Hopewell’s historic, community ties with Lee a major focus of 100th anniversary celebration

Photo By Lesley Atkinson | Old City Point Waterfront along the Appomattox river in Hopewell, Va.  

UNITED STATES

05.19.2016

Story by Lesley Atkinson 

Fort Gregg-Adams

FORT LEE, Va. (May 19, 2016) -- “Fort Lee is an integral part of who we are as a city. Most of us have family members or friends who work or have retired there. A lot of our stores and restaurants depend on the patronage of post workers and families. It’s a partnership we have long-cherished and will continue to nurture in the years ahead.”

Those are the words of Charles E. Dane, assistant city manager of Hopewell, who recently shared information with the Traveller about his community’s 100th anniversary celebration that began earlier this month and will conclude on July 2. He and other city representatives want their Fort Lee neighbors to join them in the festivities and experience the downtown-area’s ongoing transformation into a cultural and economic hot spot.

The list of anniversary activities can be viewed at www.hopewellva.gov/100th-anniversary-events/. Weekly outdoor concerts at Weston Plantation and the City Point Marina, and a July 2 festival with a proclamation reading, music, food and fireworks are some of the key happenings, Dane noted.

Jeanie L. Langford, assistant librarian and archivist for the Appomattox Regional Library System, elaborated on Dane’s comment about the “integral link” between Fort Lee and Hopewell, specifically focusing on the shared history between her town and the U.S. Army.

In the spring of 1912, the E.I. DuPont Company purchased approximately 2,000 acres of land in an area along the Appomattox River now known as City Point. About 700 people already lived in the area, but when the company was called upon by the Army to produce guncotton – an explosive, smokeless powder made with nitric and sulfuric acid – its workforce jumped to 40,000 in a matter of years.

In 1915, most of the town of Hopewell burned to the ground due to a fire. People lived in tents, under trees – wherever they could – but workers kept operating the plants. In about a year almost the whole town had been rebuilt, not out of wood, but with bricks.

After the war, the guncotton was no longer needed, and the town took a big blow. The population diminished to 1,320. The plants – once filled with workers – were now vacant and being marketed all over the world to bring businesses to Hopewell.

The city again revitalized itself in the 20s and 30s. The Great Depression did not affect Hopewell in the same manner as other small towns in surrounding areas.

As World War II began, the city launched into the war. Camp Lee reopened and thousands of Soldiers moved into the area. Many Hopewell residents served in the military to support the war effort. It gave the community purpose and a renewed sense of strength.

Despite the decreasing population Hopewell faced after World War II, the city endured instead of withering away. In recent years, efforts to revitalize the area – particularly the downtown offerings – were spurred with the Virginia Community Business Launch, a pilot program offered by the VA Department of Housing and Community Development. Hopewell was one of three cities to receive a $100,000 grant in 2015.

“Hopewell is a resilient city,” said Dane. “It has endured catastrophes two-to-three times and has repeatedly made a rebound. That is how it got the name the ‘Wonder City.”

“We believe our town is being exemplified right now,” he continued. “With the decline of small towns throughout the years, most have dried up and have fallen prey to hard times. However, while our downtown has suffered, our community has survived because we have industry here and people have jobs. I believe we are rebounding once again, and climbing our way out of the ashes. Very positive things are happening here, and I believe it is our time again.”

In the near future, restaurants are set to open throughout Hopewell. A local popular restaurant The Boathouse Restaurant Group has four locations in Richmond and is forecast to have the newest location to open at City Point.

“We have a pizzeria, donut shop, and coffee shop underway and two other restaurants are about to be announced,” Dane said. “Within this calendar year we’ll have most of the storefront shops filled with businesses. People don’t know it yet … but they will see a tremendous change with downtown Hopewell.”

One of the newest businesses to help revitalize the city’s downtown area is a gourmet candy shop aptly called the Sweet Tooth Candy Shop.

“The citizens of Hopewell are excited about bringing back the downtown and welcomes the Fort Lee community to share in the city’s rebirth,” said Langford. “The Fort Lee community should visit Hopewell because it is such a rich part of their history.”

“People can walk on the same path that Soldiers marched down to ships waiting to carry them overseas during World War I,” she continued. “Another area is the bluffs at City Point where some amphibious landings were practiced prior to D-Day. There are several historic homes to visit including 18-century Weston Plantation. The Appomattox Regional Library System provides many services to the community for all ages. We have great programs for the children and our website provides educational opportunities for adults.”

The city took ownership and restored its 1928 Beacon Theatre after the doors had been closed for over 20 years. The Beacon is a landmark for the city and provides musical entertainment for all ages and brings in well-known entertainers throughout the year.

Hopewell offers many places for history buffs to tour and explore. Hopewell offers 26 parks; some with walking and cycling trails.

“Hopewell is an unique aspect of American Civil War story in particular,” said Dr. Kenneth Finlayson, CASCOM command historian. “The natural draw for people visiting Petersburg with historical interest will be the Petersburg National battlefields and Five Forks battlefield. However, if you don’t go see the Old City Point aspect of the siege, you are going to miss a major part of what made the Petersburg battlefield what it was. The Union Army was building to supply itself down here from Washington, D.C., and the North, and City Point was central to that.

The city of Hopewell welcomes and appreciates the Soldiers and civilians as a part of their community, said Dane.

“We want this connection to float both ways,” he said. “We want to provide for Fort Lee as they have provided for us. The festivals – such as the Beer Festival last weekend – target the Soldiers and employees of Fort Lee. We know the connection is there, and want them to be a part of our community.”

• Date Taken: 05.19.2016
• Date Posted: 05.19.2016 14:17
• Story ID: 198554
• Location: US