Hawthorne Log Cabin Listed in the Nevada State Register of Historic Places

Historic Hawthorne Log Cabin Listed in the Nevada State Register of Historic Places

HAWTHORNE, Nev. – A beloved Hawthorne landmark with a colorful history as a neighborhood gathering place has been added to the Nevada State Register of Historic Places. The State Historic Preservation Office announced that the Log Cabin (SRIS 260166) at 633 E Street in Hawthorne has been recognized for its architectural significance as one of Nevada’s most distinctive historic commercial buildings.

Built in 1949, the Log Cabin is significant under Criterion C as an example of programmatic architecture. Programmatic architecture features buildings designed to resemble the products or services they sell, such as a coffee shop shaped like a coffee pot or a donut shop topped with an oversized donut. Rustic “log cabin” themed buildings were popularized in California in the 1930s, but Hawthorne’s Log Cabin is the only historic example of its kind in Nevada.

Since opening on May 27, 1949, the Log Cabin has served many roles in the Hawthorne community. Originally run by proprietor Stuart Higgins as a bar and saloon until the early 1970s, it later housed The Times of Mineral County newspaper (1978) before returning to its roots as the Sierra Station bar in 1984.

The Log Cabin changed hands in the 2010s and was briefly known as The Dog House, until an interior roof collapsed. The building remained shuttered for many years before being condemned.

Facing demolition, the Log Cabin was purchased by Hawthorne resident Andy Beach in 2022, who planned to restore the historic structure. Beach remarked that “the nostalgia of the Log Cabin prompted me to buy it and save it from being turned into a parking lot.”

Beach reopened the building in 2023 as Chooch’s Log Cabin, restoring the historic landmark and ensuring its unique architectural character remains part of the Hawthorne community. Beach regularly sees the connection between the building and the community: “What is exciting is people coming in and remembering how the bar was. We have a 1954 map of the town on the wall which brings back memories for folks. Some talk about meeting their spouses or having their weddings here. For the military, it was their place to go.” Today the bar remains an active part of the community, with live bands playing outdoors, and occasionally has food trucks serving on the patio.

The nomination was authored by Kansas Bowling of the nonprofit Old Glory Theater Company. Bowling is a film director, screenwriter, cinematographer, actress and a local resident with a passion for preserving Hawthorne’s historic buildings. She has also been working with the Commission for Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation (CCCHP) to rehabilitate the nearby Cactus Theater (SRIS 230162), also listed in the Nevada State Register of Historic Places. “I’m happy to do what I can to bring attention to the often-overlooked history of Hawthorne,” said Bowling. “This is a place I love very much!” This is Bowling’s second nomination.

“A nomination to the National or State Register of Historic Places can be done by any local citizen with a passion for their old places. In fact, it is important to have local residents involved, for they understand best why these old places matter," said Jean‑Guy Tanner Dubé, Nevada’s State and National Register Coordinator.

The Log Cabin joins other notable Mineral County National Register of Historic Places listings, including the Mineral County Courthouse (NRIS 82003214), the Sixth Street School (NRIS 99001241) and the United Service Organization (USO) Building (NRIS 02000703). These and other listings can be viewed at: https://shpo.nv.gov/state-and-national-registers.

About the Nevada State Register of Historic Places

Created in 1979 by the Nevada Legislature, the Nevada State Register is an official list kept by the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office of places and resources worthy of preservation (NRS 383.085). These resources reflect history, architecture, archaeology, and culture that are important to Nevadans. For a resource to be eligible it should generally be 50 years of age, possess historical significance, and retain strong physical evidence of that story.

For more information about this listing or the State Register program, please visit shpo.nv.gov or contact Jean-Guy Tanner Dubé, National and State Register Coordinator in the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office at (775) 684-3439 or shpo-info@shpo.nv.gov.