Elko: A resting place on the emigrant trail, and an early regional freighting center, Elko developed into a major railroad and ranching center. In 1869 the Central Pacific laid out the townsite and the city became the seat of a new county also named Elko. The state university was first located there 1873 and moved later to Reno. In 1900 fewer than 1000 people lived in Elko.