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Elko regains control of historic Girl Scout House

The city of Elko has regained control of the historic Girl Scout House on VFW Way after the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada surrendered it via a quit claim deed.

Oct 15, 2025• 4 min read

ADELLA HARDING Elko Daily Correspondent

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ELKO — Elko City Council members have voted to take back city ownership of the historic Girl Scout House that the regional Girl Scout organization wanted to rent out for revenue. But the council decided they are willing to lease the 1940 structure to local Girl Scouts.

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Girl Scouts evicted from historic Girl Scout House by ... Girl Scouts

Jessica Rackley, who leads Girl Scouting in Elko County, acknowledged the number of Scouts in Elko County is way down from the 700 or so in pa…

Keith Kohn

Photos: Farewell to Elko Girl Scout House

Gathering — The grill is the gathering spot on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, outside the Elko Girl Scout House as s’mores are made.

Keith Kohn

Cooking — S'mores are in production on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, outside the Elko Girl Scout House.

Keith Kohn

S'more in store — A marshmallow is held over the grill in preparation for a s’more outside the Elko Girl Scout House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Keith Kohn

Photos — Instant photos of those visiting the Elko Girl Scout House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, are on a table in the building.

Keith Kohn

Fire — The fire gets going on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, on the grill outside the Elko Girl Scout House, where adults and children were about to make and enjoy s'mores.

Keith Kohn

Bulletin board — The bulletin board in the Elko Girl Scout House has a hand-written Girl Scout Oath and uniform guides on display.

Keith Kohn

Table of trinkets — Pencils and other small items were on a table for children or adults to take with them on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in the Elko Girl Scout House.

Keith Kohn

A banner hangs in front of a window on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, highlighting the Elko Service Unit inside the Elko Girl Scout House.

Keith Kohn

Playing — Children play in front of the Elko Girl Scout House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Keith Kohn

Hands raised — A gathering of adults on the stoop of the Elko Girl Scout House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, raised hands when asked if they want the property to remain in local control.

Keith Kohn

Casey Mireles started in scouting as a Daisy. She said on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, the Elko Girl Scout House is a "home away from home" for many of the girls.

Keith Kohn

Lauren (Petrie) Miller has held a variety of leadership positions. She said on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, the Elko Girl Scout House was always a place "girls could gather."

Nancy Davila said scouting helped her daughter break out of her speech-delayed bubble and said on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, the Elko Girl Scout House has been an important part of scouting.

Keith Kohn

James Norrell said on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, he has two daughters in the Scouts and hopes the local leaders can retain control of the Elko Girl Scout House.

Keith Kohn

Sally Winsley left scouting leadership but remains a lifetime member. She reminisced on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, about the Elko Girl Scout House.

Keith Kohn

Girl Scout Kylee Nelson, 17, said on Sept. 27, 2025, she hopes local leaders can keep the Elko Girl Scout House operating.

Keith Kohn

Inside the 1954 addition — The 1954 addition of the Elko Girl Scout House is filled with people reminiscing with one another and looking over memorabilia on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Keith Kohn

Mandy Montavon traveled from Salt Lake City to be at the Elko Girl Scout House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, because it means a lot to her.

New wing — The new wing of the Elko Girl Scout House was constructed in 1954 for under $8,000.

Keith Kohn

Historic marker — The marker at the Elko Girl Scout House’s front door says it was built in 1940 by the Depression-era Work Projects Administration. It was leased to the Girl Scouts for $1 a year.

Keith Kohn

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Watch: Elko Girl Scout House farewell

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