Mina, Nevada

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Mina is a small community in Mineral County in west-central Nevada on U.S. Highway 95 (38° 23' 25" N 118° 06' 30" W) at an elevation of 4,560'. The 2000 Census shows Mina with a population of 261. The zip code is 89422, and the area code is 775. Mina was founded as railroad town in 1905 and was named for the daughter of a railroad executive. The name "Mina" comes from Spanish for "mine" or "ore". The Nevada & California Railway, a division of Southern Pacific, had a railroad station in the town. The railroad is long gone, but at one time a local shuttle called the "Slim Princess" allowed Indians to ride for free on top of the railcars, and passengers and crew would shoot wild game such as jack rabbits, ducks and sage hens from the open windows. The train moved so slow that hunters had time to retrieve their game and hop back on board.

The town lies northeast of the Excelsior Mountains, and northwest of the Pilot Mountains which contain Pilot Peak, at 9,182 feet above sea level. It is eight miles southeast of the community of Luning, and nine miles (14 km) north of Tonopah Junction. The community lies a little more than 100 miles (200 km) southeast of the state capital, Carson City.

Travelers services are available at two gas stations; both with a small general store; one cafe style restaurant, two bars and a motel. The gas stations are open from around 7 a.m. to around 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday but do not have regular hours on Sunday. No fuel is available when the stations are closed. The next closest fuel station is in Hawthorne, Nevada 32 miles (50 km) north on Highway 95. 24 hour fuel is available in Hawthorne. No automotive repair service is available in the town. Tow service is available out of Hawthorne.

Emergency medical and fire/rescue services are available by calling the county 911 dispatcher or by use of an alarm pull station located at the fire house. The fire house is on Highway 95 in the center of the town.

Drivers should use due care and strictly observe posted speed limits as the highway speed drops to 35 mph (56 km/h) and the Mineral County Sheriff as well as Nevada Highway Patrol set RADAR speed check points in the town daily.

Average July high temperatures range from 61° to 96 °F, with January averaging between 22° and 47 °F. The highest temperature ever recorded in Mina was 110 °F in 1933, with a low in 1990 of –23 °F. Mina receives very little rainfall, and in an average year gets about six inches, with no month getting more than one inch in a normal year. The Mina Airport is at the southeastern end of town.