Mission Statement Walker Lake Fact Sheet Water Issues Walker Lake History Hawthorne, NV Info Hawthorne, Nev. is the typical example of everything that is rural western Nevada - unsurpassed scenery, small town friendliness, eclectic dining and a unique sense of history. Native Americans inhabited the Walker River Basin, including the area around Hawthorne, dating back 11,000 years or more. Then in the late mid-1800s the Comstock Lode discovery brought many settlers to the Walker River area. In 1880 H.M. Yerington, the president of the Carson and Colorado Railroad Co., selected Hawthorne as a townsite and in 1883 Hawthorne was named the Esmeralda County seat. The town later lost that distinction, but in 1911 became the county seat for Mineral County. One of Hawthorne's main claims to fame is the U.S. Army Ammunition Depot, the world's largest facility of its kind. After a munitions explosion at an East Coast army facility in the 1920s, the military selected Hawthorne as a new munitions site. The depot was officially opened in 1930 and continues to be the focal point of Hawthorne's economy, employing 400 of the town's 3,900 residents and infusing over $25 million annually into the local economy. Hawthorne's high desert location ensures mild local weather since the surrounding mountain ranges provide protection from the effects of Pacific Ocean storms. Surprisingly, the average summer temperature is a mere 77 degrees. Tourism is also a major industry in the area since Hawthorne is a convenient stopping place for travelers, especially for those venturing between Reno and Las Vegas. When driving on Highway 95 north of Hawthorne, travelers are often surprised when a huge lake appears on the desert horizon. Walker Lake serves as a major tourist draw for Hawthorne. Many outdoor enthusiasts visit Walker Lake for the numerous recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, boating and fishing. Walker Lake is a terminal freshwater lake whose water level has dropped significantly during the past several decades due to upstream water diversions and periodic drought. Located in central western Nevada, the Lake is home to native trout and a critical stopover for many migrating waterfowl, including more than 1,400 common loons - the largest congregation west of the Mississippi. Directions to Walker Lake: From Reno (two-hour drive), take I-80 east to Fernley then Hwy. 50 to Fallon. From Fallon, take Hwy. 95 south to Schurz. A short drive from Schurz brings you to Walker Lake and south of the Lake is Hawthorne. From Las Vegas (five-hour drive), head north on Hwy. 95 through Hawthorne until you reach Walker Lake.