Growth during the city's formative years was slow and unspectacular. On two occasions a group of Hawthorne citizens attempted to disincorporate but both these attempts failed. In November, 1929 a petition was presented to the Los Angeles City Council for an annexation election but Los Angeles was quite worried at that time about its water supply and declined any annexations. In 1934 a group forced an election for disincorporation but it was defeated. The victory was celebrated in the streets of Hawthorne by bonfires and other joyous exhibitions which were climaxed by hanging in effigy the John Does who initiated the disincorporation proceedings.

In the 1920's many streets were graded and oiled by the Oswald brothers who kept a herd of mules where the Northrop Corporation is now located to pull the plows and scrapers necessary for this work. Citizens who were affluent enough to have automobiles (there were 12 automobiles registered in 1921) can remember being stuck and asking the Oswald brothers to provide a couple of mules to pull their cars out of the mud. It is interesting to note that of these 12 car owners, seven of them owned Model T Fords which cost $260 each. Of the other five owners, one had a Stutz, one an Essex, one a Franklin, one a Marmon and one a Reo.

THE FIRST POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS

The first police department was created in 1922, consisting of four officers. One of the qualifications to secure such a job was the ability to provide a motorcycle. A group of 12 citizens created a volunteer fire department in 1922. At that time, the equipment consisted of a 1921 touring car with a ladder strapped to the side, and a back seat filled with water buckets and a garden hose. (left photo) The firemen that could not ride on the car carried wet sacks in their private cars. In 1927 the two departments were combined. In 1924, a fire hydrant system was installed. Once again the 12 charter members of the fire department appealed to the citizens for funds to purchase the first pumper unit to be in service in the city. Their original goal was to buy a fire engine, but they found that there was enough money left over to purchase a lot and build a fire station. This lot and station were deeded to the city. At the time to new station was opened, two full time firemen were hired as part of the police department.

HAWTHORNE POLICE RESERVE

This organization was incorporated in 1950 and is composed of 50 to 60 active reservists, 21 years and over. Many of them are businessmen of the community. The police reserve maintains a rigorous training schedule and is required to achieve standards equal to those of the police department. Officers are a chief, a coordinator and various sergeants. The Hawthorne Police Reserve gave the training program at the 1972 National Convention in Texas.