Development and Economic Activity Over Time in New Market and Elko

From an outsider’s perspective, Elko and New Market seems mostly like a farming town, with agriculture as its primary economic stimulant. However, upon further investigation, the economic resources of this area, both natural and human stimulated, are far greater than those which have been planted. Through time, the landscape has been utilized in many different ways by the German and Scandinavian populations which inhabited the area. While the town initially began as farming town, soon with the railroad, there was an increase in commercial activity through shops, bars and perhaps even a brothel. Naturally, the forested land allowed for lumber companies to thrive here. While this once bustling town has become fairly silent today, the Elko Speedway brings in a commercial revenue and automobile traffic many weekends of the year. Below is a 3D-tour map of a “mock” Elko town center. While some of the building locations are accurate, many are estimates based on maps and others are purely representative locations meant to display the actual businesses rather than their specific location. Additionally, this make-believe town is not from a specific year or time period, but rather a culmination of the various businesses found within both towns over the course of the 20th century. As you follow the individual slides, be sure to click on each building to explore the company’s history and relevant advertisements and photographs!