The Town That Packed Up And Left Town-Part 3

The first Spring Hope Community remained in it's original location from 1840 until 1887. The stage coach line closed down around theconclusion of the War Between the States. The closest thing I could find in the way of documented drama  was when one winter night the stage pulled in but the driver, having failed to come in for dinner, was found frozen to death in his seat. The horses had found their own way to the inn. For the most part, the little community was blessed with a boring existence: no Indian or Yankee massacres; no deadly tornadoes or epidemics and no famous shoot outs.

In 1887 the bulk of the business leaders packed up and followed the the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company to a brand new location just a little over four miles up the road. The company bosses wanted a town situated  directly between Rocky Mount and Raleigh to complement a planned depot. With the stage line defunct, it was easy to arrange a relocation for the post office as well. Upon incorporation it was decided the new town would also take the name Spring Hope. Naturally the old village became known as Old Spring Hope.

Here are a few close up photos of the old store, showing clearly why it will not be around for many more years: