National Register of Historic Places

East Hawley Center Historic District

Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts
Listed
July 23, 1992
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
92000951

About this property

The East Hawley Center Historic District encompasses the principal institutional center of the town of Hawley, Massachusetts, United States, with a history dating to the 1780s. Although it was settled in the late 18th century, issues with Hawley's boundaries meant that the development of a central village did not take place until later. East Hawley was developing as a local transportation hub by the mid-1820s, with several roads (mainly East Hawley Road, Plainfield Road, Ashfield Road, and Buckland Road, the latter three leading to eponymous neighboring towns) converging in the area. The establishment of a store and post office, and the relocation of the Congregational Church into the area cemented its importance in the town's civic life. There was some industrial mill activity in the area during the 19th century, but this came to an end near the end of the century, and only a mill pond remains. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The historic district occupies a small plateau in the eastern part of the hilly town, extending along Plainfield Road between Buckland Road and Ashfield Road. The northern junction is the focal point of the village, where the town's small common (laid out in 1848) and church are located. The architecture in the district is largely vernacular in character, with modest stylistic elements from late 18th to late 19th century architectural styles. The church is probably the most architecturally sophisticated building; it is Greek Revival in character and dates to the late 1840s. One unusual feature of the district is a rare 19th-century charcoal-making kiln, which is set in the woods at the western edge of the district; it is one of the reminder's of the village's modest industrial history.

Location

Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts
42.56367, -72.87817

Categories

COMMERCEAGRICULTURETRANSPORTATIONEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Charlemont Village Historic District
Listed
4.5 mi
Deerfield Valley Agricultural Society Fairgrounds
Industrial
4.7 mi
Bissell Bridge
Modern
4.8 mi
Griswold, Maj. Joseph, House
Industrial
4.8 mi
Ashfield Plain Historic District
Listed
5.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Bloody Brook MA Sept 18 1675
1675Colonial
12 mi

Questions about this property

When was East Hawley Center Historic District listed on the National Register?

East Hawley Center Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 23, 1992.

What type of historic resource is East Hawley Center Historic District?

East Hawley Center Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for East Hawley Center Historic District?

The period of significance for East Hawley Center Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near East Hawley Center Historic District?

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