Lamoille

History

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 located on 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. In 1907 a small church was constructed on the east side of the community, and is still in use today. Former Disney president and good friend of Clint Eastwood, Frank Wells, died in a helicopter crash here in the Nevada Ruby Mountains.

Largest nearby schools

• Spring Creek High School
  High · Spring Creek · 909 students · 23.3:1 ratio
• Spring Creek Middle School
  Middle · Spring Creek · 734 students · 21.6:1 ratio
• Liberty Peak Elementary School
  Elementary · Spring Creek · 649 students · 22.4:1 ratio
• Sage Elementary School
  Elementary · Spring Creek · 438 students · 17.5:1 ratio
• Spring Creek Elementary School
  Elementary · Spring Creek · 421 students · 20:1 ratio