There are no records available as to the exact date that the Chamber of Commerce was organized. A 1916 booklet on the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce Constitution and By-Laws reveals that W.M. Dudley was the President that year, Dr. G.H. Hayes was the first Vice President, C.C. Butler was the Second Vice President, and A.H. Smithers was Secretary. The telephone number was 42. Forty-two charter members were listed, including several ladies.

On three occasions, the last being in 1955, the Chamber was liquidated because of lack of sufficient funds to maintain the many projects devoted to public service and pay a full time manager and office secretary. The present Chamber was reorganized in 1959 with the help of the city, and spends one third of its funds for maps, pamphlets, and other public information projects. Since the organization has operated on a solid financial basis, over 400 business firms are now members and pay annual dues based on the number of employees.

In spite of the vicissitudes encountered through the years, the Chamber of Commerce has a splendid record of achievement. When the 1915 street bonds were liquidated, the Chamber spearheaded a large celebration for this event. The list of objectives over the years includes welcome calls on new businessmen, installation of benches for bus passengers, a program to repair holes and obstructions on the sidewalks, traffic surveys, and several programs aimed at helping young people select careers. In these programs many industries have cooperated in seminars at the high schools where experts from all branches of employment have given guidance to students on necessary education to qualify for specific jobs. Annual Christmas programs have been promoted, with Santa Claus coming in by helicopter and distributing free candy and balloons to children. During Christmas season trams were provided to facilitate shopping along Hawthorne Boulevard, operating on regular schedule from Imperial Highway to Rosecrans at no charge. There is the Park-a-Tot project at Washington School where shopping mothers may park their tots to be entertained with free movies and other features. Annual buffet suppers have been promoted to honor new residents and acquaint them with the community, with flowers personally delivered to merchants and residents in newly annexed areas. After the Memorial Building was completed, a special committee was organized to investigate the advantages of conventions and shows and exhibits. Thirty-seven cities with experience on similar projects were contacted for information pertinent to the money spent by visitors for hotel accommodations, restaurants, retain trade, even the percentage of visitors that required medical and other types of professional attention. This voluminous survey was presented to the City Council for their information on these types of events. This work paid off handsomely with annual coin exposition, which has been held seven times, many antique shows, gems and mineral shows, conventions of engineers, fraternities and societies. For all these events, the Chamber prepared charts to guide visitors to existing accommodations, including hotel rates for the eleven available facilities in the area. The Chamber has supplied free badges, secretarial assistance for registration, and in several instances, local businessmen have volunteered their aid to help with parking, supplying cars for VIPs, signs and banners and other services needed for successful conventions.