Cattle grazing in a field, possibly in Lamoille Valley, Nevada. Lamoille is located in Elko County, Nevada. 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. 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 at the end of Nevada State Route 227, and is the principal gateway to this range via the National Forest Scenic Byway up Lamoille Canyon.