Elkhorn History Images

​Elkhorn was incorporated in 1872, and it was the “wild west!” In December of 1873, farmers Dan Parmalee and Tom Koehler, who were bitter enemies, got into a “shoot out.” Koehler was killed, and Parmalee was exonerated by the courts.

​In order to reach the required number of 125 residents, town leaders counted some of the indigenous peoples as part of the town’s population.

​Elkhorn, 1893 -- view from south of town on Highway 31. Today, the photographer would be standing in the Casey’s parking lot (give or take)

Multiple Choice

What year was Elkhorn incorporated?

• 1872

• 1972

• 1893

• 1900

​Elkhorn Main Street 1919

​Mainstreet 1968

​Main Street today!

Open Ended

What did you notice that changed over the years? What stayed the same?

Poll

What is the current business in this building from 1903?

• Little Scandinavia

• Boyd and Charlies

• Maximo's Cantina

• Shevy's Grill

​Did you guess Boyd and Charlies? You were correct!

​The Witt Family garage in 1915

​It is now an art studio and hot shop owned by Tyler Curnes

​The Elkhorn post office is now...

​Maximo's Cantina has a great patio!

​The EMS Show Choir and Jazz Band performed at Maximo's in May!

Multiple Choice

What kind of business was in the space that Kimba's Pottery and Maximo's occupy?

• A Dance Studio

• A Hardware Store

• A Meat Market

• A Bakery

​Referred to as the Elkhorn Auditorium, Denker Hall hosted gatherings for the community. At one point, the top floor was a roller rink!

​Unfortunately, there was an explosion in 1988. The building had to be torn down.

Multiple Choice

In addition to concerts, dances, and special events, Denker Hall also had a ____________________ at one time.

• Stage

• Roller Rink

• Secret Passage

​Circle B was a restaurant on Main Street from 1959 until.....

​It changed ownership and became Shevy's!

​The Elkhorn Inn on Main Street in 1909

​It is now Bella Vita, an Italian Restaurant.

Poll

Which of the Main Street restaurants have you dined in?

• Boyd and Charlies

• Shevy's Grill

• Bella Vita

• Maximo's Cantina

• None of these

​Today's 205th Street used to be Pacific Street

​The Keiner Saloon was built in 1888. The stage curtain from inside is currently hanging on the stage at EMS!

​The building that served as the town hall, jail, and library has been purchased by Tyler Churnes and was voted as a historic landmark by the Elkhorn City Council in February, 2022

​The Lincoln Highway is 3389 miles from NYC to San Francisco. 

​Construction through Elkhorn in 1920 increased traffic and commerce for the town.

​Lincoln Highway then and now

Multiple Choice

What part of the Keiner Saloon can be found in the EMS cafeteria?

• A stuffed Elk

• A stage curtain

• Photos of the old town

​Elkhorn School House was built in 1896 after the one room log cabin burned down. It had 4 rooms, an office area, no indoor plumbing, the current site of the Elkhorn Maintenance Shop

​The Elkhorn school house was built in 1930. Grades K-12 shared this ONE building

​

​Westridge Elementary was built in 1961.

​At first, Elkhorn Middle School served grades 7-12

Multiple Choice

What year did EMS open?

• 1961

• 1972

• 1967

• 1985

​Elkhorn High School was built in 1980.

This is when EMS became a true

middle school. ​

Multiple Choice

Which high school is sitting where this one room school house once stood?

• Elkhorn High School

• Elkhorn North High School

• Elkhorn South High School