Hopetoun eventually grew from Lake Corrong Station Run which was established by the district's first settler, Pete McGinnis, in 1846.  The Lake
Corrong Station Homestead was built by McGinnis in the same year, for his wife Rose,  his family of seven children and their adopted Aboriginal boy, Jowley, known as Black Peter.

The original Lake Corrong Homestead has been  relocated into McGinnis Park in the township of Hopetoun.
Jowley's commemorative headstone is set in a limestone boulder at the local cemetery.

Mr Edward Harewood Lascelles and partner purchase the lease and titles of the successful Lake Corrong property in 1878.

Lascelles who has become known as the "Father of the Mallee" continued to develop the run and expand his holdings.  Prior to settling in
Hopetoun, Mr Lascelles worked with his uncle in the Denny-Lascelles Wool Broking firm in Geelong.  With his background he could see great
potential for a sheep-wheat industry in the Mallee.  With vision and energy he brought about vermin control, nurtured settlers, developed a water
supply and railway and founded the Shire of  Karkarooc.