Page 13 - Coldwell Banker Algerio/Q-Team Elko Relocation Guide

Elko was once called “The Last Cowtown in America” by writer and commentator Lowell Thomas. Today, Elko remains one of the best places to find authentic cowboy clothing and paraphernalia and this part of our heritage is celebrated every winter during our National cowboy Poetry Gathering and during our many rodeos each summer.
When you discover Elko you quickly see why this truly is “Nevada with Altitude.” At an elevation of 5,060 feet, our high desert community experiences four mild seasons as Nature’s vast playground beckons right out our back doors.
James Q. Winer, GRI
Our Towns
Elko – Surrounding Communities
ELKO
Courtesy of KENV-TV
The City of Elko is a dynamic action hub in the truest sense of the word—for transportation, shopping, business, events and entertainment, people converge on Elko from far and wide. The saying, “Throw a good party and the people will come” could have originated with Elko. For a city of its size, Elko hosts an amazing amount and variety of events, with over 150 listed on its annual Events Calendar. Many of these celebrate Elko’s diverse cultural heritage.
Tribes of Western Shoshone Indians roamed this area for thousands of years before the West was settled. They are still a part of the community and invite everyone to watch them dance, play music and compete in games as they celebrate their annual Powwows.
Though Elko was not a primary destination for Western settlers, people from many cultures around the world discovered its special charms and decided to stay. America’s great westward expansion can be explored at the California National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, located eight miles west of Elko at Hunter Exit 292. (www.californiatrailcenter.org or 775-738-1849.)
In the late 19th century, people of many origins were drawn here to work on the railroad, mine for gold or develop some of the largest cattle ranches in the nation. Beginning in the 1880s, Basque immigrants travelled here from their mountainous region between Spain and France to work as sheepherders. Many of their descendants settled in Elko, some of them operating boarding houses. Today, their cuisine is treasured by locals and visitors alike and their colorful annual National Basque Festival attracts people from all over the world.
People of Hispanic ancestry have been an integral part of Elko’s history and culture since the first vaqueros settled here, and today make up about 20 percent of our population. Our Cinco de Mayo celebration includes a parade and the festivities in the city park feature some of the elaborate rope trick and other skills practiced by these cowboys.
Early explorers to our area thought the red garnet stones they found were rubies, so they named the mountains that form the backdrop to our lives the Ruby Mountains. Today, gold is the main treasure found here and the hard rock mining industry forms the backbone of our economy. Though the many mines are spread out across Elko County, the largest mining companies, Barrick and Newmont are both headquartered in Elko. Newmont Mining Corporation offers public tours on the second Thursday of each month, April through October, weather permitting. For more information, call 775-778-4068.
We treasure our clean air, our wide open spaces, healthy lifestyle and friendly neighbors and the relative economic stability and opportunities resulting from our crossroads location and abundant natural resources. Elko truly is a wonderful place to put down roots and look to the future with hope and anticipation.
(775) 738-4078 / 775-738-9866 www.CBelko.com Coldwell Banker Algerio/Q-Team Realty • 11