Mineral County was aptly named. For more than a century, mining for everything from gold and silver to borax and uranium has been in progress there, and Hawthorne -- though now a remarkably stable city -- has had its share of mining-related boom-and-bust times.

Just as important as mining to the development of Hawthorne -- and just as prone to its own brand of boom-and-bust -- has been the military. In 1927, the federal government established the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hawthorne, upping the population from just over 200 to 680 by 1930.

With the advent of World War II and correspondingly intense activity around the depot, Hawthorne’s population -- to put it mildly -- soared. Nevada traveler and historian David Toll reports that Hawthorne boasted 1,009 residents in 1940, before hostilities began. By 1944, 13,000 people were living there.

With the end of the war, the number of Hawthorne residents dropped to a more manageable level: there were 1,861 of them by 1950’s reckoning.

Today, about 3,700 people make their homes in what has become one of Nevada’s most comfortable and well-rounded small cities. It’s an untroubled, unhurried place, welcoming to the visitor and protective of its lifestyle and heritage.

An ideal climate is just the start. The Mineral County Economic Development Authority notes that, "At an elevation of 4,255 feet, Hawthorne's high desert location ensures mild local weather since the surrounding mountain ranges protect it from effects of Pacific storms. To the west is the Wassuk Range, capped by beautiful 11,239-foot Mt. Grant. To the northeast, the Gillis Range rises from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. These mountain ranges, as well as the nearby Garfield Hills and the Sierra Nevadas, are ‘protectors’ of Hawthorne's weather. Temperatures are relatively mild in the winter and warm during the summer.” Sunshine is plentiful, all year long.

Travelers on US 95 between Reno and Las Vegas have for years made Hawthorne’s El Capitan Lodge and Casino a favorite, and it continues to offer non-stop gaming and old-fashioned hospitality to thousands of guests annually, as it has since the 1950s. Several other motels and restaurants also welcome the traveler.

A good place to begin on any excursion to Hawthorne is the Mineral County Museum at 10th and D Streets, which displays area artifacts ranging from fossils of prehistoric beasts to mining artifacts and horse-drawn wagons. Special collections include a group of mission bells -- likely left by Spanish prospectors -- found in the area, and extensive memorabilia from the long history of the ammunition depot.

Another attraction is the Walker Lake Country Club, a well-maintained nine-hole golf course north of town. Built by Naval personnel employed at the ammunition depot, the course - kept a closely-guarded secret for years -- is a favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike, and is certainly one of the most unique courses in Nevada.

Walker Lake itself is one of Mineral County's real treasures, but it is also a troubled place. Recent drought years have lowered the lake to the point where its Lahontan cutthroat trout population -- much prized among Silver State fishermen -- is endangered by high alkaline levels. The Walker Lake Working Group, made up of concerned Mineral County residents, is actively involved in finding solutions to the problems facing the lake.

The area surrounding Hawthorne is a favorite of Nevada's outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy hiking its hills and mountains, hunting for minerals and artifacts, horseback riding, motorcycling, BMX bike riding and other pursuits. Exploring nearby ghost towns like Aurora, Rawhide, Lucky Boy and Candelaria is also a popular pastime.

The annual events calendar is a full one, and includes April's Loon Festival, Armed Forces Day the third Saturday in May, an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration, the Mineral County Fair in late August, the Pinenut Festival and Rodeo in September, and the Walker Lake Arts Festival in October. The roar of stock cars is heard all summer long at the Hawthorne Centennial Raceway, a favorite track for motor sports enthusiasts. While the activities are plentiful, Hawthorne also promises that sought-after rarity: a little peace and quiet.