Situated just 15 miles east of Gainesville, Hawthorne is ideally located at the crossroads of State Road 20 and US Highway 301.  More than 400 bodies of water within 10 miles makes this community a hub of recreational opportunities.  The quaint city supports a thriving business base, and residents enjoy close proximity to regional services that include the University of Florida, three community colleges, and major hospitals.  The thoroughbred country of Ocala is only a 30-mile drive from Hawthorne.  Nature enthusiasts can enjoy golfing, tennis, swimming, camping, walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.  The multi-purpose 17-mile trail from Gainesville to Hawthorne is especially popular. The Hawthorne Historical Museum and Cultural Center is a recent addition to the many attractions, housed in a 1907 church that was moved and refurbished.