THIS OLD HOUSE…
In 1905 Dr. Delos Dexter Hooper, one of the first medical doctors practicing in Jackson County, bought a quarter-acre lot at the west end of Main Street in Sylva, North Carolina. He paid $150.

Dr. Hooper, a resident of Webster, saw the future. While Webster was the county seat, Sylva was now located along the Western North Carolina Railroad and was quickly becoming the financial and social hub of the area. Political moves were underfoot to move the county seat to Sylva. With this in mind, Dr. Hooper purchased his property and hired a local architect and builder, Charles M. Wells, to construct a "fine, family dwelling" on the prominent site.

The house, a classic example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture, was designed from plans acquired from Sears, Roebuck & Company (which was a common practice at that time). Several existing elements within the house appear in the 1910 Sears, Roebuck catalogue, including the parlor fireplace mantel, ceramic tile hearth and cast metal screen, and original door hardware. The original roof was constructed of red metal shingles.

Dr. Hooper, with the assistance of his wife Rebecca Wilson Hooper, treated patients all across Jackson County. Many were cared for in his home. In the 1930's a one-story addition was added to provide office and laboratory space, constructed by Dr. Hooper's brother, Monroe Hooper of Tuckasegee. For 65 years, Dr. Hooper treated thousands of Jackson County residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

Both Dr. Hooper and his wife were very committed to community service. Mrs. Hooper was active in numerous women's organizations, as well as the church. Dr. Hooper served his community in many capacities including President of Sylva Rotary Club, an officer in the Shriners Club, and as the regional doctor for Southern Railroad.

Dr. Delos Dexter Hooper died June 20, 1973. The property passed from the Hooper family in 1981 and was eventually purchased by the Jackson County Governmental Unit in 1986. For the next 14 years, the house served as an annex to the public library for book storage and as a used bookstore. Unfortunately, the Hooper House fell into serious disrepair. As plans were made to expand the adjacent public library, this "fine, family dwelling" was slated for demolition.

Architectural plans were prepared and renovation construction began in July 2000. The restoration was completed in April 2002.

THIS NEW HOUSE…

On July 15, 1999, a group of concerned Jackson County residents formed the Hooper House Preservation Foundation. The foundation's primary goal was to acquire, restore and preserve the Delos Dexter Hooper House. Those lofty goals were given life on December 2, 1999 when the County of Jackson conveyed Dr. Hooper's home to the Foundation.The Hooper House, as it has now become known, was entered in The National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 2000.

The Hooper House has seen a phoenix-like rebirth. Under the Secretary of Interior Guidelines for Historic Preservation, the house has been restored from the foundation to the corbelled brick chimneys. The original red metal roof was replicated with over 3000 hand-cut pressed metal shingles. The stained glass windows in the stairwell were removed, taken apart and painstakingly cleaned and restored. Paint scrapings were analyzed and many of the original colors were replicated. Over 800 nails were removed from the walls, while 14 coats of paint were carefully removed from the exterior of the house. Every effort has been made to restore the Hooper House in a way that is consistent with the time period and with Dr. Hooper's original home. For example, 80 per-cent of the original window glass has been preserved.

The Hooper House Preservation Foundation is comprised of non-profit organizations dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Hooper's commitment of community service: The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson County Travel and Tourism Authority, and the Heritage Gallery area featuring Western Carolina University special collections and archives. The Hooper House also serves as the Jackson County Visitors Center, and provides gallery space for rotating historical and artistic exhibits and a community board room.

The cost of the historic restoration was $350,000. The majority of the money for the restoration came from grants. Approximately 30% of the money came from generous donations from private individuals. The Foundation did have to borrow money to com-plete the entire renovation. The Hooper House Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible. Your contribution would assist the Foundation in retiring this financial debt, allow our gallery to continue to showcase regional artisans, and continue to preserve this historic homes for future generations to enjoy. Thank your for your consideration!