The needs of Spokane citizens for adequate housing, physical and spiritual care during retirement years became a concern of Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. in 1956. (Rockwood Retirement Communities, "Annual Report", 1998-1999., p. 4). In June of 1957 The P. M. I. Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 5.6 acres of land from Whitworth College. Hawthorne Manor was opened October 1958. In 1960 a two story addition to the Manor was erected.

From the records, it was evident that P. M. I. was under capitalized. This under capitalization and increased longevity of residents saddled P. M. I. with severe financial problems. The struggle came to a climax with an attempt to build a high rise addition to the facility in the face of rapid escalation of property values and stiff opposition from the neighbors who favored only the building of cottages with low profiles. Twenty such, known as Hawthorne Courts, were built and were easily marketed.

However, the huge debt incurred by the proposed high rise along with a decline in the market forced P. M. I. to sell the property. United Methodist Homes, doing business as Rockwood Retirement Community, purchased the facility On February 1, 1999. In general, the residents noticed no diminution (Rockwood Retirement Communities, "Annual Report", 1998-1999., p. 4) in the services offered under P. M. I.