Belmont Courthouse State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belmont Courthouse |
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![]() Old Nye County Courthouse in Belmont, Nevada
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Location | Nye, Nevada, United States |
Elevation | 7,392 ft (2,253 m) |
Established | 1974 |
Governing body | The Friends of the Belmont Courthouse |
The Belmont Courthouse is a really old building in Nye County, Nevada. It sits in the middle of a ghost town called Belmont. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but then everyone left, leaving the buildings behind.
This historic courthouse is about 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Tonopah, Nevada. It was built way back in 1876. Today, you can visit this cool piece of history!
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Explore the Historic Belmont Courthouse
The Belmont Courthouse is a special place that tells a story about Nevada's past. It's located in the Toquima Range, a beautiful mountain area. Imagine what life was like when this building was brand new!
A Look Back in Time
When the Belmont Courthouse was built in 1876, it was a very important building. It served as the main office for the government of Nye County. This means that important decisions were made here, and legal cases were heard. It was like the heart of the county's government.
However, things changed over time. By 1905, the county government moved to a different town. This left the Belmont Courthouse empty, and Belmont slowly became a ghost town.
Bringing History Back to Life
Even though the courthouse was left behind, people didn't forget about it. Over the years, parts of the building have been fixed up. A lot of this restoration work was done by Brett Perchetti, helping to keep the old building safe and sound.
Today, the Belmont Courthouse is open for visitors to explore. It's a great way to see what a government building looked like long ago. While you're in Belmont, you'll find a few picnic tables and public toilets. If you want to camp or have a bigger picnic, you can visit the U.S. Forest Service Pine Creek Campground. It's about 20 miles (32 km) north of Belmont in the Monitor Valley.
Who Cares for the Courthouse?
The Belmont Courthouse has had a few different owners over the years. In 1974, it became part of the Nevada State Parks system. This meant the state helped protect and maintain it. Later, in 2012, the courthouse was transferred to Nye County. Now, a group called The Friends of the Belmont Courthouse helps look after this amazing historical site. They work to make sure it stays preserved for everyone to enjoy.