The city of Hope was another gold mining area and is almost directly across Turnagain Arm from McHugh Creek. However the distance to drive to Hope is approx. 80 miles (one way) so we decided to make a day trip to check in out.
As we left the Seward Highway we looked back across Turnagain Arm at the Seward.
When we arrived in Hope we first drove through a very nice forest service campground out on the point. Then back into Main Street and the sign showing information about Hope (founded in 1896).
Drove down to the edge of town and looked across the Arm and Cook Inlet towards Anchorage.
Resurection Creek comes out of the mountains and flows into the Arm here.
Looking back up Main Street. There is a city campground located just about where we took this picture from.
Talked with several people living in Hope. There is a lot of restoration work being done on the old buildings. Most of it is done by volunteers. This log house is scheduled for work but so for nothing has been done.
Here is the only general store and one of the two cafes.
With an old washing machine in front.
Looking back down Main Street here is the Social Hall (built in 1903 and still used today) a couple cabins and the same cafe pictured earlier.
The homeowner lives in this log house and is in the process of restoring it and all the out buildings.
The first territorial school was built in Hope in 1915 and burned in 1937. Students finished the school year in the Social Hall. One of the early school buildings is now located at the Museum and was also the residence of the school teacher.
The building beyond the school is an old barn and has stalls inside.
When we were living in Alaska from 2004 thru 2008 there was much discussion about closing the Hope School because the enrollment was down to 5 students. A new school had been built and opened in 1985 and the cost to maintain it was too high. The residents were advertising for people with school age children to move into the area, asking the home owners that only used there residence in the summer to please allow families to rent them during the school year. The school pictured below has a athletic field also.
Well today Hope is growing with many new homes and land being sold in a development. There are 23 students and they are actively seeking to hire a second teacher.
There is a very nice museum . . . here is the early “post office desk” on display.
Plus lots of needle work and old furnishings.
One of the young volunteer helpers (Katy is age 9) showed us around the buildings.
As we were leaving Hope we drove out Resurection Road (which follows the creek ) up into the mountains. There is a lot of water coming out of the mountains. This picture was taken from the footbridge in Chugach National Forest.
As we were driving out I (Jo Ann) thought I saw a black bear in a field so we turned around to have another look. Did not see one in the field but did see this one crossing the road a little further in towards Hope.
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