80 Years Ago – A. C. Hoover, a cousin of former president Herbert Hoover, headed a party of investors visiting Mina and examining tungsten properties in that part of Mineral County. (Pinterest photo of Mineral County mining claim)

10 Years Ago

• Nevada Highway Patrol Sergeant Fred Wurster attempts to make a free throw, wearing the drunk goggles, during the game between the NHP/Sheriff’s Office/Fire Department against Mineral County High School students. The game was the final event during Red Ribbon Week of activities.

• Mineral County Fire Chief Craig Nixon was bursting with joy on Monday, Nov. 5 when the brand new fire truck for Mineral County arrived in Hawthorne. “The new engine is fully equipped and one the county can be proud of,” stated Chief Nixon. The new fire truck is completely equipped with every firefighting feature available including foaming feature. In recent months the county commissioners approved the purchase of the new truck at the cost of approximately $257,000. Mineral County School to Careers student Khortnie Stephens stated “It’s a big truck and is beautiful.”

• The El Capitan Resort & Casino held another very successful slot tournament on Oct. 26-28. Entitled the “Scooby Doo Boo” Slot Tournament, the contestants had a lot of fun and many winners were named after the competition ended. The top four money winners were: First place, $4,000 Jose Gutierrez; second place, $2,000 Jim Ganchow; third place, $ 1,250 Diane Field and fourth place, $900 George Beatie.

20 Years Ago

• Dr. Wiley T. Sanford, D.O. of Fallon opened his office in the Hawthorne Clinic Building for the practice of general medicine. Dr. Sanford was well known in this area as many local residents were former patients of his when he had a clinic in Yerington for several years.

• Miss Crystal Boyd of Mina was named the Mineral County High School “Volunteer of the Year” in the Presidential Spirit of Community Awards Program. Boyd as recognized for her volunteer work as a member of the Mina Youth Advisory Committee.

• The MCHS Lady Serpents Varsity volleyball finished first place in the central division, enabling them to host the zone tournament in Hawthorne. The Lady Serpents were 11 and 1 in regular season play and 14 and 2 overall.

• Diane Jones of Hawthorne was the lucky winner of the Jackpot Market $10,000 drawing in which 250 Jackpot Stores in the Western United States participated. Sheriff Rocky McKellip presented the check to Jones while members of the Hawthorne Jackpot Mini Market added their congratulations.

30 Years Ago

• Many Gabbs residents and out-of-town guests enjoyed a great Halloween Costume Ball sponsored by the Gabbs Fire Department.

• Work was started on the new Little League ball field near the Lions Park in Hawthorne.

• The Mineral County High School Serpents scored big over the Dayton Dustdevils. The final score of the football game played in Hawthorne was 41-6.

40 Years Ago

• New officers were installed by the Hawthorne Kiwanis Club. Elected were Robert Thorndike, president; Harry Lyzenga, 1st vice president; Tom Bacon, 2nd vice president; Alfred Prince, secretary; Tom Ramsey and treasurer; Larry Bettis was past president. Serving on the Board of Directors were L. D. Boyd, Bud Young, William Bray, Alfred Prince, Barney Horn and Rollie Rather.

• Opening of bids on a contract to construct the new library building in Hawthorne was postponed.

• Bid on phases II and III of the community swimming pool park project exceeded the estimated cost of the project of funds available to complete the work.

• Colonel Olin L. Beall, widely known retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former resident of Hawthorne died at the VA Hospital in San Francisco. Col. Beall was a former Commanding Officer at the NAD Hawthorne Marine Barracks.

50 Years Ago

• U.S. Senator Alan Bible obtained full approval for construction of 100 family units at the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Depot.

• There was an urgent need for housing for NAD Hawthorne workers. Additional ordnance workers were to be hired to add another bomb line but all Babbitt houses were full.

• The Hawthorne NAD Marine Barracks celebrated the 192nd anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps with a traditional anniversary dinner served at the Marine Barracks mess hall, a cocktail party at the Sunset Bar and the annual Marine Corps Ball was held at the National Guard Armory in Hawthorne.

60 Years Ago

• Miss Patsy Brown was crowned queen of the annual “Cinderella Kickoff” at Mineral County High School. Runners-up in the queen contest were Nita Campbell, Sharon Cavin and Page Minkler.

• The Fall Board Meeting of the Nevada Junior Chamber of Commerce was held in Hawthorne. The three day meeting was attended by many JC members from around the state, and the National President of the Jaycees, Charles E. Shearer, Jr. from Tulsa, Okla. was also here for the meeting.

• A light vote was cast in the election for Trustees of the Babbitt Community Association (Babbitt Council). Elected at-large were Mrs. Dorothy Cook and Boyd J. Owen. Precinct winners were Frank Gray, Mrs. Lorranie Roll, Lloyd L. Boone, Jim Chamberlain, Howard H. Baker, Dwayne A. Williams and Delon J. Pollock. A total of only about 450 ballots were cast in the election.

• The Serpents dropped the final game of the season to the Sparks Railroaders 18-12.

70 Years Ago

• Cattle theft charges were filed in local court against two residents of Mina and two residents of Gabbs.

• The Sparks and Hawthorne high school elevens tried to play a football game in one of the heaviest wind and sand storms in history. Sparks was declared the winner by 14-6 and was also credited with the world’s record punt– approximately 300 yards– when the ball was recovered near the intersection of 6th and E Streets.

• The Hawthorne Rifle and Pistol Association were granted a National Rifle Association charter. Neil Kiley was named president; Merle W. Riel, vice president; Elmer Buck, executive officer; Ralph Dickson, chief instructor and Frank Logar, secretary.

80 Years Ago

• A large group of Fallon residents came to Hawthorne to enjoy the costume dance sponsored at the Naval Depot by enlisted Marine personnel.

• Mineral County Commissioners agreed to a survey of the feasibility of Mineral Count Power System participating in a proposal to operate a power generating plant on the East Walker River.

• State Highway Engineer Bob Allen informed the Independent-News the state had made no commitment to build a road to mining properties in Mineral County. The newspaper asked in an editorial if the state was dragging its feet after Ed Heggland, local mining man, said the state had promised to work with WPA in a road project.