[3] The community is considered a ghost town,[4][5] and two of its buildings are preserved as Elkhorn State Park.

[6][4] Lodes of silver, described by geologists as supergene enrichments, were initially discovered in the Elkhorn Mountains by Peter Wys, a Swiss immigrant.

During this peak period, Elkhorn had 2,500 inhabitants, a school, a hotel, a church, stores, saloons, and brothels.

[8] In 1893, the Fraternity Hall was constructed for social gatherings, and still remains as one of the most well-preserved buildings in modern Elkhorn.

[3] While very few standing buildings remain of the original Elkhorn, a number of cabins have been reoccupied and refurbished.