Ruralite Cafe: Published 10/12/00

By Lisa Majors-Duff - News Editor

Can saving one old house impact an entire county?

On the one hand, I and the rest of the community know the importance of a successful public library program to its county's citizens. On the other hand, the Hooper House represents a part of our county's history that is quickly disappearing and should be worth saving. It seemed that improving the library and preserving the Hooper House did not have to be mutually-exclusive events.

Soon after word got out that the county had plans to destroy the house, a group of local citizens formed the Hooper House Preservation Foundation, with a goal of raising nearly $425,000 to restore the building to its original grandeur. After renovating the house, foundation members plan to use it as a permanent home for the Chamber of Commerce, the Travel and Tourism Authority, Sylva Partners in Renewal and the Jackson County Historical Society. They hired an architect, filed an application with the National Register of Historic Places and applied for non-profit status so those who wished to see the building saved could donate to the cause and receive a tax break.

With Phase one of the restoration project (shoring up the foundation, installing a new metal roof and applying exterior paint) nearing completion, foundation members are beginning to wonder just how much of an impact the restoration of one old building will have on the community. And they are daily discovering answers to their question from a variety of sources.

For example, foundation members are beginning to realize the impact the Hooper House will have on the economy of downtown Sylva. Located at the foot of the steps to the most photographed courthouse in North Carolina, the Hooper House will serve to welcome visitors to Sylva and point them in the direction of Dillsboro, Cashiers or Cullowhee, where ever they want to go. In addition to the new visitors center, the house will feature a small retail space specializing in "Sylva" merchandise - T-shirts, pins, caps, etc. Then there's the opportunity to preserve and remember our past as a room in the Hooper House will be used for the first Jackson County Museum. Under the direction of the county historical association, the museum will serve to remind us why we should be proud of Jackson County's bygone years.

And let's not forget what's going on today at the Hooper House. The community has come together to save a historic landmark, not only in a leadership role through the creation of a foundation, but in a financial role as grants are written and funds are contributed to this not-for-profit endeavor. Although any amount will be greatly appreciated, five levels of giving have been established. Donations of $150 and up will be recognized with an engraved brick paver in the sidewalk in front of the house.

With those donated funds, laborers who have a reputation for quality are working to restore the home of Dr. Delos Dexter Hooper to much the same condition as when it was designed and built by Sylva architect Charles M. Wells in 1905. Today's architect, Odell Thompson, has described the work being done as one of the best examples of recycling he's ever seen. If a brick or a board can be saved, he said, it will be. Then there's "Big" Robert McMahan, the project foreman, who is part of the reason the Balsam Mountain Inn is as beautiful as it is today.

We at The Sylva Herald have plans to follow the progress at the Hooper House, not only as the physical condition of the building improves, but as even more important steps are taken. We hope to publish a feature story at least once a month until the grand opening. We plan to talk to Dr. Hooper's two remaining children, to those involved in Sylva's economic development, and to "Big Robert." We want to do our part to preserve the past the best way we know how, through the words of those closest to the project.

We'd also like to hear from those of you who have memories of the Hooper House from years ago, back when Dr. Hooper treated thousands of Jackson County residents in his home, regardless of their ability to pay for services. Tells us what you remember; tell us what you were told. And let us look at your photographs. Who knows, maybe your story will become part of the Hooper House's future.

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