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Elko County is a county in the northeastern corner of Nevada, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 53,702. [3] Its county seat is Elko. [4] The county was established on March 5, 1869, from Lander County.
Though Elko lies along the route of the historic California Trail, its roots as a civilized town date only back to its establishment in 1868 by settlers, when it was at the east end of the railroad tracks built by the Central Pacific Railroad (the portion of the First transcontinental railroad built from California to Utah) when the railroad cre...
The town was probably named by Charles Crocker, superintendent of the CPRR. He was fond of animal names and simply added an "o" to Elk. The state legislature formed Elko County from a portion of Lander County in 1869. With 17,127 square miles, it is the sixth largest county in the nation.
Article History. Elko, county, northeastern corner of Nevada, U.S., bordering Idaho on the north and Utah on the east. The county is mountainous, including the Independence, Ruby, and Pequop ranges, with occasional valleys and a high plateau in the northwest, and contains two large segments of Humboldt National Forest (north and centre).
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Elko’s history is rich with tales spun from Old West historical sites including an original homestead. Originating as a camp along the Central Pacific Railroad, this Western town is proud of its mining and cowboy roots. Learn more about what Elko, Nevada is known for today and plan your next visit.
Elko, city, seat (1869) of Elko county, northeastern Nevada, U.S., in the Humboldt River valley. It originated in 1868 as a construction camp along the Central Pacific Railroad. Fancifully named by railroad construction superintendent Charles Crocker for the high desert’s abundant elk, the town.
History of Elko, Nevada. Elko sprang to life in 1869 with the development of the Transcontinental Railroad. As a brand new stop along this cross country route, Elko soon became a base for gold and silver mining, as well as raising livestock.
