John Henry Willis Hawkins (1855-1923), Architect
DBA: J. H. W. Hawkins
Born in Glen Falls, New York to Rev. William G. and Narcissa Hawkins in 1855, John H. W. Hawkins was the grandson and namesake of a leading temperance crusader.[20][21][a] The architect J. H. W. Hawkins was educated at Cornell University, graduating in 1877. By 1878, he was advertising as an architect in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, carrying out a a very active practice there through 1885. While in Wilkes-Barre, he married Mary Murray in 1881. Hawkins came to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1886, where his father was an Episcopal minister. The architect opened an Omaha office by 1890 but probably resided in Lincoln until 1891. He left Omaha to return to Wilkes-Barre for another brief but productive spell from about 1895 to 1902. He completed his career with two decades of practice in Jacksonville, Florida from 1902 through 1922. He died in Denver, Colorado on February 17, 1923.[10][22][27][d]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1886-1890
Omaha, Nebraska, 1890-1894
Educational & Professional Associations
1874-1877: Cornell University, architecture degree.[24]
1878-1885: architect, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[11]23]
1886-1890: architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.[16][25][26][b]
1890-1894: architect, surveyor, and superintendent, Omaha, Nebraska.[c]
1895-1902: architect, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[12]
1902-1922: architect, Jacksonville, Florida.[13][14][18]
1923: died, Denver, Colorado.[10]]
Buildings & Projects
1878-1885, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Hawkins quickly established himself as an architect in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with commissions including the high school, commercial buildings, a church and residences.
Project "for erecting an arch at the corner of Market and River streets" (1878), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[31]
Band pavilion "on the Common on the river bank" (1878), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[32]
High School (1880-1881), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[33][44][g]
Ella G. Turner house (1881-1882), Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[34][38][41][44][h]
Block of stores for J. B. Wood (1882), South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[35][38][44]
Block of dwellings for H. S. Rutter (1882), River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[35][38][41]
German Reform Church (1882), Plymouth, Pennsylvania.[35]
"A large summer hotel in the west" (1882).[35]
"A new residence for a gentleman" (1882), West Pittston, Pennsylvania.[35]
Brick block for A. B. Brown (1882), Pittston, Pennsylvania.[36][44]
Chapel for First Presbyterian Church (1882), Saint Clement and Lockhart Streets, South Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[37][39][41]
Smaller house for Mrs. Ella G. Turner (1882), South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[38][41][h]
Wilkes-Barre Female Seminary (1882), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[38][41]
T. H. Atherton house (1882), South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[38][41][44]
Three-story brick store and dwelling for M. H. Post (1882), West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[38]
New roof for Luzerne County Prison (1882), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[39][41]
Brick Sunday School building for Memorial Church (1882), North Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[39][41]
Alterations to S. L. Brown's store (1883), south side of the Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[40][44][i]
Three-story brick building for Union Leader/J. K. Bogert (1883-1884), North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[42][43][44]
Public school building (1884 or before), Pittston, Pennsylvania.[44]
Public school building (1884 or before), Forty Fort, Pennsylvania.[44]
Public school building (1884 or before), Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania.[44]
L. C. Paine store (1884 or before), Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
R. J. Flick block (1884 or before), South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
A. T. McClintock block (1884 or before), Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
Benjamin Reynolds residence (1884 or before), River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
A. J. Dietrick residence (1884 or before), Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
H. H. Derr residence (1884 or before), River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
S. W. Townsend residence (1884 or before), Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
W. G. Carpenter residence (1884 or before), Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
William Puckey residence (1884 or before), Jackson Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
G. S. Ferris residence (1884 or before), West Pittston, Pennsylvania.[44]
Palmer Steele residence (1884 or before), West Pittston, Pennsylvania.[44]
Albert Lewis cottage (1884 or before), Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.[44]
W. J. Harvey cottage (1884 or before), Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.[44]
George Smith cottage (1884 or before), Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.[[#References[44]]]
Andrew Hunlock cottage (1884 or before), Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania.[44]
L. C. Paine cottage (1884 or before), Glen Summit, Pennsylvania.[44]
Jewish Synagogue (1884 or before), Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[44]
Grace Chapel (1884 or before), Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.[44]
Chapel (1884 or before), Alden, Pennsylvania.[44]
Top Knot House (1884 or before), Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.[44]
Design for a Casino (1884), South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[45]
1886-1890, Lincoln, Nebraska
Hawkins removed to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1886, and to Omaha around 1890.
