60 Years Ago – Shortly after William H. Axtell, CSC, reported for duty at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Hawthorne, he met John Dickison who was now an inspector in the quality control department at the depot and learned that Dickison was a fellow Antarctic Veteran. Axtell served in Operation Deep Freeze (Jan. 1958- Jan. 1959) under the command of RADM George J. Dufek and made the now famous 1,300 mile trek over the South Pole as a cook for the International Geophysical Year scientists who made scientific observations under the direction of Sir Edmund Hilary.

10 Years Ago

  • Anthony Montoya, a senior at Mineral County High School and a lifelong resident of Hawthorne has excelled in motorcycle racing and is one of Hawthorne’s favorite riders. His awards in 2009 ranged from 1st-3rd place in his events.
  • The annual Veterans Day Memorial Service was held in Hawthorne at the cemetery. American Legion Post 19 Commander Ken Carrothers conducted the service with members of the American Legion and VFW participating.

20 Years Ago

  • Mineral County High School senior, Ashlee Orndorff was shown signing her letter of intent to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and play basketball for the university. Ashlee’s parents, Don and Kelli Orndorff and school faculty and friends witnessed the signing of the contract.
  • Several arrests were made pertaining to residential burglaries within the town of Hawthorne. An intensive investigation was underway involving officers of the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department Patrol and Investigations Division and the Narcotics Task Force. The combined efforts of these officers had resulted in the arrest of five persons with a large quantity of methamphetamines, marijuana and stolen property being seized.

30 Years Ago

  • A picture of Deputy Faust and his owner and handler, Deputy Sheriff Pete Adams were in the Independent-News. Faust, described as a strong link in the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office canine drug division, was a Rottweiler born in Germany and as a young pup was sent to Austin, Texas for patrol and drug detection training. He had been with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office since January of that year.
  • Jim Waits of Oasis Air Service at Fallon made a proposal to the board of county commissioners to provide air ambulance service in Mineral County but no action was taken on the offer. Oasis offer’s “On Demand, Basic Life Support” transport of medical patients. The company operates, multi-engine, pressurized and radar equipped aircraft which, according to the proposal provides maximum in safety and comfort.

40 Years Ago

  • A detailed and comprehensive review of problems relating to the future of Walker Lake was submitted to the board of county commissioners by the Rev. Stuart Campbell, who had volunteered to conduct a study and make recommendations for further action. In approving recommendations made by Campbell, the Board agreed to match up to $10,000 in funds that could be raised through volunteer contributions and other sources to complete the feasibility study and other efforts to improve conditions at the lake.
  • In a further effort to determine the legal aspects of the tax liability that would be involved in the event the Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant was placed under contract, District Attorney Larry Bettis participated in a meeting in Carson City with deputies from the attorney general’s office assigned to the state tax commission.

50 Years Ago

  • Three local men who had been charged with grand larceny were released following a preliminary hearing conducted in Hawthorne by Justice of the Peace Eugene Gates of Mina. Judge Gates upheld the contention of defense attorneys that arrest of the men was based upon evidence seized in illegal search of the residence of one of the defendants.
  • Best Foods Mayonnaise was 59 cents for a quart jar and New York Steak was $1.99 a pound.

60 Years Ago

  • The commissioners discussed with Whitacre the proposed construction of new dams on the West Walker River and the affect such projects would have on the flow of water into Walker Lake. Whitacre said that dams had been proposed for Hoy Canyon, Leavitt Meadows and a point near Pickle Meadows under provisions of what was known as the Small Projects Act.

70 Years Ago

  • The F.H.A. girls were sponsoring a public dance, the “Cinderella Kick-off” at which time the 1949 football queen would be crowned. The dance would be held in the high school gymnasium. The “Rhythm Rascals” from Yerington was the band which would be playing for the big dance. All were invited to attend and see who would be crowned “Football Queen” for 1949.
  • Peter Castellani, Jr., who had represented the Hawthorne first ward on the city council since March, resigned that office at the regular meeting of the council. Castellani stated that he was unable to continue to serve on the council because of the necessity to devote time to his own business interests.

80 Years Ago

  • Although the proclamation of Governor E. P. Carville set Thursday, Nov. 30, as Thanksgiving Day in Nevada, many federal employees in the state would observe the occasion on Nov. 23, in accordance with the decision of President Roosevelt to advance the date one week.
  • The dramatics class of Mineral County High School would present its first play of the current school year at the high school gymnasium in Hawthorne. “Ghost Parade” was the title of the threeact comedy which was to be presented by the class under direction of W.H. Tracy who the prior year directed the dramatics students in several successful presentations.

90 Years Ago

  • According to the report by the weather observer at Tahoe City the level of the lake was 6,222.78 feet above sea level, the lowest ever known since records of the lake’s rise and fall had been kept.
  • Marketing the Thanksgiving turkey crop from the growing centers of Nevada reached its peak, with the outside shipments practically all on the way, S.C. Dinsmore, state director of turkey grading, said following a visit over the weekend to Yerington and other shipping points.