Lamoille, Nevada

Lamoille is a rural unincorporated community in Elko County in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States. It is located about 17 miles (27 km) east of Elko at the base of the Ruby Mountains at an elevation of 5,889 feet (1,795 m) and is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area. The early history of the community and surrounding area is summarized in a nearby highway marker: LAMOILLE VALLEY - Because heavy use denuded the grass from the main Fort Hall route of the California Emigrant Trail along the Humboldt River, many emigrants left the river near Starr Valley. They skirted the East Humboldt Range and the Ruby Mountains along a Shoshone Indian path, rested their livestock in Lamoille Valley, and returned to the Humboldt River. John Walker and Thomas Waterman first settled the area in 1865. Waterman named the valley after his native Vermont. In 1868, Walker erected the Cottonwood Hotel, store and blacksmith shop in the valley, and the settlement became known as "The Crossroads. " Here wagons were repaired and food and supplies could be obtained. The original buildings and the more recent 20-bedroom Lamoille hotel, creamery, flour mill and dance hall are gone. Lamoille is nestled off the western flanks of the Ruby Mountains, and is the principal gateway to this range via the National Scenic Byway up Lamoille Canyon. In 1907 a small church was constructed on the east side of the community, and is still in use today.