George Warren Smith Building (1880), 1213-15 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[7][8] (DO09:0123-026)
Imhoff house (1880s), Lincoln, Nebraska.[5]
J. D. McFarland house (1880s), Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][5][16][17]
Receiving Vault (1886), Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3]
Albert Watkins House (1887), 920 D St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7] (LC13:C07-791)
John H. W. and Mary Hawkins House (1887-1889), NE corner of S 20th & Washington, Lincoln, Nebraska.[27][28][d]
Judge W. H. Morris house (1887-1888), 1039 Forest, Crete, Nebraska.[1][7] (SA01-006)
Old Nebraska Hall (1887-1888), 11th & T, University of Nebraska City Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4] Demolished, 1961.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1888), 1200 J St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][16] Demolished. (LC13:C08-320)
Brownell Hall Chapel - Dietz United Methodist Church (1888), 1423 S 10th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[6]
St Matthias Episcopal Church (1888-1889), 1423 S 10th, Omaha, Nebraska.[3][7][8][16][17] (DO09:0115-003) National Register narrative
Palace Livery Stable (ca. 1889), 1121 M St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][2]
R. O. Phillips house (1889-1890), 1845 D St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][16] (LC13:D07-0042)
George Smith house (1890), west side 12th between I & F Streets, Geneva, Nebraska. (FM05-031)
1890-1894, Omaha, Nebraska
Hawkins removed to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1886, and to Omaha around 1890.
Trinity Hall for Worthington Military Academy, (1891), Lincoln, Nebraska.[16][19]
Brown-Scott House (ca. 1891), 219-221 S 27th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7] (LC13:D08-490)
Callahan Block - Mid-City Music (1892), 321 N 16th, Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0125-005)
Design for Hotel Blakely (1892), Beatrice, Nebraska.[29][e]
Hotel (1892), Main and Shine, Deadwood, South Dakota.[30][f]
Guy C. Barton house (ca. 1892), 38th & Cuming, Omaha, Nebraska.[16]
Herman Kountze house (ca. 1892), South 10th, Omaha, Nebraska.[16]
W. R. Matthews House (ca. 1892), 802 Worthington St., Omaha, Nebraska (DO09:0064-002) (Attribution questioned in NeHBS)
1895-1902, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Due to the difficult financial situation of the times, Hawkins left Omaha ca. 1894 and returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Max Roth Center (1895), 215 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[12]
Hotel Sterling (1897), 47-65 West Market, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[12]
1902-1922, Jacksonville, Florida
In 1902, following a major fire that destroyed much of Jacksonville, Florida, Hawkins moved to Jacksonville and opened an office there, where he finished his career.
Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (1902-1903), 226 North Laura St, Jacksonville, Florida.[15]
Undated
Industrial College (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[16]
J. H. W. Hawkins house (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][17]
Montgomery & Billingsby Building (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][17]
Country Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17]
Notes
a. Rev. William George Hawkins, the father of the architect, published a biography of his father John H. W. Hawkins (1798-1858), focusing on his struggles with alcohol and his conversion to become a temperance crusader.[20][21]
b. In March 1886, a newspaper in Lincoln, Nebraska noted that "J. H. W. Hawkins, an architect of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and son of Rev. W. G. Hawkins of this city, has decided to locate in Lincoln, and will probably be ready for business by April 1st." Another paper announced his office location in Richards' block and noted "Mr. Hawkins is a graduate of Cornell university, New York, and a quiet unassuming gentleman who desires the evidence of his work to be his best recommendation."[25][26]
c. In 1890 Hawkins was included in both the Lincoln and Omaha city directories, with office addresses listed in both but a residential address (1431 S. 20th) only in Lincoln--at the large house he had designed and built just a few years before. He continued to be listed in both directories in 1891, with his residential address still listed in Lincoln (without an office address, and without mention among "Architects" in the business section of the Lincoln directory). In the Omaha volume for 1891, for Hawkins only an office address and no residence is mentioned. It appears that his transition between the cities was gradual, and that he probably maintained his Lincoln residence until 1891 or so.
By 1892, Hawkins is not listed in Lincoln, while the Omaha directories for 1892 and 1893 list both office and residential addresses for him, suggesting strongly that his relocation to Omaha was by then complete. 1894 was the last year Hawkins appeared in a Nebraska directory--in Omaha.
