Belmont, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Belmont
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Belmont welcome sign on the edge of town
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 46 miles northeast of Tonopah off State Route 376 |
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| Nearest city | Tonopah, Nevada |
| Built | 1865 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000766 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1972 |
Belmont is a fascinating ghost town located in Nye County, Nevada, United States. It sits along what used to be State Route 82. This town is so important that it's listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. It's also recognized as Nevada Historical Marker number 138.
Contents
Belmont's Early Days
How Belmont Began
Belmont started in 1865 after people discovered lots of silver there. Besides silver, miners also found other valuable metals. These included copper, lead, and antimony. The discovery of these minerals brought many settlers to the area. This is how the town of Belmont quickly grew.
Life in a Boomtown
In 1867, Belmont became the main town, or county seat, for Nye County. At its busiest, Belmont was a lively place. It had four stores, two saloons, and five restaurants. There was also a stable for horses, a post office, and a bank. The town even had a school, a telegraph office, and two newspapers.
The Rise and Fall of Mining
The town's success depended on the price of metals. When metal prices went up, Belmont thrived. But when prices dropped, the town faced tough times. By 1887, many of the mines had to close down. In 1905, the county seat moved from Belmont to Tonopah.
Belmont's Population Mystery
During the 1870s, Belmont was known as a major mining boomtown. Some stories say its population reached 15,000 people. However, this number is probably too high. The total population for the entire county didn't reach 9,000 until 1980. Other sources suggest Belmont's peak population was around 2,000 people. Like many mining towns, Belmont's busy period lasted only a short time.
The town's post office was open from April 1867 to May 1911. It reopened briefly from September 1915 until 1922.
Belmont Today
What You Can Still See
Even though Belmont is a ghost town, some buildings are still standing. You can see the original Nye County Courthouse. The Cosmopolitan Saloon and the Monitor-Belmont Mill are also still there. Another interesting building is the old combination mill.
Restoring History
Today, efforts are being made to restore some of Belmont's old buildings. The old Combination Mine and Mill office is one of these. The Belmont Courier Newspaper office and other nearby buildings are also being fixed up. This group of buildings is now called the Philadelphia House. This name comes from a lodging house that was there in the 1880s. It also refers to the Philadelphia mining district.
This building complex was once a business for about 15 years. It was known as the Belmont Inn and Saloon, and also the Monitor Inn. Volunteers are helping with the restoration work.
The Belmont Courthouse
To the south of the town site is the Belmont Courthouse. This historic building now belongs to Nye County. A group called "Friends of the Belmont Courthouse" helps take care of it. The courthouse was transferred from the Belmont Courthouse State Historical Park to Nye County in 2012.
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Belmont in 1871. Photo by Timothy H. O'Sullivan.
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A ruined building in Belmont.
See also
In Spanish: Belmont (Nevada) para niños
