North Fork began as a stage station in 1870 feeding and lodging travelers. A few other families came to the North Fork area in the late 1870s and by 1880 the population had increased to thirteen. The area was ideal for ranching and a number of ranches began to form. By the time a post office opened in January of 1889 the population numbered seventy-five. There was a hotel, saloon, grocery store, and a school in operation. Ranching had become an industry by 1890 and the population stood at 122. In 1897 the stage line ran from Elko through North Fork to Gold Creek. Through the years North Fork and ranching continued to grow. As time passed, however, the stage lines stopped operating given the advent of the automobile. In the early 1940s many of the ranches began to change hands and some were combined into larger properties. Not much remains today of the original North Fork area except a number of foundations and a few other ruins. Submitted by: Shawn Hall from his books Old Heart Of Nevada: Ghost Towns And Mining Camps Of Elko County Click here to purchase his book!

Connecting The West: Historic Railroad Stops And Stage Stations In Elko County, Nevada Click here to purchase his book!