Belmont

"What a long way out here, but what a sweet ride. Yet another old mining girl, alive and kicking. Before I go off shooting, I must record that I counted a total of eighteen antelope and six wild horses on my drive here. Belmont might just be the centerpiece of rural, rugged Nevada. Her worn, still-standing exterior definitely shows a lack of rest for the weary." -- April 2009

[138]       

Along Main St. across from Dirty Dick's Saloon -- Belmont

Nye
  38.595418, -116.875406

Original Date Visited: 5/14/09
Signed: No

Notes: To find this marker, hunters need to divert away from SR 376 onto the "Belmont Road, sometimes known as "Old Highway 82." After making the turnoff, there is no sign indicating that it is a one-way, 25-mile trip to the old mining town of Belmont. This area of Nevada still sees very little visitors and only light local traffic, so NDOT hasn't given much thought in erecting signage to the old town.

Like many of these old towns (or as I call them, "still-beating hearts of Nevada"), Belmont is still an active community and while the town is mostly all private property, visitors are welcome! As always, the picturesque buildings are private for their own protection, so please respect any and all signs that you will see posted. Belmont's year-round population of twenty five residents will thank you kindly. As for the marker itself, 138 used to be located at the two-story Belmont Courthouse on Cedar Street -- adorned with its very own Nevada State Park. However, the state relinquished the courthouse back to Nye County in 2018, of whom now takes up ownership and maintenance of the building. Unfortunately, the passing of Covid completely shut down the courthouse, and although you visitors are still welcome, tours are no longer offered to the public.

As a sort of trade off, Nye County Parks created the outdoor Belmont Welcome Center at the very entrance to town across from Dirty Dick's Saloon. The Welcome Center is a self-service rest stop with brochures, a town map with interpretive signs, picnic benches, restrooms, and the newly renovated, Marker 138. Yup, this marker was completely re-vamped and relocated in 2015 for Nevada's 150th Sesquicentennial (as evident by the campaign's logo on the plaque) to help soften the blow of the courthouse perma-closure. So, what you see listed below is text for both the new plaque and former plaques. Notice the significant addition of text in the new plaque below!

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

  • [138] The old plaque for Marker 138
  • [138] THe new plaque for Marker 138 replaced in 2014. Notice the significant addition of text!
  • [138] The old mining girl of Belmont
  • [138] Marker 138 and the picturesque Belmont Courthouse, the only such courthouse remaining in an old mining camp

Exact Description (former):
Once visited by prehistoric man, Shoshone Indians also used this site for jackrabbit drives and for celebrations.

Silver ore discoveries in 1865, the convenience of wood and water and naturally fine location resulted in the attractive, tree-shaded mining and milling center of Belmont. Once the most flourishing town in eastern Nevada, it was the county seat from 1867-1905.

English-Irish feuds flared frequently, and the German-dominated merchant section of town once flew its own flag.

Silver production totaling $4 million was from unusually high-grade but shallow ores. Most mines shut down by 1890.

Exact Description (new):
Belmont sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet. A spring flowing year round made this a gathering site of the Shoshone Indians for rabbit drives and celebrations.

In 1865, silver ore discoveries led to the development of an attractive tree-shaded mercantile community. East Belmont became the mining and milling center. A wide range of nationalities worked the mines, operated businesses, and provided services. At its height, Belmont had schools, churches, a post office, and a newspaper, as well as a Chinatown, a red-light district, and a racetrack. The town was the Nye County seat from 1867 to 1905, and a courthouse survives from this period.

Belmont had a reputation as a rowdy town. Incidents of saloon brawls, vigilante actions, shootings, hangings, and feuds made the town notorious. Well known Nevadans such as Jack Longstreet, Tasker Oddie, Jim Butler, and Andrew Maute all participated in local early history.

Silver production totaling four million dollars was from high grade but shallow ore. By 1890, most mines ceased to be profitable and were forced to shut down. Belmont’s population dwindled as most residents left for new discoveries in nearby mining towns.

History of Belmont

Next Marker

OLD SPANISH TRAIL (JOURNEY OF THE DEAD MAN)

Related Links & Markers:

 Belmont (Nevada Expeditions)   Friends of the Belmont Courthouse   Belmont (Nye County History)   Belmont (Ghost Towns & More) 

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