Hawthorne was established in Mineral County in 1881 on the western side of Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 4,255 feet and is surrounded by several mountain ranges that protect it from extreme weather allowing for nearly 365 days of sunshine a year and relatively mild temperatures.

Walker Lake, fed from the north by the Walker River, is the heart of outdoor recreation in Hawthorne. This lake was once part of the Lahontan Sea, a prehistoric sea that covered much of Nevada and is now home to several species of water birds, including loons, and the Lahontan cutthroat trout.

Hawthorne is called “America’s Patriotic Home,” and the red, white and blue streets and flags blowing in the wind are testament to the town’s great national pride. Part of this pride is rooted in the Hawthorne Army Depot, an ammunition storage site south of Walker Lake. Construction began on the facility in 1928 and it served as an ammunition staging area for World War II. It is said to be the largest facility of its kind in the world, covering more than 147,000 acres. Today, the depot employs a large majority of the residents of Hawthorne.

The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum is a great place to see some of this ammunition up close, and see a variety of military uniforms, photos and memorabilia.

There are several hotels and motels in Hawthorne, and restaurants to suit any craving. The El Capitan Lodge and Casino is the largest stopover, complete with 24-hour Nevada-style gaming, a cocktail bar and lounge, a coffee shop, and RV and truck parking. It is also close to the Walker Lake Golf Course.