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Hawley, MN
Hawley, Minnesota, a small town in Clay County along the Buffalo River, was established in the early 1870s with the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway. Initially undergoing six rapid name changes, it was permanently named in 1872 after Thomas Hawley Canfield, a railway officer who helped lay out the town. The railroad's presence spurred growth, making Hawley an agricultural hub due to its fertile lands and strategic location at the intersection of U.S. Route 10 and the Burlington Northern Railroad, 22 miles east of Fargo-Moorhead.
In 1876, General George Custer visited, an event later highlighted in WCCO Television’s 1976 short film Incident at Hawley during America’s bicentennial. The town also saw a colony of immigrants from Yeovil, Somerset, including Elisabeth Chant, who became a noted painter in Minneapolis. By the late 19th century, Hawley was a thriving community with a strong agricultural base.
A significant cultural milestone occurred in the 1970s when Robert Asp began constructing the Viking ship Hjemkomst in a former potato warehouse, renamed Hawley Shipyard. Completed in 1982, the ship sailed from Duluth to Bergen, Norway, earning Hawley a place in maritime history. A monument to Asp stands in Bob Asp Park.
Hawley’s population grew steadily, reaching 2,219 by the 2020 census. The town maintains a small-town charm with modern amenities, including five parks, the Hawley Golf & Country Club, and the annual Rodeo Fest. In 2007, Hawley launched the “Hawley Would” campaign, a playful nod to Hollywood, emphasizing its community spirit and proximity to urban centers. Named a 2024 Best Managed Town by Business View Magazine, Hawley remains a family-friendly, vibrant community with deep historical roots and a forward-looking identity.
