noun, adverb
once; some time ago; at one time
Refers to a period in the past, often implying that the situation has since changed. Used both as a noun and adverbially.
ひところはこの町も賑やかだった。
At one time, this town was lively too.
ひところに比べると、今はだいぶ落ち着い
Compared to some time ago, things have calmed down a lot now.
かつて is more formal and often used in written language or historical contexts, while ひところ is conversational and emphasizes a past period that contrasts with the present.
以前 simply means 'before' or 'previously' and is neutral about change; ひところ implies a distinct past phase that is no longer the case.
Compound of 一 (hito, 'one') and 頃 (koro, 'time, period'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used since at least the Edo period to refer to a certain past time.