Star Lake is just one of the many beautiful lakes in the area. 5700-acre Lake Lochloosa is located just south of Hawthorne.

One can explore part of the area's history by taking a short drive to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historical Site. This location was used in the writing of the books "Cross Creek" and "The Yearling", which was a Pulitzer Prize winner. Another favorite destination located just outside of Gainesville is Payne's Prairie which will provide you with some breathtaking scenery and many diverse forms of wildlife. The Prairie is a wonderful place to explore its many different trails and climb the towers which are provided for viewing at different locations.

The Hawthorne Historical Museum and Cultural Center located at 7225 SE 221 St. is shown on the right. This building was originally built in 1907 and nearly all of the restoration work was done by volunteers. Jane Segal, Broker-Owner of CENTURY 21 Country Lakes Realty in Hawthorne, was responsible for obtaining grant money for the restoration of the Museum which was moved to its present location in 1997 and was finally opened on January 26,2002. Hours of the Museum are Wed. & Fri. 10-2 and Sat. & Sun. 1-4. Admission is free and the museum is just a few short blocks from the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, a 16 mile recreational greenway connecting modern Gainesville to historic Hawthorne. The trail is accessible to hikers, nature viewers, cyclists, skaters, equestrians and the physically challenged.

The city of Hawthorne started as a small settlement back around 1840 and in 1880 the town was named "Hawthorn" after an indian fighter named James M. Hawthorn. He was responsible for early growth of the town by giving land to the railroad which ran its line west of Lake Johnson and in 1881 the town was incorporated.

Through the early 1900's Hawthorne continued to grow and around 1940 the pulpwood industry became interested in the area. The Georgia Pacific Plant opened in 1982 and began its plywood manufacturing there. In 1986 Millers Shopping Center, now Hawthorne Square, was opened providing another economic boost to the area. The expansion of the economies in Ocala and Gainesville make Hawthorne a favorite for those who would like to reside in the country.

Nearby Gainesville(approximately 20 miles) offers plenty in the way of arts, entertainment and sports. The Harn Museum of Art is a great place to view art, sculpture and photography, plus, it is free. Within walking distance of this museum is the Florida Museum of Natural History which has many fine displays and some are interactive. Artists will find the many art shows, which take place at different times of the year, very appealing. With the University of Florida here in Gainesville there is always something going on while school is in session. Their sports teams have a high caliber of players and many go on to play in the pros.

Beachgoers should definitely visit Crescent Beach on the Atlantic. It is a favorite for residents of this area and vacationers as well. Just north of Crescent Beach is St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. People come from all over the world to visit the many shops and points of interest. On the Gulf Coast there is the quaint village of Cedar Key, known for its good fishing and quiet lifestyle. Hawthorne's location makes it an ideal starting off point for some of the most favorite destinations in this area. Driving to either the east coast(Atlantic) or the west coast(Gulf) takes approximately 1 hour.