38° 35.84'N, 116° 52.63'W   USGS Belmont West Quad

Belmont is as close at they could come to "beaumont" which is French for "beautiful mountain." An unknown native American found some silver here and by the fall of 1865 a prospector had filed a claim, and that was all she wrote. By 1867, there were close to 2,000 people living here. Farmers also came, eager to supply hungry miners, and many ranches were established in the Monitor Valley, which is rife with springs. The Nevada Division of State Parks says:

Merchants who came to Belmont had their stock shipped from San Francisco and Sacramento to Austin, the nearest town, 90 hard miles away.   Prices for goods were not high considering the remoteness and the freight rates of the time.   Fast freight from Austin was 4 1/2 cents per pound and slow freight was 3 cents per pound.   Lumber sold for $140.00 per 1,000 board feet.    Hay was $75.00 a ton, while eggs sold for $1.25 per dozen and tea was $1.50 per pound.

Applying the old inflation calculator, fast freight was $0.57 a pound; lumber $1764.45 per 1,000 board feet; hay was $945.24 per ton; and eggs were $15.75 a dozen, just to give you some perspective.

An overview from 1881's History of Nevada:

PRINCIPAL TOWNS AND CITIES.
BELMONT, the county seat of Nye County, is situated on a sloping plateau of the Toquima range of mountains, and has an altitude of 8,000 [actually, 7,400 - FN] feet. Its environs are picturesque in the extreme. The location is also at the center of the important Philadelphia Mining District, the principal mines of which are about a mile east of town. They are the Belmont, Highbridge, Arizona, El Dorado South, El Dorado North, Combination, Green & Oder, North Belmont, Monitor-Belmont and Quintero. Ore was discovered by an Indian, and tho first locations were made in October, 1865, soon alter which a district was organized called the Philadelphia. In 1866 the name was changed to Silver Bend, but in the same year was changed back to the one originally adopted. Spring-water is abundant for all purposes, and nut pine and cedar are found within eight miles of town. Freight is teamed from Austin, ninety miles distant, and from Eureka, 109 miles distant, at the rate of from two to three dollars per 100 pounds. The completion of rail communication to Walkers Lake will probably somewhat reduce these rates. Three hundred locations have been made in this district. The first mill was built in 1866, having ten stamps. During the following year a twenty-stamp mill was put up, and in 1868 a forty-stamp mill. The first mill erected ceased operations in 1869. The second was idle from 1868 until 1878, after which it ran at intervals for two years, and was then taken down and moved to Gold Mountain. The third stopped running in 1876. The present facilities for working ore consist of a five-stamp and a twenty-stamp mill.
The first settler of Belmont was Antonio Borquez, who arrived in 1865. He was soon followed by A. Hillman, IL G. C. Schmidt, J. M. Reed, C. L. Straight, R. Halley, D. R. Dean, Len. Martin, 0. Brown, S. Tallman, J. Grover, D. E. Buel, Dr. Wm. Geller, Charles St. Louis, J. W. Gashwiler, S. M. Burk and others. Ore discoveries, the convenience of wood and water, and a naturally fine location, caused the selection of the town site. Belmont was most prosperous in 1866-67, and again in 1873-74, at which times it contained about 1,500 inhabitants. Its streets are partially shaded by maples, locusts and Balm of Gilead trees. The nearest towns are these: Barcelona, eight miles west; Jefferson, fourteen miles north; Hot Creek, thirty-five miles easterly, and Tybo about the same distance southeasterly. Nut pine, cedar and mountain mahogany are obtained from the surrounding hills. At present the town contains four stores, two saloons, five restaurants, one livery stable, a post-oflice, an assay office, a blacksmith shop, and about 400 inhabitants. The buildings are constructed of stone, brick, adobe and wood. The Episcopalians and Roman Catholics have organizations, and frame houses of worship. The Episcopalian Church will seat 200 persons, and the Catholic Church 150. There are no clergymen at Belmont, however. Them are four lawyers, and the extreme healthfulness of the township enables it to fare well with one physician. The number of quartz mills is three—one of five stamps, one of twenty stamps, and one of thirty stamps. The water supply is obtained from springs and wells, and is ample for general use. Merchandise is procured both from San Francisco and Chicago. Secret societies consist of one Masonic lodge and one lodge of Good Templars. A stone school house 20x24 feet in size, is capable of seating 100 pupils, but only about half that number are in attendance. The public hospital is under the management of the County Commissioners, and at present contains ten patients. The aggregate length of streets is three miles. The sidewalks are of wood and stone. Agricultural interests in the vicinity are not of an important character. Some stock-raising is carried on. In Smoky Valley are numerous hot springs, which have attracted much attention. In 1867 a weekly newspaper called the Silver Bend Weekly Reporter was established and continued in existence about two years. Another paper The Mountain Champion was published in 1868 during the election campaign, and in 1874 the Belmont Courier was established and still continues. The prices of board, and commodities in general, as they were in March, 1867, may he learned from the following extract from the Silver Bend Reporter of that time:-

