Christmas in Early Hawthorne In 1883, just 2 years after the Carson and Colorado Railroad began operations and town lots were being offered for sale, Hawthorne became the county seat of Esmerelda County. Still a very primitive town, stages were still running. The Grand Central Saloon, Mr. T. Bodkin’s boarding house and the O.F. Taylor Variety store were some of the businesses running advertisements in the local newspaper, the Walker Lake Bulletin. It wasn’t until 1886 that the 2-room wood framed school house at 6th and C was built. By this time, Christmas trees, a German tradition was common in most places in the world. In Hawthorne, the local Pinon Pine would usually find its place in Hawthorne homes. Decorations were simple and often were homemade and candles were utilized for illumination. Since local options were limited, the railroad made it possible to travel to Carson City or even Virginia City if money was no object for gifts. Like other rural towns in the U.S., Hawthorne Christmas was limited to what families could afford to buy or make.