Elko New Market is a community in Scott County, Minnesota, that feels both familiar and full of surprises. As of the latest estimates, its population is somewhere around 5,200 people. The area is known especially for its auto racing track, historic buildings, and the blending of rural past with steady growth. From its founding as two separate villages — one born of the railroad, the other more agricultural in character — to its merger in 2007 that formed the present municipality, this place has history that is woven into its every street and business.
Walking through the town, one will notice that the Elko Speedway remains a central point of energy. The Speedway, a 3/8-mile asphalt oval, has been operating since the mid-1960s and remains active under new ownership as of 2025. Big events like the ARCA Shore Lunch 250 draw visitors from beyond the local region. Besides racing, the venue stages “Eve of Destruction” nights, drag races, and even Drive-In movie showings after dusk.
Historic architecture adds flavor to the streetscape. The New Market Hotel and Store, built in 1897 by Joseph Baltes, is still standing on Main Street. It once housed travelers, hosted small meals, and served as a regional gathering place. Visitors can see its original two-story red brick façade, with decorative brickwork and arched windows that reflect commercial design of its era. Local folklore recalls that farmers from nearby townships used to haul grain by horse-drawn wagon to the elevator in Elko, then stop at the hotel for supper and lodging; some still tell stories about waking before dawn to help with the laundry, long before electricity reached the building.
When appetite strikes, there are several standout places to eat. Firehouse Grille is much beloved for its pulled pork sandwich, its “Pickle Supreme” (a regional twist served like a sort of Minnesota-style egg roll), and Friday night fish fries that draw people in. End Zone Bar and Grill offers solid weekend breakfast options, lively atmosphere, and is a favorite for watching sports with friends. China City brings Chinese fare to the area, its sesame chicken and garlic sauce dishes often praised by locals. Bullseye Saloon on Main Street offers late hours and casual dining that suits a night out with good company.
Beyond food and racing, there are customs and seasonal gatherings that help define community life. The area celebrates its agricultural roots with fairs and markets in the summer, where local producers bring fresh produce, handmade crafts, and sometimes antique farm equipment. Neighbors gather for parades in the warmer months, especially during holiday weekends. Many longtime residents tell of the time before the merged city when Elko and New Market each had their own very distinct identities — Elko oriented around the railroad and New Market around family farms and the church.
For those who like to explore outdoors, the surrounding land offers trails, open fields, and nearby parks. Watching cars race at the Speedway can turn into an entire evening out — food, friends, sometimes a band or two. The Highway 35 corridor gives relatively easy access to nearby larger urban areas while retaining a sense of community pace. One little known bit is that before modern roads, people from across the county used to stop at the Hotel and Store not only for rest but as a social hub on cold winter nights, trading news, stories, even homemade goods.
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