Elko

Elko is a town in northeastern Nevada that sits near the Ruby Mountains and the Humboldt River. The settlement lies at an elevation of 5066 feet (1544 meters) and covers roughly 18 square miles in a broad valley landscape.

The Central Pacific Railroad founded the settlement in 1868 as a station during construction of the transcontinental rail line. Mining operations brought growth later, and the settlement officially became a city in 1917.

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place each January and draws performers who share stories about ranch life. This event shows how closely the town remains connected to its Western heritage.

The town sits on Interstate 80, which runs across Nevada and connects the area to other cities in the western United States. City hall offers online services for matters such as building permits and utility bills.

In 1926, the first commercial airmail flight in the United States landed here, marking the beginning of civilian aviation in the country. This flight connected the town to the early development of air transport.

Location: Elko County

Inception: 1868

Elevation above the sea: 1,544 m

Website: https://elkocity.com

GPS coordinates: 40.83247,-115.76317

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:00