Frenchie Gaillard

Frenchie Gaillard was one of the most well-known characters in Elko, Nevada. From 1931 to 1961 he sold nearly 30 million pounds of wool to mainly East coast buyers. Along the way, he watched as Elko went from one of the largest cities in Nevada to a much smaller version of itself.

In this interview, Frenchie describes his trip to the U.S. in 1921 and his experiences living in the Basque hotels in Winnemucca and Elko. He also elaborates on what people made up the community, as well as what his unique job in the wool and lamb buying business was like.

Read the Interview Summary