The October 2026 updates to the History Project included Old School Baptist Meetinghouse, Hopewell Trolley Questions, and World War II Rationing in Hopewell. (See Site Updates for more.)
Hopewell’s Historic Old School Baptist Meetinghouse
Hopewell Borough is blessed to have the historic Old School Baptist Meetinghouse, including the incredibly well-preserved church and associated cemetery with memorials back before the Revolutionary War.
The Meetinghouse was recently recognized by being listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The building is substantially unchanged since the last modifications in 1900-1901, still with the open style wood pews and cushions stuffed with straw and cotton. The surrounding cemetery dates back to 1747, when the original church was built, and contains at least 1,600 burials.
Hopewell Trolley Questions
We have Hopewell Trolley Questions related to the Hopewell Borough trolley service from 1904 to 1924. We know quite a bit about the local trolley companies and services, and now have posted 25-some images of trolley cars and tracks.
We still have some lingering confusions, especially understanding where the trolley tracks ended in Hopewell (at the eastern boundary of the borough), and where they ran along the streets (since they were moved from the side to the center of the road).
World War II Rationing in Hopewell
The Hopewell Herald newspaper provides helpful perspective on World War II Rationing in Hopewell. These include the implementation of rationing for essential foods with ration books, gas rationing for non-essential vehicles, and rationing of automobile tires (new and retreads and tubes).
There also is coverage of community efforts to work through the war effort, including recycling drives, Victory Gardens, and the use of alternative foods and ingredients.
Please contact us if you have – or know of – other images and materials that we can share to help illuminate the history of our Hopewell Valley.