For the information of persons contemplating a trip to Belmont, we append the following list of prices of various articles at this time.
Lumber per 1,000 feet, $140;
Stone wall per perch. $5;
Passage from Austin, $15;
Freight from Austin per pound, fast 4@ 5 cents, slow do 2 1/2@3;
Board per week, $10@$12;
Flour, per 100, $13;
Sugar, (crushed) per pound, 33 1/3 cents;
Coffee, 45@50 cents;
Bacon, 35@40 cents;
Wood per cord,84@$6;
Beef, 15@25 cents,
Eggs per dozen, $1.25;
Tea per pound, $@150;
Beans, 15@20 cents;
Butter, 75 cents;
Barley 9@10 cents;
Hay per ton, $75. Adobes are valueless, and there is no brick, shingles, nor shakes in the market.
-History of Nevada, 1881

We got ourselves a town!

PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT.-
David E. Buel arrived in Austin last Monday from an extended visit to the Philadelphia District, bringing in 4,150 ounces of crude bullion from his mill. The town of Belmont, where the mill is situated, is improving rapidly. At least thirty houses, of stone and adobes, are being built or finished, giving to the place a substantial and lively appearance. Colonel Burl is driving work both on the High Bridge and El Dorado; and I. C. Bateman and H. H. Allen are opening their small but valuable claim on the High Bridge. From present appearances, Belmont bids fair to be one of the most active and permanent camps in that extensive silver region.
-Gold Hill Daily News, September 21, 1866

We got ourselves a big, important town! Let's grab the county seat from Ione, shall we?

Senate bill No. 49, an Act to change the county seat of Nye county.
Mr. Haines said he should vote against the bill because it did not submit the question of the county seat to the people of Nye county.
Mr. Proctor and Mr. Monroe stated that the people of Nye were unanimous nearly in their desire to have the county seat where it was placed in the bill--at Belmont. A petition to that effect was already on the way signed by every county official. There was the seat of the population and wealth of the county. To submit it to the people would result the same, and entail a useless expense. Mr. Edwards said he should vote for the bill, satisfied that Mr. Proctor correctly represented the wishes of the people of Nye in the matter. Mr. Doron said that last year when the bill for a survey of the boundary line between Nye and Lander was up, Mr. Proctor voted for it on condition that he (Doron) would use his influence to not have the line run along Nye until they could move their then county seat (lone) within the county. Therefore he should vote for this bill. The bill passed; Mr. Haines only voting in the negative.
-Gold Hill Daily News, January 25, 1867

Ione lost the county seat to Belmont in that same year, much to their consternation, and to rub it in, Belmontians built a fine new two-story courthouse, with bricks made on site, which was finally completed in 1876 at a cost of $22,000 dollars (a mere $369,827.00 2005 dollars) Naturally, the town was fizzling out by then. The county seat was moved to Tonopah in 1905, and the Post Office skeedaddled in 1911. Even though a new mill was built in 1914, luring a post office back for a seven year stay, Belmont slipped into obscurity, after a twenty year run with over $15 million dollars worth of ore produced.

But, for now, we have things just the way we want them.

WHO SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM BELMONT.-
It will be of no use for brokers to come to Belmont. There is not an incorporated company in the district, and the miners have pretty much concluded that there shall not be. It will be of little use for lawyers to come here for people are non-litigous and honest. Of saloons and faro banks we have now already more than can well thrive. For bummers, grumblers, idlers, and non-producers generally, we have no welcome and no quarters. To industrious, honest men, with a little capital, we can freely say come on. There is a good chance to make money mining, ranching, lumbering, teaming; and mechanics of all kinds will do well.—Silver Bend Reporter.
-Gold Hill Daily News, April 6, 1867

Despite their desire for no ruffians and idlers, there was some crime.

