The Hopkins House is located in the Historic North Hill District of Pensacola at 900 Spring Street. Original to the site, the large frame vernacular was built by J. Stormie McGaughy circa 1902 of local materials. Typical of North Hill's roots in the late 19th century Pensacola lumber boom, McGaughy was a timber inspector for a lumber exporting firm at the time of the construction, and later began his own timber inspection and shipping firm.

Arkie "Ma" Hopkins began the Hopkins House in 1949 at a location on Palafox Street, but moved to the Spring Street home two years later. The upstairs were rented out and the three first floor rooms were used as dining areas. The filling Southern style food was served family style with guests from all walks of life crowded around the tables. Hopkins House was famous for its fried chicken which was served three times a week as a part of the set menu. The Hopkins House's claim to fame, besides the fried chicken, was its celebrity clientele. Michael and Janet Jackson ate at the restaurant once, and 1965 Miss America Vonda Kay Van Dyke was there on several occasions. Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and Coach Bobby Bowden were also dinner guests, as well as numerous local politicians and community leaders.

When Ma Hopkins became ill a few years after opening the restaurant, her sister Blanche Stubbs took over until she turned over the operation to Ed Hopkins, Ma's son. Things were back to normal by the 70s when Ma resumed her post behind the cash register until her death in 1986. Ed ran the business until 2004 when he closed due to divided interests. The citizens of Pensacola were sad to see one of their favorite restaurants go, and some would even claim that Pensacola lost part of its identity with the end of the Hopkins House. A few attempts were made to revive the Southern hospitality of the Hopkins House, but they fell through and the house became a residence after over half a century as North Hill's last boarding house and Pensacola's home away from home.