Step into the world of William Boyd, Cambridge’s hometown cowboy who rode his way from small-town Ohio to Hollywood stardom as the legendary Hopalong Cassidy.
Born nearby in Hendrysburg, Ohio, Boyd became one of America’s most beloved Western stars, appearing on the big screen throughout the 1930s and ’40s before bringing Hoppy to television audiences in the 1950s. Today, you can follow his story right through Historic Downtown Cambridge on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail.
Discover memorabilia, murals, monuments
Along the way, discover memorabilia, murals, monuments and other reminders of the hometown boy who became a national cowboy icon.
- Start at the corner of Wheeling and Turner Avenue in Downtown Cambridge, where a colorful mural and visual exhibit share Boyd’s journey from Hendrysburg to Hollywood.
- Then head to the Guernsey County Senior Center to see the remarkable six-foot bronze statue of Hopalong Cassidy.
- Continue to the corner of Wheeling Avenue and Highland Avenue, where a monument and the Hopalong Cassidy Walk mark the site of the school Boyd once attended. It’s a fun opportunity to stand where a future Hollywood star once walked as a kid.
- Be sure to stop at the Cambridge/Guernsey County Tourist Information Center on Wheeling Avenue, where you can see additional Hopalong Cassidy memorabilia.
Hopalong Cassidy Facts
Born: June 5, 1895
Died: September 12, 1972
Married to Grace Bradley on June 5, 1937
First movie: “Why Change Your Wife,” Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, 1919
Last movie: Cameo appearance of Hoppy and Topper in “Greatest Show on Earth,” Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, 1951
First Hoppy movie: 1935
Purchased Topper, his horse, in 1937
First TV Show: June, 1949
Endorsed over 2400 products. The first was in 1948: the Aladdin Lunch Box.
Whether you’re a lifelong Western fan, a movie buff or simply curious about one of Cambridge’s most famous sons, the Hopalong Cassidy Trail offers a fun glimpse into the life of a local boy who became a legendary cowboy.
Saddle up and follow Hoppy’s trail!
For more information, Contact the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau at info@VisitGuernseyCounty.com or 740-432-2022.