Don Alexander Hawkins

1937 - 2023

Hawkins

Don Alexander Hawkins

Don Alexander Hawkins, architect, city planner, historical cartographer, and historic preservationist died on October 5, 2023, in his home in Hillsboro, VA. At his side was his wife Cynthia L. Elliott Hawkins. The cause of death was prostate cancer. He was 86.



A respected architect and urban planner since 1969, Don was also a passionate student of Washington, DC's development. He leaves a legacy of historical discoveries, especially fundamental aspects of the city's original L'Enfant Plan.



Don was born April 24, 1937, in Wheeling, WV, to Adelaide Mulheran and Edward Joseph Hawkins and grew up in Arlington, VA. He studied architecture at Catholic University, the Architectural Association (London), and Carnegie Tech, and apprenticed with Hugh Newell Jacobsen. His marriage to Ann Walczak in 1961 ended in divorce, with two children Sarah and Eli.



In 1971 he established Don Hawkins and Associates, with award-winning architectural and urban design services to the DC Metropolitan Area. Cynthia Elliott joined his firm in 1983. The two architects married in 1996.



In 1977 Don began his inquiry into DC's founding and development. He reconstructed the landscape on which Peter C. L'Enfant laid out the city in 1791. The resulting topographic map was collected by the Library of Congress.



Don also led a student team that developed a master plan for the neighborhood around the Ballston Metro station. The plan was adopted by Arlington County. He collaborated with UMBC's Imaging Research Center in 2008 to produce the animated digital "Beginning of the Road: Map of the Site of the Federal City." As a preservationist, Don helped stop the National Park Service from cutting a new entrance in the basement of the Washington Monument.



Don was an entertaining speaker in university and public forums. He chaired the Parks and History Association from 1999 to 2001 and the Committee of 100 on the Federal City (2006-2008). He was also an accomplished trombonist. A member of the Latrobe Chapter, Society of Architectural Historians; the American Institute of Architects; the L'Enfant Forum; and the DC Preservation League, he served on several boards of the Historical Society of Washington, DC (now DC History Center).



In addition to his wife Cindy, he is survived by Eli, Sarah (Jon Bolduc), granddaughter Lucy Hawkins Bolduc. Donations in Don's memory may be made to the DC History Center, dchistory.org. A memorial service is set for 2 p.m., January 6, at the Cosmos Club.