HAW – Hawthorne Building
- LOCATION: 48 & O Streets
- 1913-1927: Building of frame construction
- 1927-Present: Current brick building
- 1952: Additions made to expand the building
- 2011: Internal renovations
- IN OPERATION: 1913-Present
Some former Hawthorne students before the old Hawthorne school was torn down in the 1950s. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE SERVICES
The now intersection of 48th & O Streets in central Lincoln was originally the home of the “Jordan Mixed School” from 1889-1892.
Later, Hawthorne Elementary School was in session at the location from 1913-2008. The original Hawthorne Elementary was a four-room, wood framed stucco building on the southwest corner of 48th and O streets, approximately where PetCo stands today. There were two rooms used as classrooms, and the other two rooms could be opened into a larger space for performances. The attic of the building was large enough to be able to hold “manual training” and “domestic science” classes. The school was named for Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), an American novelist and diplomat. It was served by three teachers and principal A.E. McCrystal.
Upon construction of the current brick building the stucco building became a church. Later, Nesbitt Bottling Co. took over that building and painted it orange. In the 1950s, it was torn down.
The West face of the Hawthorne building which opened in 1927.
The current two-story brick and stone Hawthorne building was designed by Lincoln architects Davis and Wilson in a Colonial-Revival style. It opened in 1927.
The LPS Board of Education closed Hawthorne Elementary in 2008. Students living in the Hawthorne district were assigned either to Randolph or Eastridge elementary schools.
Since a renovation in 2011 the Hawthorne building has been the home of the Bryan Community Focus Program, as well as the LPS Special Education and Early Childhood Programs.
