I used that tactic to get downtown. The Western Folklife Center (I think there are two different museums in town)used to be the Pioneer Hotel / Casino. In 1992 the WFC bought the building.

Last time I was there and said I wanted to go to the museum downtown they wouldn't take me.

The Western Folklife Center is about 2 blocks walk from Stockmen's and Commercial. I think the other museum was a little more.

WFC has nice exhibits and sponsors the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko each year.

As the story goes, Der Binger (Crosby), liked to dress in a straw hat and jeans. In 1951 a hotel in Canada refused to let him register because he "looked like a bum".

Members of the Silver State Stampede heard about it and had Levi's make a pair of tuxedos. Blue-Serge Day / Silver State Stampede was held in Elko June 30th 1951. Bing Crosby (Honoray Elko Mayor) and Elko Mayor Dave Dotta wore their Levi Tuxes.

Some day I'd like to have time to read through the library in Elko or search the courthouse records, or read the newspaper archives... Someday.

I have purchased two out of print Quarterly publications from the Northeastern Nevada Historical Society. Also there are history books about Nevada that have sections on Elko, so I look for those.

Shawn Hall has written two books about Elko County, one concentrates on railroad stops and stage stations (old towns of Elko County), and the other is Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Elko County.

He has them up on eBay from time to time. University of Nevada Press, so you can guess that these are not going to be at your local mass market bookseller.

Chip collecting IS about history.