Nature Photos Larry Burton

The beauty of nature infused with a modern Wi-Fi town that is connected to the world – it’s an Elko thing

When you finally get to where you want to go, you generally have a feeling of relief and satisfaction – you’ve reached your destination. You take a deep breath. You feel at peace. You’ve finally made it. Imagine feeling that way every single day.

We are adjacent to the mammoth 6.3 million acre Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – the largest national forest in the lower 48 states, and the 6,000’ elevation 38,000 acre Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge, a network of spring-fed marshes and shallow ponds serving as a habitat for hundreds of species of native and migratory water fowl and birds. Dominating our landscape is the 11,000’ Ruby Mountain range and majestic Lamoille (pronounced “La-moil”) Canyon (photo above). Natural beauty is everywhere. The views, the incredible outdoors, and our scenery make Northeast Nevada a destination and a place you can come and relax.

• Our wide open spaces are calming. You can hear yourself think. Things fall into order. The whisper of the quiet reminds you what is important. And when you are surrounded by like-minded neighbors attracted to this state of mind, you have Elko, Nevada.

And be at peace spiritually, choose to live the life you want, and be happy among friends. That’s an “Elko state of mind”

The Great Basin

Ranger Howard at the US Forestry Office in Elko showing part of the massive Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
(in green) in the Great Basin of America; Elko is almost in the center of this compelling geography

We are in the geographic center of the Great Basin, which is the product of geological forces stretching the earth's crust, creating many north-south trending mountain ranges. The word “basin” is commonly referred to how water flows – this huge land mass retains water and allows no outflow to other bodies of water such rivers or oceans. Today, this can be seen as a positive as we do not rely on water from another area, nor can another area poach water from us from outflow via a river.

These ranges are separated by flat valleys or basins. Because Las Vegas so dominates the discussion about Nevada, you may be surprised to learn that these hundreds of ranges make Nevada the most mountainous state in the country. Different elevations are here, so if you choose to explore the outdoors, you will be amazed how our region supports an impressive diversity of animal and plant species, from those adapted to the desert, forest, and alpine (high-elevation) environments. The Great Basin includes most of Nevada, half of Utah, and sections of Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and California – 200,000 square miles.

Elko’s Unique Location:

Elko County

Interstate 80 Map

Location Map

Elko is on I-80, which is the second-longest interstate in the US – we’re in between Reno and Salt Lake City

In area size, Elko County is the fourth-largest county in the lower 48 states and we are in a compelling location relative to exciting locales in the West. We are between Las Vegas to the south and Boise, ID to the north. Along I-80 (which Elko sits upon), we are between Reno/Lake Tahoe to the West and Salt Lake City to our east. Major ski resorts are in abundance and a drivable distance, and one can drive for vacation to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and San Francisco/Napa Valley.

Community Leaders:

“Here you can get to know people on a personal basis and make real friendships. Around town, Bank tellers, check-out clerks, store owners, etc. will recognize you on return visits. It is nice to have that personal touch wherever you go, especially coming from Las Vegas.” – Don

“Elko is a town where you can leave your house key under the doormat so that the plumber, carpet cleaner or painter can come in and do their work without your having to worry about not being home.” – Mary

“One thing people…will like about life here is you can have a voice in Elko about things that are important to you, and when we have an issue, we solve it. People stand together here.” – Mark

“Elko is categorized by its unpretentious, conservative families. If a family has money, their home and cars are modest and they put their money into their airplane, into travel with family, etc. A unique thumbprint on our area is we still have real cowboys around, who come into restaurants and bars with their chaps and hats on. Our residents find it charming.” – Marianne

“The quality of life is much higher here than in Reno. Coworkers are true friends who will help in any way possible. Community volunteerism is alive and well in Elko. People care about their community and help their neighbors. People here are friendly, genuine, and caring.” – Curtis

“Where else can children ride their bikes to the bus stop, leave them unlocked, and they are still there when they get off the bus to return home?” – Pam

Don Newman
Executive Director
Convention Center

David Zornes
CEO
Red Lion Casino

Mark Smith
Nevada State Bank
2010 Chamber Chair

Mary Korpi
External Relations
Newmont Mining Corp

Marianne Kobak
City Editor
Elko Daily Free Press

Trent Moyers
Director
Elko Regional Airport

Curtis Calder
City Manager
City of Elko

Robert Stokes
County Manager
Elko County

Mike Hachquet
General Manager
Gold Dust West

Pam Borda
Director
Economic
Diversification

An Arts Community: The beauty of Northeast Nevada harvests new artists into our thriving Arts Community, which includes accomplished photographers, sculptors, and particularly painters. Our Western Folk Life Center hosts regular concerts including the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering – an iconic, globally-known festival which honors the life of cowboys in different world cultures in music and performance. Be sure to watch the amazing Wylie Gustafson, singer/performer and Paul Zarzyski, cowboy poet and lyricist, perform together in Elko Living.

