Living Jackson Magazine :: Our Towns

Our Towns – Hoschton

When the railroad turned Hoschton into a thriving center of business, the town boasted six doctors, several attorneys and three cotton gins.

The Hosch brothers—who owned a huge cotton plantation—donated land for the train depot after securing the right-of-way for the railroad. The brothers then sold lots at auction for land radiating three-quarters of a mile in every direction from the depot.

John Hosch was in the legislature, which may have helped the railroads in plotting their route.

“The lots were sold on December 21, 1881, and the depot opened in 1883,” said Ralph Freeman, grandson of Russell Angel Hosch. “The trains came through in each direction four times a day.”

The railroad, which came out of Gainesville, heading for Belmont, Monroe, Social Circle and back again, carried freight, passengers and the mail, Freeman recalled, noting that residents had mail four times a day.

Businesses opened and prospered as the Town Square across from the depot expanded, adding new buildings.

The Hosch brothers donated land for the Town Square, for a church, school and even the town cemetery.

The first public school opened in 1884 and around 1885 the first church was built. The DeLaPerriere and Brandon Corp. opened a tannery, harness and collar shop the same year.

The city incorporated in 1891, and eventually property east and west of the original circle was annexed into the new city.

Although the trains ceased running in 1947, Hoschton’s core town has remained intact. Even the current City Hall has had numerous reincarnations.

According to Freeman, the building began life as the Allen, Flanagan and McCance department store, later housed the Allen’s pharmacy and soda shop, became the post office and finally the hatchery for A.W. Thompson’s “world famous” White Rock chickens.

Allen is a familiar name in Hoschton as Dr. L.C. Allen founded the Allen Clinic and Hospital. Located at the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Peachtree Road, the circa-1913 brick house was transformed into a clinic in 1930. Now a private residence, the hospital remained open until 1954.

Mayor Bill Copenhaver noted that even newer buildings have the same kinds of facades as those built in the early years.

“We want to preserve that small town feel,” he said.

Two years ago, the council created the Hoschton Historical Commission, member Dianne Blankenship said. The commission has embarked on an ambitious project—raising funds to move the old Jim Darby building from its current location behind a church to a location near the Town Square.

Sitting in the city council’s meeting room, its walls covered with photos of the town’s historical past, Copenhaver pointed out that unlike so many old cities, Hoschton still has a real downtown—a draw for many moving to the area.

Located on Hwy. 53, a scant few miles from I-85, the approved subdivision lots could potentially boost the population from 1,500 to 3,000. And despite the boom in residential developments, residents are anxious to maintain that hometown flavor.

“We have a lot of retirees and near-retirees moving in,” Copenhaver said. “And they have the means to enjoy life.”

“Enjoying life,” means shopping, dining and taking part in the town’s yearly activities.

The town boasts numerous shops and restaurants for every taste, including a pub, ice cream parlor, interior design center and coffee shop.

The Hoschton Stampede, which takes place each September, this year attracted 130 vendors, unending entertainment and an estimated 6,000 spectators.

“We have the Art Trax in April—a juried art show,” Copenhaver said, “and a cruise night once a month in the Town Center parking lot.”

A recent cruise night, sponsored by the American Hot Rodders club, drew 100-plus antique and custom cars and an annual tractor show in October is beginning to draw fans.

Copenhaver, who has been mayor for two-and-a-half years, explained there are plans to reroute Hwy. 332, bringing it directly in front of Town Center. A state road bringing traffic through should help promote area businesses.

The trick, Copenhaver said, is to mix retail, industrial and residential development.

Calling the depot the ”centerpiece of the town,” Copenhaver talked briefly about the recent controversy surrounding the historic building.

After it was totally renovated several years ago, a suggestion arose to turn management of the building over to a private for-profit firm, rather than keep the historic building under city control. Opposition grew, as members of the Hoschton Women’s Civic Club lobbied citizens to speak out against the plan.

“People came out and signed our petition,” said club member Marty Sanborn. “We had the support of the community.”

“We were opposed to the for-profit group,” said Blankenship, also a Civic Club member. “Although we formed a foundation (to run the facility), the council voted to keep it under the city’s umbrella.”

“Now we are actively promoting it for public or private events—a meeting place, a location for small private parties,” Copenhaver said.

The parking lot surrounding the depot has been paved, a new playground built and the entire area turned into a city park.

As the city grows, it becomes essential to plan ahead, Copenhaver explained. It means developing standards and architectural guidelines for the downtown with the city planner.

“We can’t just let it happen,” he said, “Residents expect an efficient, well-run city.”

Gail Ellen Daly, a long-time reporter for the Chronicle, a daily newspaper serving northeast Connecticut, recently moved to Jackson County with her husband. They live in Apple Valley with their horses.