Hopeton, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hopeton
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 Hopeton
Location in California
Hopeton
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Merced County |
| Elevation | 184 ft (56 m) |
Hopeton is a small, unincorporated community in Merced County, California. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own. It's located about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north-northeast of Atwater. Hopeton sits at an elevation of 184 feet (56 meters) above sea level.
Discovering Hopeton
Hopeton is found in the Merced River area, just west of Snelling. It's a quiet spot today, but it has a long and interesting history.
Early Days of Hopeton
People started settling in the Hopeton area a long time ago. Records show that a church was built there as early as 1852. This means it was an important gathering place for early settlers.
By 1881, Hopeton had grown quite a bit. It was home to over 1,000 people! This shows it was a busy and thriving community back then. The town even had its own school district, called the Hopeton School District, which served local children until 1973.
How Hopeton Got Its Name
Hopeton hasn't always been called Hopeton. Its very first name was Forlorn Hope. This name comes from a military term that means a group of soldiers sent on a very dangerous mission. It's not clear why the community was given such a dramatic name!
The town also had a post office with this name. The Forlorn post office operated from 1854 to 1859, and again from 1860 to 1861. Later, the name changed to Hopetown and then finally to Hopeton. The Hopeton post office was open for many years, from 1866 to 1894, and then again from 1911 to 1914.