d. The Hawkins' own house in Lincoln was under construction by mid-1887 and the 1888 city directory indicates they were already in residence, although mechanics' liens also suggest work on the house continued into 1889. Those seven mechanics' liens filed against the property suggest the Hawkins were stressed financially by the project, at least until they sold the property for $26,000 in value September 29, 1891, discharging the final three liens on that same day. The date of the sale aligns well with the fact Lincoln city directories continued to list the family at that address through 1891, although Hawkins had an architectural office in Omaha by 1890.[27][28]
e. The (Omaha) World-Herald of July 21, 1892 reports: "The perspective of J. H. W. Hawkins of Omaha for the Hotel Blakeley at Beatrice, Neb., has just been accepted by a syndicate of capitalists headed by Mr. Blakely of that city. The cost will be $65,000."[29]
f. The Sunday (Omaha) World-Herald of August 14, 1892 reports that after a failed project build a hotel in Deadwood, a new stock company of investors formed and "Mr. J. H. W. Hawkins, an architect of Omaha, was invited to prepare drawings, and on the formation of the company was instructed to go ahead with the work." The article goes on to describe a five-story sandstone building with frontages of 140 and 100 feet, to be completed by June 1, 1893.[30]
g. Hawkins proposed a ten room school house to the board of the Third School District of Wilkes-Barre in October 1880, with mention that "the two [rooms] on the third floor would be suitable for the High School." The plans were accepted in November, with a lengthy description in the local newspaper including that "The style is that of Queen Anne." A board committee was appointed in December 1880 to examine Hawkins' plans and specifications "with a view to recommending to the Board such alterations as shall cheapen the cost of constructing the building." Later that month bids were sought from contractors and one was chosen by January 1881, when a bill from Hawkins for $230 was approved. Newspaper reports make it clear that Hawkins remained involved throughout construction, and was paid another $250 later in 1881. Dedication of the "new and commodious high school building on Washington Street" was reported in December 1881. A dispute over Hawkins' bill and his performance relative to his contract came before the school board in February 1882. A vignette illustrating the Wilkes-Barre High School is included in a panoramic view of the city published in 1889. See Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Boston: Fowler, Downs & Moyer, 1881, accessed December 8, 2017 at Library of Congress, "American Memory," http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3824w.pm008720
h. Ella Turner's house was described as "Three-story brick and stone dwelling house on South street, size, 40x60 feet. A handsome building with French roof, all modern improvements, steam heated, etc. J. H. Hawkins, architect, W. H. Shepard, builder."[38] Hawkins designed a smaller house for Mrs. Turner on South Franklin Street and was further credited with the design of a "Fancy brick stable in the rear of the residence on South Franklin street" for Mrs. Turner, "size 34x42."[39][41]
i. A lengthy and effusive description of the remodeled store mentions that "Mr. J. H. W. Hawkins was the architect for the alterations of the building" and that the third story will be occupied by "Mr. Hawkins, the architect."[40]
References
1. Pen & Sunlight Sketches of Omaha and Environs. (Chicago: Phoenix Publishing Company, 1892), 87. 978.238 P37
2. Pen & Sunlight Sketches of Lincoln: Its Growth, Resources, Commerce, Manufactures. (Chicago: Phoenix Publishing Company, [1893?]) 978.265 P37
3. Minutes of the Board of Trustees, Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska, October 2, 1886; copy in Nebraska State Historical Society, historic preservation division, architects file.
4. Kay Logan-Peters, “Nebraska Hall (Old),” An Architectural Tour of Historic UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, UNL Libraries, 2005). Accessed January 15, 2015. http://historicbuildings.unl.edu/building.php?b=8
5. “Architects in Nebraska to be Covered in Our Survey,” WPA Writers Project, Nebraska State Historical Society Collections, RG515, subject 611.
6. Landmarks, Inc. An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980), 44.
7. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
8. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.
9. Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS NE-35-6. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, accessed April 9, 2013, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/ne0028/
10. [Obituary], Pittston (Pennsylvania) Gazette (March 9, 1923): 12. Accessed May 7, 2016. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1403667/obituary_for_j_h_w_hawkins/
11. “J. H. W. Hawkins, Architect,” (Adv) The Wilkes-Barre Record (September 11, 1884): 2. (This is a list of buildings by Hawkins in and around Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.) Accessed May 7, 2016. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1403397/buildings_in_and_around_wilkesbarre_by/
12. “Walk Wilkes-Barre, Celebrating Wilkes-Barre’s Bicentennial: 1806-2006. A Self-guided tour of the historic center of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.” [ca. 2006]. Accessed May 7, 2016. http://wbdcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Walk-WB-2007-website.pdf
13. “Signed Note 1902 J.H.W. Hawkins Letterhead Architect Jacksonville Florida RARE.” WorthPoint Website. (Hawkins is described as newly-arrived from New York.) Accessed May 7, 2016. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/signed-note-1902-h-hawkins-letterhead-536732601
14. “A Century of Fellowship – AIA Florida History,” AIA Florida, 2016. (Hawkins was in attendance at the state convention to establish the Florida Association of Architects, held in Jacksonville, December 14, 1912.) Accessed May 7, 2016. http://www.aiafla.org/About-the-AIA_History.cfm
15. “Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church – Jacksonville, FL,” Wikipedia Entries on Waymarking.com. Accessed May 7, 2016. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMJJ7E_Snyder_Memorial_Methodist_Episcopal_Church_Jacksonville_FL
16. Historical and Descriptive Review of Omaha (Omaha: John Letham, [1892?]): 108.
17. Examples of Architecture by J. H. W. Hawkins, Architect. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania [brochure, n. d.]. Photo copies of pages with Nebraska buildings courtesy of Michael J. Lewis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1988; original at Wyoming Historical and Geological Society [New York].
