Before former U.S. President Bill Clinton lived in the White House, his home was in Hope. Visit the charming seat of Hempstead County in southwestern Arkansas. Discover today’s many cultural offerings and its beginnings as a railroad town.
Discover Hope’s origins at the Cairo and Fulton Depot. The city was established when tracks of the Cairo and Fulton Railway, the predecessor of the Union Pacific Railway, were being laid across Arkansas. The first passenger train arrived in 1872, and Hope grew from there. Hope’s oldest building, the depot today serves as Southwest Arkansas Arts Council’s headquarters.
Learn more about the city’s history at the Hope Visitor Center and Museum in the restored 1912 railroad depot. Browse exhibits containing historic photos, railroad memorabilia and information about Bill Clinton.
Visit the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home, a national historic site. The two-story house, a simple white structure with green trim, was the home of the future 42nd president of the United States from his birth in 1946 until age four.
Step back in time at Historic Washington State Park just outside the city limits. Walk among over 30 immaculately preserved 19th-century structures in the historic village. See a variety of architectural styles, from stately Greek revival and Italianate buildings to simple hand-hewn wooden homes. Check out historic artifacts, including weapons, period clothing and antique furniture inside the buildings.
Come to Hope in August to enjoy the Hope Watermelon Festival, an annual event with thousands of visitors. Druggist John S. Gibson started a watermelon-growing competition in the 1920s, which grew to a giant festival. The 4-day event has since revealed some of the world’s largest watermelons, including Guinness Book of World Record winners. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, delicious food and, of course, watermelon.
At the 1992 Democratic National Convention, Bill Clinton famously said, "I still believe in a place called Hope." Learn why this small but impactful city has enchanted thousands.
