"Hawthorne has earned its rest. Yet, I get the unnerving feeling that it still has work to do." -- June 2009

---

At the Hawthorne Rest Area, 10th St. -- Hawthorne Mineral   38.532350, -118.624910

---

Original Date Visited: 6/27/09
Revisited: 3/24/22
Signed: No

---

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

---

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Marker 60 at the north end of Hawthorne. Notice Mt. Grant, the county highpoint, looming in the distance! Describing Marker 60 with the artillery cannon This one was re-done for Nevada's 150th sesquicentennial More heavy weapons just south of the marker at the Military Museum This mural best sums up Hawthorne. Find it right behind you as you're viewing the marker.

Exact Description:
Townsite selected in 1880 by H.M. Yerington, president of the Carson and Colorado Railroad Co as a division and distribution point for the new railroad.

The location was adjacent to the important Knapp's Station and ferry landing on the busy Esmeralda Toll Road from Wadsworth to Candelaria. Radiating roads ran to all the surrounding mining areas.

Yerington named the new town Hawthorne after a lumberman friend in Carson City and on April 14, 1881, the first train arrived, loaded with perspective buyers for the new town lots.

In 1883, Hawthorne took the Esmeralda County seat from declining Aurora but later lost it to booming Goldfield. In 1911, it became a county seat, this time for the new Mineral County.

In 1926, a destructive munitions explosion in the east caused the military to select Hawthorne for a new site. In 1928, Governor Balzar, former citizen of Hawthorne, turned the first shovel of dirt and dedicated the new depot which officially opened in 1930.

Hawthorne is a central point for desert travelers and for the vacation activity on nearby Walker Lake.

---

A Tribute to the Old Courthouse in Hawthorne

While you're here, pay your respects to the old Mineral County Courthouse, approximately five blocks southwest of Marker 60. At one point in her life, this old girl served two counties at the same time and since the SHPO will not dedicate a marker to it, you can find a Clamper here to read about its story. Enjoy!

---

Hawthorne Town Tours

---

 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

MOUND HOUSE

---

Related Links & Markers:

 - 16 - Mineral County   - 68 - Wadsworth   - 92 - Candelaria & Metallic City   Nevada Towns: Babbitt   Mineral County Official Website 

Have you been to this marker? Tell us all about it here!