Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (21) View all

Camp Hope highway entrance

  • wcu_canton-2462.jp2
  • Camp Hope was first established in 1925 when Reuben B. Robertson, president of Champion Fibre Company, donated more than a 100 acres of land to the Champion YMCA after the citizens of Haywood County fulfilled their part of the deal by building a clubhouse. The camp was named after Robertson’s wife Hope Thomson Robertson. Champion Fibre Company and the YMCA used Camp Hope regularly through the years for a variety of activities. In 1992, when the YMCA closed its doors, the camp was deeded to the Town of Canton and today the camp, now 30 acres, is open to the local community and groups by appointment. This undated photograph shows the entrance sign. Camp Hope is located 16 miles southwest of Canton off of highway 276.