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Historical Markers of Elko County (19)
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"The Heart of Nevada"
Elko's legacy began at the east end of the Central Pacific Railroad and its status as a railroad town sparked its first population in 1868. Elko served as an important temporary terminus for both the Central Pacific and the first portion of the Transcontinental Railroad between California and Utah. When the railroad crews moved on, Elko remained, surviving as a ranch and outpost, then as a mining and supply post; the next year, a courthouse was built, and the creation of a massive county with the same, mysterious name-- Elko, was made. Today, the railroad has since moved on from Elko, but for some reason, mining became the city's main trade. Nobody knows how or why mining became the primary economy in Elko, but its residents aren't complaining. The massive Getchell Mine (technically in Eureka County) funds every bit of this old cowboy town; bits of tourism, as well as continuous traffic from the Interstate helps to top off Elko's steady and bustling economy. However, a lingering fear settles over Elko's residents. Many people fear that once "the Mine" is petered out, Elko will soon fall victim to the typical boom and bust cycle of so many other Nevada communities. In a sense, Elko tends to hang by a string on a day to day basis, a string that may or may not prove that the town's heart is greater than gold.
As such, Elko County backs itself on much more than gold. Geographically, Elko County comprises a massive chunk of Nevada, encompassing the entire northeast corner of the state. Elko reigns as the second largest county in size, a county home to at least a dozen mountain ranges and perhaps the most well-watered area in the entire Great Basin. This might be why Elko County is the very birthplace of Nevada's longest waterway: the Humboldt River. In addition, hundreds of streams tumble down Elko's ranges in a county covering thousands of acres of untouched wilderness. Elko County is quickly earning the title, "Nevada's Escape", a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The highlight of Elko County must be the Ruby Mountains, a true alpine tundra in the middle of the Great Basin that stretches for roughly fifty miles north to south near Elko. This is also where one will find the famed "Yosemite of Nevada", also known as Lamoille Canyon. It is no wonder why many backpackers return to the Rubies every year if only again to splendor in one of Nevada's most scenic areas. Elko's visitors continually find themselves delighted with the county's other wild places, such as the Jarbidge Mountains and Wilderness Area, the East Humboldt Range and Wilderness, the Independence Mountains and Maggie Summit/Bull Run Basin, and the Owyhee River country north to the Idaho border. Certainly, such places are merely a few of Elko's natural wonders. Needless to say, a person could spend his or her entire life exploring the massive backcountry and scenic wildlands of Elko County. Indeed this northeast corner of Nevada still remains relatively unknown to the typical Nevadan. However, Elko residents like it that way, an attitude easily foreseen by their independence and proud flavor rolling off of their tongues.
The Markers
They say big things come in small packages. In some cases, like Elko County, an exception is necessary.
 Hitting the road for Elko County's Markers!
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It's a good thing that Elko County is so varied, because its marker hunters should expect a large amount of road time. Getting right to the point, Elko County is without a doubt the BEST county for conquering! Elko's markers are widely distributed, so don't expect to conquer them in one day. In fact, I recommend spending an entire week to capture these markers. Why not split the county up into parts to savor the grandeur that is Elko County! Fortunately, we found ourselves going back and forth only once during our conquering of Elko's markers. Our week long excursion allowed plenty of time to capture the two Jarbidge markers, quite possibly the most difficult to obtain in Nevada. We also planned carefully by conquering two markers located along SR 225, including #151, which sits 91 miles from Elko! Later, we took on #46, Pilot Peak, located on the way to Wendover, and two other markers make located in Jackpot 70 miles in the opposite direction! What does this all mean? A game plan like ours proves valuable because Elko is no small place. Conquering Elko's markers requires a bit of strategic planning if you wish to maximize your gas mileage, and to minimize back tracking. On our conquering of Elko County, we had to stop into Elko only once on our week long jaunt. We covered the eastern portion of the county in two days, including the trip to Jarbidge, working our way back to town along the interstate, then worked the markers in and around Elko in one day. The next few days were spent in the western portion, covering the SR 225 corridor and outward toward Carlin and Palisade. In five days, we spent only $125 in gas at Elko's average price in August of 2008 at $3.89/gallon! How's that for thinking ahead?
In terms of services, there should be little to worry about. A Nevadan could describe Elko as a sleepy, little city in the middle of nowhere, a town full of proud and rowdy residents who like things just the way things are. Elko comes complete with everything a visitor could possibly need. From high dollar, to hole-in-the-wall casinos, or fine dining to a Big Mac with fries, Elko is proud any and all services. How ever you plan to tackle this wild piece of Nevada, we wish the brightest of days, the greatest of sights to see, and hopefully, the grandest of stories to bring home with you. Saddle up cowpokes... Elko County awaits!
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