Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot

The Missouri Pacific Railroad (MPR) built this historic, and active, train station around 1917. Known as Hope Station, it is an Amtrak station located on the Texas Eagle line which runs from Chicago to San Antonio. It also home to the Hope City Visitor Center and a museum, which features exhibits about the city's history as well President Bill Clinton, who was born here. The building is 550 feet long and is a good example of Mediterranean architecture, which was the MPR's chosen architectural style for its passenger and freight depots. Hope Station features a hipped roof with red tiles, large brackets supporting the roof overhang, and large windows. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

In 1873, the Cairo & Fulton Railroad (C&F), which was given permission in 1853 to build a railroad line from the Missouri border to northeast Texas, established the town of Hope (the town was named after the railroad director's daughter). The town grew quickly, which attracted another railroad, the Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad, in 1875. By then, C&F was acquired by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. With two railroads, Hope developed into an important transportation and economic center and its the population rose to 1,500 residents. It also became the county seat.

The MPR acquired the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway in 1917 as part of an effort to expand its network of rail lines in the country. The station operated until 1968 and was then unused for many years. After President Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, the city hoped to encourage tourism and it was decided that the station should converted into a museum and visitor center. The Union Pacific Railroad, which had acquired the MPR by then, donated the station to the city and renovation work began. The building reopened in 1995. However, a portion of the old station was left vacant in hopes of convincing Amtrak to make Hope a train stop. Amtrak service finally did begin in 2013.

"Hope, AR (HOP)." The Great American Stations. Accessed August 23, 2021. http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/hope-ar-hop.

Story, Kenneth. "Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 11, 1992. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/26139719/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_AR/92000610.pdf.