Research by Simone Wai
PHOTOS by Hillary Ehlen and the NDSU archives
The Historic Hawthorne Home Series is an installment in Design & Living Magazine that will give you a glimpse into some incredible Hawthorne Neighborhood restorations and will inform you about the historic significance of these well-loved homes.
Year Built:1890
Architectural Style: Traditional Craftsman with Queen Anne elements
Square Feet: 2,255
Owners: Keith and Rachel Leier
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If you’ve ever taken a walk down 8th Street South, you have probably passed this craftsman style home with a wrap-around, front porch. Current owners, Keith and Rachel Leier, used the original abstract, or a compilation of legal documents, to learn more about its interesting history.
This 1890 home was originally built and owned by a carpenter, Joseph Trumble. Today, you can still see the extra care and attention to detail that he must have invested into the property. The current owners, Keith and Rachel Leier, like to joke that the residence was ‘built for boys’ because it once housed the original owner’s six sons and is now home to their three young boys.
Self-proclaimed old-house-people, the Leiers love that their home has its own identity. While staying true to the home’s original design, they updated the kitchen and upstairs bath and made a few cosmetic changes including painting and refinishing the floors. However, they have found the 1890 layout of the home to be quite modern.
The Leiers truly appreciate the deep roots that their home has within this community. “My great grandpa immigrated to America and lived in a sod house in 1908. By then, this house had been standing for nearly 20 years,” said Keith Leier.
About the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association
The Hawthorne Neighborhood Association brings together neighbors and business owners to create a strong and vibrant community. Join them for neighborhood socials, quarterly meetings and their biennial Historic Home Tour.
The Historic Hawthorne Neighborhood is part of Fargo’s original townsite and contains a dynamic mix of housing types that radiate down from the downtown commercial area and Island Park. The Red River makes up the eastern border while historic 8th Street, known for its street lighting, commerce, homes and trees, runs north and south through the center. This neighborhood is at the core of the National Register Southside Historic District and was named after Hawthorne Elementary School, located on 6th Street and 8th Avenue South.
Learn more and become a member at
