Mr. Hawley’s lifetime spanned decades where Ballard developed into a retail, commercial, maritime, manufacturing, fishing, and lumber center of major proportions.

All businesses along the canal west of the Fremont Bridge, including the Northwest Rolling Mills, U.S. Plywood, Foss Tug and Barge, Fishermen’s Terminal, the ship building and repair companies were part of this major commercial hub which Hawley promoted and as promoted and assisted. Ballard also had its own ferry service, linking Seaview Avenue directly with the Olympic Peninsula through Suquamish and Port Ludlow during this time. The Ballard Commercial Club, which he served as an officer, would take sales task forces to Port Townsend to encourage peninsula citizens to buy products and services commercially and privately produced in Ballard.

Undoubtedly, Dwight Hawley’s most recognized civic accomplishment was as the lead person in the funding and construction of the Shilshole Marina. By today’s comparison of tasks, it would rival the new West Seattle Bridge and the building of the Benroya Hall, each of which were major structures and civic accomplishments. He served as president of the Shilshole Breakwater Association for 15 years. He also served as Secretary of the Ballard General Hospital and the Ballard Commercial Club, President of the Ballard Kiwanis and the Washington State Elks Association and as Commander of the Ballard-Cochran Post American Legion. Additionally, he served as a Washington State Representative from the 44th district for 18 years. He was a Purple Heart Veteran, WW l.

His awards include the King Count) American Legion Merit Award for outstanding community leadership in 1954, Latham Goble Award in 1958 for leadership in the Shilshole Breakwater development, Ballard Eagles Civic Award 1961 and the Ballard Community Appreciation Award 1963. He died in 1981.