Mount Hope: Historic Sites and City History

Mount Hope’s historical perspective takes several forms: its preserved streetscape, a self-guided walking tour, and the history of DuBois High School. These distinct themes give you concrete points of reference for deciding which interests to prioritize on your trip.

Cityscape and Historic Sites

Much of downtown Mount Hope has been preserved almost as it was in the 1920s. The New River Company offices also remain in Mount Hope. This places a historic streetscape and a surviving building from the company’s history alongside the individual sites that also help define the town.

The Mount Hope Historic District includes parts of Main, Tennessee, Montana, and Virginia Streets; Fayette and Mountain Avenues; Stadium Drive; North Pax Avenue; and North Maryland. The boundaries do not encompass entire streets across the board, but rather parts of each. The streetscape is therefore one way to explore the town’s history, while the walking tour leads to selected historic sites.

A Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Mount Hope Historical Walking Trail is a self-guided tour along Mount Hope’s sidewalks that leads to 16 historic sites. Each stop has QR codes that link to the Clio app, which offers detailed historical information and stories. The trail and its digital content offer two distinct ways to engage with the sites: you can follow the route and access additional historical information and stories at each location.

The History of DuBois High School

The DuBois on Main Museum is located at 116 Main Street in Mount Hope. It presents the history and contributions of DuBois High School from 1919 to 1956. The school’s development is the focus of the museum.

DuBois School was the first high school for African Americans in Fayette County and was named after Dr. W. E. B. DuBois. As part of the consolidation of schools in Mount Hope, it was renamed Mount Hope High School at the beginning of the 1956–57 school year. The dates for the museum’s presentation and the start of the 1956–57 school year help put the school’s history into context: the museum covers the history and contributions of DuBois High School through 1956, while the renaming took place at the start of the 1956–57 school year.

Art and Visitor Amenities

The Mount Hope Phoenix Wall is a mural on a building at 707 Main St. It complements the historical themes with a named example of a mural in Mount Hope.

Visitor amenities in Mount Hope include historical and interpretive information, exhibits, and parking for cars. These amenities complement the specific sites and themes without limiting the focus to just the walking tour or the museum.

Historical Highlights for Your Trip

If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Mount Hope, its different historical attractions can help you plan: the trail leads to 16 sites, the museum focuses on the history and contributions of DuBois High School, and the preserved streetscape covers much of downtown. You can choose what to focus on during your visit based on whether you’re most interested in the walking tour, the school’s history, or the cityscape.

Discover more destinations: Ansted, Oak Hill, Fayetteville

View the broader travel guide: Fayette County.