The collection began when Hooper decided to display photographs of old Grand Rapids in the Michigan National Bank Window during the summer of 1944. He invited the public to bring additional photos and to help identify early views. During the succeeding two years he amassed a collection of almost 1,000 copy photographs. These copy photographs, consequently, duplicate photographs in the Library's general GRPL Photo Collection, the Fitch Collection, Merrill Collection and Johnston Collection. At the time of donation, the Hooper prints were given to the Library, while the negatives and original display plates were given to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The collection consists of 770 known images, of a set collected adn numbered by Hooper as 1 to 906. The images document the history of Grand Rapids (Mich.), from as early as 1836 to about 1940, including specific events in the city's history, such as the Water Reservoir Break in 1883 and the Flood of 1904. Dates or circa dates are given with the photos where known.

Other sources of his photos are documented in a black notebook, included in this collection. He also used other sources, including published books, which remain unidentified. Negatives, that appear to be the descriptive text from the original exhibit, are also included here.