About
Hope Mills is technically an incorporated area of Fayetteville, which we could label “Gray’s Creek” after the high school, but we feel that it deserves its own space. The town’s history dates back to the 1700’s when it was settled by Scottish Highlanders who capitalized on the abundance of lumber and proximity to the Little Rockfish Creek and the Cape Fear River. Sawmills, gristmills, lumber camps and pottery ovens anchored the area’s economy, and soon after, a boom in textiles introduced cotton factories and mills. In 1865, General Sherman marched right through Cumberland County and his torches destroyed most of the cotton mills, except for one. The fortuitous Bluff Mill was renamed Hope Mill, and the surrounding settlement later took the name as well.
Today, Hope Mills is a quaint town that’s removed from the hustle and bustle of Fayetteville and is preferred by many for its slower pace and quiet neighborhoods. It is close to the amenities of Fayetteville, has desirable schools, and is really close to I-95 — especially if you’re headed south. And because of an influx of military families there has been a lot of new development.
Neighbors
Many military families settle in Hope Mills. As with much of the region, the locals are friendly and welcoming to service members and you’ll find residents of all ages. The community is tight-knit and you’re very likely to have military neighbors. If you’re looking for somewhere kids can “roam” and families to rotate homes for Friday night pizza, you should probably look into Hope Mills.
Neighborhood Feel
Suburban subdivisions are mixed in among the older neighborhoods, but they all share a quiet, country feel. New developments are being built, providing the opportunity for personalized construction, more square footage, and larger yards.
