a quick U-turn (a necessity in my line of work) to investigate the collection of buildings I glimpsed from my window.
The Hopson Store, which is a 20th century replacement of the original.
It was early in the morning, and I didn’t have to be home (almost four hours away in the central part of the state) until evening – so exploration was my aim on this hazy summer day.
The rural landscape around Hopson.
There wasn’t a breeze stirring, or a person to be seen as I slowly drove past the store and a few historic houses.
Two of the historic houses in Hopson.
Not surprisingly, the name of the hamlet derives from one of the first families to farm in the area – and to take commercial advantage of the intersection of two roads. Louis (or Lewis) Addison Hopson was appointed postmaster of the Hopson branch on February 12, 1885, which was housed in his store.
In the 1910 census, Hopson (a farmer) and Jennie, his wife of 22 years, shared their house with their two daughters, one son, a niece, and two servants.
From the USPS files of postmaster appointments.
The post office, according to Robert M. Rennick’s invaluable Kentucky Place Names, closed in 1907. Its first postmaster died just six years later.
One-story frame house, likely with a central passage plan. This house dates from the late 19th century.
While I enjoyed the sleepy feeling of the small community as I drove slowly by, rural communities were historically busy places. Farming has its own rhythms, of course, dependent upon the land and the weather, but read any old newspaper and you will gain a sense of the daily bustle of a place.
The community news of Hopson, from the October 26, 1950 edition of The Princeton Leader.
I imagine the store was still in business in 1950, and there is what appears to be a former grist mill located nearby. Although I didn’t see any churches, there were surely a handful within an easy walk or ride.
This looks like a former mill of some sort to me.
When I am lucky enough to get out in the field, I seek out crossroads communities. There is often a sense of silence about these locations, left behind in a changing world, and ignored by new roads and their traffic. The silence extends beyond shuttered buildings and wild vines claiming a forgotten building.
I love wire fences like this, and especially that gate!
If I can find someone out mowing their grass – or gazing out from their porch – I like to try and get a sense of the history of the place. I know I won’t find it in a book. But not a blade of grass stirred in Hopson, and no other cars but mine intruded upon the solitude of the summer morning.
Hoptown? That is what we called Hopkinsville!
This is not Hopkinsville. This is Hopson. It’s between Princeton and Cadiz on 139. My mom grew up about 2 miles from there.
No, this is a tiny place near Princeton, KY.
We lived there 27 years and moved to Princeton 22 years ago. We lived down the road beside the Store 1/2 mile.
Thanks Janice.
Brought some peace on this steamy morning.
Loved seeing our community in picture!! The old mill, the old store, a small place but very unique in it’s own way!
Sharon, do you know anything about any of the older buildings? Who built them,that sort of thing? Would love to know more history.
I’m a Caldwell County native. My dad’s family originally lived in the Hopson area. Dad built a small cabin on some land in the 90’s and lived there for years. I believe there’s an old family cemetery in the area. I remember that we had to take a truck to get to it.
I’m from that area
I grew up right there on Hopson Road when my mom moved there in 1988 to live with my grandparents. I visited the Hopson Store many times with my brothers, cousins and neighborhood friends. We used to ride our bikes all over that area as kids-going back and forth to each other’s houses. Fond memories. My mom and stepdad still live where I grew up.
I remember going to the Hopson store with my great aunt and great grandmother. There was always a bag of mini tootsie rolls and possibly some bubble gum. Seems like we visited a cousin there.
In the 60’s, our school bus would let some of us kids off at the Hopson Store as it circled around and let off other kids! We’d get ice cream or sodas till the bus came back around for us! My Dad and his friends played pool there! I lived about 5-miles from the store and our local church, Blue Springs Baptist, is about 4-miles from the store, (still has services)! My best childhood memories!
Glad to say I live in this community, lots of history, great pictures
Thanks for highlighting this small community! There are several locals in the area and if you like i could attempt to reach out to them for a contact for you to learn a bit more. I live down the road a piece, right by the interstate. I’ve heard bits and pieces myself but haven’t retained anything worth telling. Bryan king on Facebook, in case I miss a reply here.
Bryan,
That would be great! I would love to get some background on the historic buildings that are still standing – the store, the mill, the houses. Thanks!
I was born 1960 and have found memories of going into that store with my grandmother Ivy Merrick. She would let me go in the store and get a coke with peanuts after we cleaned her brothers little shack across the road from the store. The shack is gone now. Some really Great memories.
I grew up halfway between Hopson and Cobb. L A Hopson was my great great grandfather. My great uncle Buddy Hopson lived next to the store and owned Hopson Lake.
My granddaddy Cortner played checkers in Hopson Store.