Hawthorne School was built in 1870 at a cost of about $19,000. Originally the site of the Old Barn School, this building was first referred to as The Number Five School (after its City Ward). It was later renamed Hawthorne School in honor of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In 1872, Hawthorne School was the first school in Bloomington to become integrated. This building served our district until 1923, when it was razed to make room for a newer, and larger elementary school. At the same time, its name was again changed, from the Nathaniel Hawthorne School to the Horatio G. Bent School, in honor of the District's long-time business manager. Hawthorne School was located on the current site of the Bent Elementary School playground on Walnut Street, between Roosevelt and Lee Streets in Bloomington.
