80 Years Ago – Following a talk made by Rep. James G. Scrugham in Reno and reported in Reno newspapers, Hawthorne residents expressed general surprise over the congressman’s statement that an appropriation of $1,060,000 for enlarging the naval ammunition depot here would be made by congress in January.

10 Years Ago

  • With the use of a power boom, the employees of public works installed new flag pole holders on all of the street light poles and placed the new flags and poles in the holders.
  • The Nevada Republican Central Committee meeting would be held at the El Capitan Lodge and Casino in Hawthorne.

20 Years Ago

  • Jared West of Hawthorne was honored with the Boy Scouts of America’s highest achievement, the rank of an Eagle Scout at Court of Honor Ceremonies held at the Hawthorne Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • The Lady Serpent Volleyball Team was again the number one team in Division II with their wins in the zone tournament held here in Hawthorne. The team went into tourney seeded number one, playing the fourth place team Manogue. The Serpents took quite awhile to get on track and came from behind to win 16-14, 15-13.

30 Years Ago

  • First place winner in the historical division of the Nevada Day Parade held in Carson City on October 31 was the float entered by NERCO Minerals Candelaria Mine. The float, which also was a prize winner in the Armed Forces Day Parade in Hawthorne in May, was a replica of the famed Northern Belle Mine which was in operation at Candelaria more than 100 years prior.
  • Approximately 36 residents of the community of Walker Lake attended the Mineral County Regional Planning Commission meeting to discuss existing and proposed zoning of that community. Several of the residents presented expressed opposition to some of the proposed zoning but most agreed with the map as presented by Planning Consultant Roland Adams.

40 Years Ago

  • The subject of obtaining Lahontan Cutthroat Trout for planting in Walker Lake was to be discussed at the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. Stuart Campbell, who had been working with agencies interested in preserving Walker Lake, was to make a report to the Board and immediately after there would be a session with the representatives from the Walker River Basin Advisory Committee.
  • Two 14-year old Hawthorne youths caused more than a bit of commotion when they took a van owned by the parents of one of the boys and “proceeded north.” After arriving in Fallon the boys failed to pay for gasoline purchased at a service station and for that reason an “alert” was dispatched. Responding officers were unable to overtake the youths and Pershing County officers joined those of Churchill County officers in an effort to stop the boys.

50 Years Ago

  • Vandalism continued in the Alum Creek campground area south of Hawthorne, the forestry service reported. A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of guilty persons.
  • Sheriff E.T. Sanderson said that the lack of an all-night service station in Hawthorne was creating a problem for his office. “In recent weeks we have had a number of travelers who needed gasoline but were unable to make purchases late at night,” Sanderson said.
  • Student absenteeism in the Mineral County School District was proving to be very costly. Every day that a student was absent from classes cost the district approximately $4.35.

60 Years Ago

  • Bonanza Air Lines had been granted a 30-day extension of an order issued by the Nevada Public Service Commission that BAL resume service to Hawthorne. Service was discontinued on Sept. 27 without permission from the state commission. This resulted in the issuance of the order, two weeks prior, that Bonanza resume its scheduled flights to this community, effective Nov. 4.
  • Willie Lockwood of Hawthorne was sentenced by District Judge Peter Breen to serve a statutory term of one to fourteen years in the state prison. Lockwood was convicted by a jury in local district court of a charge of assault with intent to kill, following the shooting of Joe Johnson, also of Hawthorne, on Aug. 25. Johnson had recovered.

70 Years Ago

  • Hawthorne romped to a 31-13 triumph over Lovelock in a conference football game played at Lovelock.
  • Dominic and Ray were inviting the public to attend a big party at the recently remodeled El Rancho Bar at Gabbs. There was to be a free barbeque, according to the announcement by Dominic Petrini, who had recently acquired the El Rancho and who planned to make even further improvements at the popular club at the south side of Gabbs.

80 Years Ago

  • Automobile license plates for 1940 would be placed on sale in another month and as a new service to car owner’s temporary license plates made of cardboard and valid for only 30 days, would be issued during registration for 1940 in cases where necessary papers were not available immediately.
  • R.G. Conan, president of the Banner Development Co. of Reno, spent two days in Hawthorne and at the PamlicoLaPanta mining district sixteen miles south of this town. Purpose of his trip was to examine progress being made by leasers who were working on the LaPanta holdings which were acquired by the Banner Company a few months prior.

90 Years Ago

  • Schurz, the headquarters on the Walker Lake Indian Reservation, which had been compelled to operate ever since it came into existence with oldfashioned illuminating systems using gasoline or oil, was to have a new electric light system, authority for installation of a modern lighting plant having been given by Indian Commissioner Rhoades of the Washington Department.
  • The Walker River Irrigation District received authority from the state irrigation district bond commissioners to issue bonds for $40,000 to build a storage reservoir in Hoye Canyon, through which the west fork of the Walker River flows. This reservoir would supplement the Bridgeport Reservoir and Topaz Lake.