Welcome to Hawthorne Place!

Hawthorne Place Neighborhood is a historic neighborhood in Springfield, IL that encompasses Whittier, Lowell and Holmes Streets between South Grand and Laurel Ave.

Hawthorne Place was established in 1902.  It was Springfield’s first planned subdivision offering paved streets, walkways, gas, electricity, street gutters, sewage, and shade trees on every lot. It was built in proximity to the recently opened Washington Park.  A streetcar even journeyed into the center along Cedar, offering easy transport to the downtown.  

It was plotted to include just six blocks and was referred to as the Poet’s Corner of Springfield. The subdivision is named for Nathaniel Hawthorne and the three main streets are in recognition of John Greenleaf Whittier, James Russel Lowell and Oliver Wendall Holmes.  

Over the next 20 years, after it was established, this neighborhood would feature a variety of housing styles.  Do you notice the diversity?  You will see features and elements shared with Post-Colonial, Tudor, American Four Square, Cottage, Arts and Crafts, and Post-Victorian homes. And you will also notice almost every house has a front porch. It is a neighborhood that looks out onto the world.

Take a walk at Hawthorne Place!  We welcome you!