After World War II in 1946, Ed Hoppes began to see a need for good housing at a reasonable price for the working class family. He began to build houses on scattered sites in Springfield as he had orders for them. In 1952 he formed his company, Hoppes Builders and Development Co., and started his first subdivision called Harding Heights, at the northwestern edge of Springfield. While the 112 lots of Harding Heights were being built upon, Ed began purchasing ground for his next subdivision, Home Orchard, consisting of 358 homesites at the northern edge of Springfield. Meanwhile, with an eye to the future, Ed purchased 7 farms totaling 750 Acres 2 miles north of Springfield. This would become Northridge. Here he planned for churches, schools, fire station, playgrounds, a shopping center and places for social groups to meet. Northridge now houses more than 2500 families. With Northridge nearing completion, the 200 acre Simon Kenton Farm was purchased in mid-1997.

While Northridge was growing at a feverish pace, Ed’s son, Terry, began working with the framing crew in the summers while he attended high school and college. After college at Ohio State University, Terry pursued his career in surveying and civil engineering, and he instituted his own company in 1977. Immediately, he took over all the surveying tasks for Hoppes Builders and Development Co.

Another son of Ed’s, Jeff, joined the company in 1979 working on the finish carpentry crew. When the company saw a need for a new superintendent in 1985, Jeff took on that responsibility. He continues in that capacity today.

In 1981 at age 65, Ed decided that he wanted to become less involved in the day to day operations and that Terry should become the president of Hoppes Builders and Development Co. Terry ably fills this position along with directing his own surveying company.

In 1995, Terry’s daughter, Amanda was added to staff, bringing the involved family members to four, covering 3 generations. Amanda adds her degree in marketing and her computer expertise to the company.

Hoppes Builders and Development Co. continues to thrive in Clark County, Ohio as a family-directed business, as it has for over 60 years.