If you’re driving north on Route 95 from Las Vegas to Reno, you’ll pass through several small towns that each have their own unique charm. After making pit stops in Beatty, Goldfield, and Tonopah, the next stop on the journey is Mina, followed by Hawthorne.
A Bit of Mina’s History
I have to give a shoutout to Wikipedia for being an endless source of fascinating tidbits about these small towns, and Mina is no exception!
Founded in 1905, Mina was established as a railroad town and named after Ferminia Sarras, a renowned landowner and prospector known as the ‘Copper Queen.’ Back in the day, the Nevada & California Railway, a division of the Southern Pacific Railroad, had a station in Mina. And here’s where it gets interesting—passengers and train crew would actually shoot wild game like jackrabbits, ducks, and sage hens right from the train windows.
Apparently, the train moved so slowly that hunters had time to hop off, collect their game, and jump back on board. Talk about a scene straight out of the Wild West!
Mina Today
Fast forward to today, and Mina has transformed into what can best be described as a ghost town. Abandoned mines, long-closed gas stations, and crumbling buildings are scattered throughout the landscape, remnants of a bygone era. The population hovers at fewer than 200 residents, making it a quiet yet intriguing stop for those with a curiosity for history and a love of offbeat road trips.
Hawthorne: A Surprise Awaits
Heading further north, you’ll reach Hawthorne, a town with a population of just over 3,000. On my first trip of the season to Lake Tahoe, my friend M and I decided to spend the night here, and let’s just say the experience was… interesting.
We had originally booked a room with two queen beds, but upon entering, we found all the furniture stacked on top of the beds—drawers pulled out, lamps unplugged, and everything in a chaotic pile. After a few nervous laughs, we returned to the front desk, only to learn that there were no other double-bed rooms available.
Thankfully, the friendly front desk clerk offered us two separate rooms at no extra charge—crisis averted! Apparently, they were cleaning the carpets, but why they chose that exact day when the room was reserved remains a mystery best left unsolved.
Hawthorne’s Claim to Fame
Aside from quirky hotel experiences, Hawthorne is known for something far more impressive—it’s home to the world’s largest ammunition depot. Covering about 225 square miles and camouflaging over 2,400 bunkers, this facility is an unexpected but fascinating landmark. Driving through the area, knowing you’re surrounded by massive stockpiles of explosives, is definitely an experience unlike any other.
Whether you’re exploring ghost towns like Mina or uncovering unexpected surprises in Hawthorne, this stretch of Route 95 offers plenty of road trip magic just waiting to be discovered.