18. Mrs. (H. V. S) E. H. Smith to Mr. K.K. Hoyt. Paonia, Colorado. December 26, 1923. From photocopy of a letter provided by Wyoming Historical and Genealogical Society.
19. "Square, Level and Plumb. The Corner Stone of Trinity Hall. Another Educational Institution will Soon Crown a Suburban Height," Weekly (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (June 12, 1891), 8.
20. Life of John H. W. Hawkins, Compiled by his son, Rev. William George Hawkins, A.M., Boston: Briggs & Richards, 1862. Accessed December 6, 2017 on-line at https://archive.org/details/LifeOfJohnHHawkins
21. Ancestry.com 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. SV for father--William George Hocking.
22. Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (April 20, 1881), 4.
23. Advertisement for J. H. W. Hawkins, Architect, in Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (March 19, 1878), 3.
24. "Obituary: John H. W. Hawkins '77," Cornell Alumni News(March 15, 1923), 297. Accessed on-line December 6, 2017 at http://hdl.handle.net/1813/26676
25. (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 13, 1886), 8.
26. "J. H. W. Hawkins, an architect from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has arrived in the city..." Lincoln (Nebraska) Evening Call (March 26, 1886), 4.
27. Lancaster County (Nebraska) Register of Deeds: purchase of Lots 7-9, Block 4, Pleasant Hill Sub. (Deed 39:116, June 2, 1887, $2700); Mechanics Liens C:616 (carpentry work between July 1887-Feb. 1888, with full transcript of contract), D:25, D:45, E:3, E:320 (ironwork between Jun 1887-July 1889), E:348; sale of property (Deed 63:348, September 29, 1891, for $18,000 cash plus assuming $8,000 mortgage).
28. Examples of Architecture by J. H. W. Hawkins, Architect, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. n.d; photocopy at Lincoln/Lancaster Planning Dept., courtesy of Wyoming Historical and Geological Society (Wilkes-Barre, PA).
29. "Real Estate Notes. Activity in Building--Some of the Late Permits," Evening World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska) (July 21, 1892), 2.
30. "Deadwoods Hotel. After Trouble and Travail It Is Now Sure of Completion," Sunday World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska) (August 14, 1892), 6.
31. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Record of the Times (June 7, 1878), 4; Union Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (July 11, 1878), 3.
32. The Luzerne Union (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (July 17, 1878), 3.
33. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Record of the Times (Oct. 7, 1880), 4; (November 17, 1880), 4; Union Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (December 8, 1880), 4; (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Record of the Times (December 23, 1880), 2; (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Record of the Times (January 18, 1881), 4; Union Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (March 22, 1881), 4; Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (December 22, 1881), 4; Daily Union-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (February 7, 1882), 4.
34. Daily Union-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (January 6, 1882).
35. "Building Operations," Daily Union-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (January 28, 1882), 4.
36. "Notice to Building Contractors," Daily Union-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) (August 2, 1882), 4.
37. "New Presbyterian Chapel," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (September 23, 1882), 4.
38. "Bricks and Mortar. Their Work in this City. A Full and Complete List of all the Buildings Finished in 1882, or now in Course of Erection--March of Progress--An Enormous Total," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (January 2, 1883), 1.
39. "Work of the Builders. Other Residences, Stores, etc. Erected During 1882--A Vast Outlay," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (January 4, 1883), 4.
40. "A Beautiful Store. Mr. S. L. Brown's Dainty Little Place on the South Side of Public Square," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (March 22, 1883), 4.
41. "Growing Wilkes-Barre. New Residences and Business Places of the Past year. A Very Remarkable Showing," (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Sunday News (April 2, 1883), 5.
42. "Builders' Work. The list of 1883's work continued--More Still to Come," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania)Record (January 2, 1884), 4.
43. Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Telephone (December 1, 1883), 3; "Council Meeting," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (December 5, 1883), 4; "Local Affairs. Brief Mention," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (January 3, 1884), 1.
44. Advertisement for "J. H. W. Hawkins, Architect, Office 7 North Main street, Union Leader Building, and Superintendent of...[list of 33 projects]", Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (July 31, 1884), 3.
45. "A drawing of the new Casino to be erected on South Main street, from the pen of Architect Hawkins, is on exhibition in the window of Voorhis & Murray," Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record (September 18, 1884), 1.
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. Zimmer, “John Henry Willis Hawkins (1855-1923), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, December 9, 2017. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 2024.
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