Early settlers came to Mount Hope to begin mining coal. Coal miners in Mount Hope continued to thrive for about 250 years, but ending due to the rise of mining in the Mid-west and closing entirely during the depression.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans in Mount Hope, the land was used primarily by Native Americans for centuries until William Blake, Sr. became the first white settler in the area. During this time Blake built a Hotel, The Old Blake Inn, in order to house travelers and coal miners on their way through Mount Hope. Between the 1890s and 1930s, Mount Hope's population and economy were booming. Until a Tragic fire (The Mount Hope Fire) occurred in 1910, destroying the majority of the town, Including the Old Blake Inn, and leaving only a few buildings standing.
With the help of the town, Mount Hope had been rebuilt, the Old Blake Inn was completely destroyed but another Inn was built in its place and managed to reopen under the name "Hotel Mount Hope" and became a hot spot for the miners in the area. At this time, Mount Hope continued to prosper. But it did not last long. The population of Mount Hope started to decline due to the start of the Great Depression. Unfortunately, The town Mount Hope had a hard time recovering from the Depression. Hotel Mount Hope shut down and opened again as the "New River Hotel", a hotel for businessmen traveling through the town. The Hotel was completely renovated at this time and opened under yet another name "The Mountainair Hotel". But inevitably closed again.
Today, Mount Hope's population continues to decline, leaving it much of a ghost town. The Hotel had been left vacant for some time but has since been bought and renamed the "Cottle Mountainair" by Joyce and Harvey Cottle, who have spent their time and dedication to renovate and reopen the Hotel as a space for family and community to come together. Joyce and Harvey currently rent out a room on the First floor to "Heart to Hands The Serendipity Shop[6]", a local reiki and holistic shop that occasionally hosts events inside of the hotel.
The community took its name from the local Mount Hope School.[7]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,414 people, 626 households, and 362 families living in the city. The population density was 1,063.2 inhabitants per square mile (410.5/km2). There were 737 housing units at an average density of 554.1 per square mile (213.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.0% White, 18.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 626 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the city was 37.5 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,487 people, 635 households, and 419 families living in the city. The population density was 1,142.9 people per square mile (441.6/km2). There were 750 housing units at an average density of 576.4 per square mile (222.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.77% White, 22.33% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 635 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,375, and the median income for a family was $23,333. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,147. About 35.1% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.3% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
