Elko

Kentucky's ghost towns are coal camps in the eastern mountains and river towns the railroads passed by.

Elko was an unincorporated community in eastern Edmonson County in south-central Kentucky, United States. It was one of a few settlements in eastern Edmonson County that were displaced for the area to become a portion of Mammoth Cave National Park.

The on-the-ground condition of Elko is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Elko is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Elko is roughly 37.1617, -86.1353 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.