Tonopah has been home to a sort of hot springs hippie resort and a gas station. (The hot springs is an indication of a subterranean water source.) It is located nowhere between the Palo Verde nuclear station and the Quartzite winter home for ten thousand or so campers. I rather imagine that 40 square miles of cactus wasteland in that area could have been purchased cheaper than the $80 million sales price.
Also a convent and retreat.