Wylie Gustafson at our Western Folk Life Center, which he calls his “Carnegie Hall,” after performing at the Kennedy Center.
A savant-like talent, Wylie may be best known for his “Yahoo!” yodel in the company’s commercials

Vicky Andrus, owner of Picture This Gallery, located in Downtown Elko, with a print from the work of globally acclaimed painter Perry Duncan, a native of Scotland who resides here among many artists

What Recession? If Nevada were a country, its gold production would rank fourth in the world behind China, South Africa and Australia, and it produces 80% of the gold produced in the US. Newmont, one of two massive mining companies in our region, produces Dore Gold bars, which are 92% pure gold. How big is Newmont’s operation at this one mine about 50 miles from Elko? For example, Newmont operates forty-six (46) 240 ton haulers in their mining operation in this Carlin mine alone – each hauler has 6 of these tires (see above) – each tire costs $35,000. You do the math.

Newmont Mining Co

Mammoth haulers that look like match box cars in huge open mines

• The global recession has moved investors seeking security into precious metals (an historical trend) including gold. With gold mining operations as the leading industry in Elko, our community hardly felt the ill financial effects of the meltdown of the banking and housing industries; in fact, through the 2008-2009 Recession our housing remained a seller’s market.
• The Wall Street Journal featured Elko in an April, 2009 article titled “Gold-Plated Economy in Nevada Town Becomes Rare Beacon for the Jobless,” and Fortune Magazine followed up later in the year with “Elko, Nevada: Where the recession never hit” – due to the gold mining operations in our region.

The mining industry, historic in our state, brings into our community both white collar scientists and business executives, as well as miners from across the United States and abroad – at a local wine bar you will make new friends with international scientists, college graduates from Notre Dame to Stanford, and new residents from Florida to Wyoming. Learn more about Newmont and take a trip to Newmont’s Carlin Mine in Economic Development.

The County Seat & Our Region’s “Hub:” As the County Seat and “hub” for our region, what we need for essential living is sequestered in our immediate area, so things like getting a license or permit is much easier at the local Courthouse. Companies doing business in our region are generally have their main facilities in town, and Elko hosts festivals, Arts, basic retail and niche shopping downtown, restaurants, two movie theaters, and casinos. For families, parks and recreation programs and sports leagues are hosted in our immediate vicinity.

Living in the County Seat makes life a little easier, and we’re a regional hub with an impressive regional airport,
plus we have what you need for shopping and grocery essentials with niche shopping downtown

Photos Courtesy Red Lion Casino

Adult fun includes gaming and sports books, such as here at the Red Lion Casino

• Elko hosts 3 extremely impressive regional facilities featured in our Online Job Tour: Our Convention Center, Western Folk Life Center, and our modern Regional Airport – which makes for very convenient getaways for business or pleasure, as well as for your friends and family to visit!

Happy Kids: The great outdoors is a vast playground for kids of all ages. Our children enjoy horseback riding, water and snow recreation, camping and ATV riding, along with sports leagues and art programs to complement their school-sponsored programs.

Lunch and Grammar Elementary, Perpetual Motion Dance Academy, and Spring Creek High Seniors

255 programs offered by our Parks & Recreation Department for families, with a great view to boot!

• Is this a great place to grow up? You bet! In fact, in this Online Job Tour you will meet parents, educators, and even some students in Education & Schools and Elko Living.

Unique Cultures and History: Tuscarora, a ghost town today, thrived between 1870 to1890 when its mines produced $40 million in silver (Nevada is still known today as “The Silver State”). Its population peaked at 4,000 and half of its residents were Chinese, who came to build the railroad through the region and remained here.

Photos from Cynthia Delaney

Our Annual Basque Festival draws thousands from around the world, a photo from Tuscarora which was once a thriving mining city of 4,000, and Ranger Gary Koy at the impressive California Trail Interpretive Center

The world’s best saddles are handmade here with premium prices, at JM Capriola.
You’ll notice a charming “cowboy” influence in Elko

Another immigrant population who may have the most influence on our area is the compelling Basque people from the Spain/France Pyrenees, who may date back 40,000 years. Although dates suggest the Basque came to the US as early as the mid 1800s during the Gold Rush, approximately 430,000 came to the Western United States and our direct vicinity as sheep herders– attracted to our area as our topography was similar to their homeland.

The sheep and cattle ranching businesses in our region also attracted Mexican “Buckaroos.” One of its most famous descendants was GS Garcia, a saddle maker who came to Elko with his family from California. Garcia’s saddle won the Gold Medal at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. He sold his business to JM Capriola, which still exists in Elko today as the world’s premier saddle and spur maker. The native Shoshone tribes have reservations as well as descendants in our area.

We preserve our history at the local Northeastern Nevada Museum and the California Trail Interpretive Center, which honors the expansion to the west by early pioneers. Learn more in History, Data & Stats.

Elko Photo Galleries:

Cynthia Delaney

• There are almost 50 photo galleries throughout our Online Job Tour! As you and your family consider us, re-visit this as your “resource” through your discussions with us, interviews, and your relocation, in order to learn more and more about your future home.
• We invite you to SHARE this with your friends and extended family by using the link on the bottom right of this and every main section page. Post this on Facebook®!
• In Videos and Galleries there are opportunities to directly email specific videos to family and friends!

Websites/Resources/Thanks (look for these on the bottom of each menu section):

www.elkocity.com
www.elkocity.com/airport/airport.htm
Thanks to Cynthia Delaney, for the young cowboy photo on our Menu page – we had three more local photographers, Charlie Ekburg, Susan Zerga, and Larry Burton, contribute selected credited photos for this Online Job Tour and they are highlighted in Videos & Galleries. We really appreciate their contributions!