'"[2] After 1728, the lane was "a path through a pasture made by the worshippers of Trinity Church, who lived in King Street.

"[3] Because the terrain consisted of a marshy bog, wooden planks were laid down to facilitate travel, and so it was referred to as "Board Alley.

[5][6] Around the early 19th century, politicians James Sullivan and William Gray lived on the corner of Hawley and Summer Streets.

[7] In December 1810, a fire began at Stephen Soper's livery stable, spreading from Hawley to Milk Street, and burning the former home of Benjamin Franklin.

[8] When Melvil Dewey lived in Boston in the 1870s, he served as an officer of the Spelling Reform Association, headquartered at 32 Hawley St.[9]