Discover the
Story of Hooper
From its early exploration by frontiersman in the 1840s to a visit by a U.S. President in 1982, and its incorporation as a city in 2000, Hooper carries a rich history. It combines rural, small-town charm with a deep respect for the past, and invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy its natural beauty and city traditions. Just make sure to watch out for the mosquitos!
Hooper Through the Years
1843
Hooper was first discovered by explorers and frontiersmen John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, and others as they passed down the Weber River in rubber boats on their way to explore the Great Salt Lake and Fremont Island (named after John C. Fremont).
1854
The first building in Hooper (then called “Muskrat Springs”) was constructed by Captain William H. Hooper. During the pioneer days of Utah, Hooper was used as a place to run cattle. The first building was a two-story adobe shelter Captain Hooper built for his herdsman and is located near Hale’s Bend. *A monument erected by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers now stands near the location of the original herd house at approximately 1926 N 5600 W, Hooper, UT 84315.
1863
Hooper’s first business was started by James Hale. He built two dugouts on the shores of the Great Salt Lake and gathered salt to sell in evaporated sloughs.
Unknown Date
Muskrat Springs became Hooperville and then Hooper in honor of Captain Hooper’s achievements and ties to the area. Captain Hooper was Utah’s delegate in the US Congress while Utah was seeking statehood. Though many out-of-towners pronounce Hooper with a long o (like in “hoop” or “loop”), the double o makes the sound it does in “book” or “look” because that’s how Captain Hooper pronounced his last name. (Locals jokingly explain that “it’s pronounced ‘hooker’ but with a ‘p.’”)
1876
The herds of cows were moved out as many settlers moved to Hooper, including Belnaps, Hulls, Reads, Parkers, and Coxes, many of whom have descendants still living in Hooper.
1925
Hooper’s first annual Tomato Days celebration. Tomato Days was originally done to celebrate the harvest of the tomatoes grown by local residents, but now includes horse shows, rodeos, pageants, parades, vendor booths, food, fireworks, dog races, a cow drop, and more!
1982
President Ronald Reagan visited Hooper on September 10, 1982 to speak at a Utah Republican Party picnic. Why Hooper? It’s believe that Hooper was one of the easier towns to secure at the time, since there was only one main road in and out.
1997
After years of discussion about whether or not Hooper should incorporate, Hooper became a township. It was soon realized that a township had no official power, and plans were made to incorporate.
November 30, 2000
Hooper city was incorporated and had a population of approximately 4,712 people at the time of incorporation (4,085 in the 2000 census). The first mayor and 7-person city council came to be.
2010
By 2010, the population had grown to 6,932.
2020
By 2020, the population had grown to 9,087.
Fun Facts
Fremont Island is included in Hooper's city boundaries
The city is 11.7 square miles
Hooper’s first crops were sugar cane and corn. Alfalfa and fruit trees soon followed
Tomato Days, Hooper’s annual city celebration, takes place every year over Labor Day
weekend
Because Hooper was named after William H. Hooper, it’s pronounced the way he said his last
name
Hooper Elementary’s mascot is the Mustang
This history of Hooper was written by Annie Foster.
Information on this page was provided by:
Allen, Tracy. Hooper City General Plan. Comp. Marie Haws/Beacher. N.p.: J-U-B Engineers 2001. Print.
Haws/Beacher, Marie, Howard Widdision, Marion Arave, Alice Beus, Grace Parker, Elnora Widdison, Ilah Giles, Floyd Fowers, Ruth Dawson, Vern Parker, Josephine Simpson, Charlene Simpson, Ann Christopherson, Colleen Tippets, LeGrande Belnap, John & Fay Beus, and Beth Arnold. A Bicentennial History 1979. N.p.:n.p.,1976. Print.