How the Mt. Hawley name came to Peoria: Pioneer's wishful thinking led to a fanciful name

Ask Dean is a Journal Star column focusing on all things Peoria: its history, mysteries, quirks and culture. Send your questions to dmuellerleile@pjstar.com.

Question: What was Mt. Hawley? Why do several businesses carry the name? — Barb Sibila

Answer: The "Mt. Hawley" moniker graces everything from a cemetery to an airport, a church and a country club. In the past, it was the place name of a speedway, a popular restaurant and other enterprises. Even earlier, it was the name of a rural inn hosting "grand balls" attended by prominent Peorians.

Most of those locations are and were near north Knoxville Avenue, off of which a Mt. Hawley Road remains.

But many wonder, "Who was Hawley?" and, "Where is the mount?"

More history: Tavern in a cavern: Unearthing the history of a popular Peoria attraction

Origins and speculation

The Mt. Hawley place name can be traced back to the 1800s, when a rural post office and cemetery bore that moniker.

Many early Peoria County residents shared the Hawley surname.

As for the "Mt.," speculation abounds, and varies wildly. Among the more fanciful notions posted on social media:

• An early Hawley's first name was Montgomery, which was abbreviated to "Mt."

• The area is among the highest points in Peoria County.

• A Hawley family farm was near a stagecoach stop, where riders would "mount" the coach. Again, abbreviation occurred.

The true story might be as colorful as the legends. The likeliest answer appears to lie in an early settler's wishful thinking.

From the archives

A yellowed, laminated clipping on file at the Peoria Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room offers the most comprehensive account of the Mt. Hawley mystery.

The nearly century-old newspaper article reflects on the almost two-century-old origin of the Mt. Hawley place name.

The 1929 Peoria Star story is headlined, "Descendants of Pioneers Plan Perpetual Care, Mt. Hawley Cemetery."

The article recounts the early settlement of the state of Illinois, when "many men and women of sterling character made homesteads on the virgin prairie and timber lands surrounding what has become known as 'Mt. Hawley' in history, romance and tradition."

The story states conclusively, "Mt. Hawley derived its name from its earliest settler and its peculiar situation."

But even 90 years ago, the "Mt." designation was addressed with some gentle derision. "It does take some imagination to locate a mountain on the site of this historic location," the story reads.

Nevertheless, the article adds, "Mr. Truman Hawley, being from the mountainous state of Vermont, wanted a 'mountain.'" He agreed to a compromise, and accepted "mount" as a designation, the story says, adding the abbreviated name "is being passed on in history and will ever endure."

And endure it has.

So, who was Truman Hawley?

The 1929 article says Truman Hawley and his wife, Betsey Younglove, settled on the tract of land now known as Mt. Hawley in 1835. They had five children, including son Aaron.

The book "Illinois Place Names," published by the Illinois State Historical Society, lists a "Mount Hawley" post office established and closed three different times from 1837 to 1865. It does not identify any postmasters. But a Journal Star column from 1956 adds some detail on the settlement it calls "Mt. Hawley" and its post office: "Apparently named for the Hawley family, two of whose members — Truman Hawley and Aaron Hawley — were postmasters for 20 years."

Mt. Hawley Cemetery

The 1929 article says the land that is now Mt. Hawley Cemetery was originally owned by David Hanson, who sold it to settlers of the community to be used as a burial ground. The "beautiful plot of ground" was near the Hawley homestead, 9 miles north of Peoria. Over time, the graveyard was expanded to the "Mt. Hawley hard road." A document from the Peoria County Genealogical Society lists 20 Hawleys buried in the cemetery, including Truman, Betsey and Aaron.

'Grand balls' and entertainments

In the 1850s, the story says, John and Lydia Holmes "became possessors of the ... Hawley estate, original log cabin, post office, etc." The couple "began where the Hawley's left off. They served the public and the wayfarer with hospitality and good cheer for many years."

One early enterprise was Mt. Hawley House. "Numerous grand balls and entertainments were held within its spacious walls," the article says. The inn "received and entertained many prominent Peorians and others in its day."

Mt. Hawley today

The Mt. Hawley moniker has endured with the passage of time. In addition to the cemetery, airport, church and country club, there is a bowling alley, insurance company and mobile home park. Minus the "Mt.," there is a Hawley Hills subdivision.

On social media

Mt. Hawley remains a popular topic on the Memories of Peoria and Retro Peoria Facebook pages.

Whether it's a person, place or product, send your "Whatever happened to ...?" and "Wasn't there a ...?" questions, comments and suggestions to dmuellerleile@pjstar.com. Please put ASK DEAN in the subject line.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: How Mt. Hawley became a prominent place name in Peoria, IL