Tragic Affair at Belmont, Nye County, Nevada.
AUSTIN, April 19.--We are indebted to the Reveille for the following account of a tragic affair at Belmont, Nye county, Nevada :
A shocking scene of ruffianism, which terminated in the killing of one man and severely wounding of another, occurred in the town of Belmont, at half-past one o'clock on the morning of Thursday, the 18th inst. A correspondent furnishes us the following particulars: Work on the mine of the Silver Bend Company, generally known as the Child & Canfield location, was suspended a week ago, which produced great dissatisfaction among the hands. It was said that the mine was closed by the orders of the Trustees in the East, while the report was rife among the workmen that had been discharged by the officers of the company to make place for Cornish miners. During last night the mob seized the person of Canfield and put him astride a rail and carried him around the town. They entered the saloons which lay in their route, retaining Canfield in his disagreeable position, drinking and amusing themselves at their and his expense. The mob of ruffians brought up finally at the High-Bridge Saloon, in which Lewis M. Bodrow, formerly City Marshal of Austin, and others, were sitting. It appears that Canfield was permitted to get off of the rail while his persecutors drank. As they prepared to resume their march with Canfield, Bodrow remarked to him that if he did not choose to get on the rail he need not. This remark gave offense to one of them named Patrick Dignen, and words ensued between them. Dignen is reported to have struck Bodrow in the face. One or other of them opened the saloon door and stepped out and fired his pistol; whereupon, almost in a second of time, from 15 to 25 shots were fired, apparently at Bodrow, as it was found there were but two shots out of his pistol. The poor fellow received a number of fatal wounds. One shot entered his right side and passed through his body, and another entered his back below the point of his right shoulder. He received two frightful wounds from a knife, one of which penetrated the groin to the depth of four or five inches. Dignen is shot through the right lung and in the right arm, and it is very doubtful whether he can survive. Bodrow was conscious until within a few minutes of his death, which occurred at half-past four, three hours after he was wounded. We have not yet examined his body, and do not know but that more wounds may be found. There are eight bullet holes through his coat, besides a knife cut behind. In the midst of the shooting Canfield was taken off to a secure place by some friends. Bodrow was from Marlboro, Mass., and leaves brothers living. He was unmarried. Bodrow met his death in defense of right, and while protesting against cowardly ruffianism, and his memory will be cherished by brave and fearless men everywhere. He had been a fireman at Austin, and due respect will be paid to his remains.
-Gold Hill Daily News, April 22, 1867

The Late Affair at Belmont, Nev.
AUSTIN, April 21.—By the arrival of the stage from Belmont we have obtained later intelligence regarding the recent tragic affair that occurred there. John P. Dignen died of his wounds at fifteen minutes past eight o'clock P. M. on Thursday. Through the inefficiency or criminal negligence of the officers, the parties engaged in the late riot, after being permitted to walk the streets without arrest, have finally, and at their leisure, when popular feeling began to rise and the public voice clamored for their punishment, made their escape unpursued.
-Gold Hill Daily News, April 24, 1867

MATTERS IN BELMONT
A letter received last night from Belmont says : The organization of citizens is now complete, and eight mounted and armed men are scouring the country in search of the four scoundrels who were engaged in the attempted robbery of Canfield and the subsequent killing of Bodrow, and who are still at large. A jail has been fitted up in the cellar of the build-ing of the Combination Company, in which are confined Bob Russell and Adam Bender, who were concerned in the infamous outrage upon Mr. R. B. Canfield. The sum of $2,000 has been subscribed to the organization of citizens, and the town has awakened to a sense of its danger. There was an exciting time when Russell and Bender were taken to the jail, as it was rumored that the Vigilance Committee were going to hang them, and a great gathering of armed men for and against such a course took place in our streets. During the night a double guard of armed men were placed around the jail to prevent a rescue. But no attempt was made, and the night passed quietly.—R. R. Reveille 24th inst.
-Gold Hill Daily News, April 27, 1867

We got it and we're not giving it back!

The Reveille says that the effort of citizens of Ione City, Nye county, to restrain the moving of the county seat to Belmont, has proven abortive. The change will therefore be made according to law at the time set, namely 15th instant.
-Gold Hill Daily News, May 7, 1867

Even though, by this time, Belmont was well into its decline, there was always hope.

WILL REVIVE
We have good reason for saying that the business of Belmont- once the lively and promising town of Silver Bend district-- will be revived this summer, to increase and flourish permanently. In the possession of valuable mines, wood, water, and every advantage for mining and reduction works, and one of the most agreeable climates in all the State, the district of Silver Bend can hardly be excelled. Untoward circumstances have kept it backward, but we feel satisfaction in saying these causes no longer exist, and that pleasant Belmont will revive and take its position in the van with important mining towns in Nevada - Reese River Reveille.
Gold Hill Daily News, March 26, 1870

Every mining camp fears fire, no matter how big. While never experiencing the town-destroying, existence threatening fires of other localities, this one must have stung.

FIRE AT BELMONT
The Belmont Brewery and two adjoining buildings were burned at 2 o'clock yesterday morning. A high wind prevailed at the time and it was [xxxx] by strenuous efforts that the town was saved. Losses about $3,000. Incendiarism is supposed to be the cause.
-Nevada State Journal, February 1, 1880

What goes around comes around. Belmont is about to lose its status as county seat, this time, to bigger and more active Tonopah.

County Seat Fight
The fight to remove the county seat from Belmont to Tonopah promises to be a bitter one in the oncoming legislature. The Appeal can see no object in having a fight at all. Tonopah is the place to have county seat of Nye and it should he move without a dissenting vote. Belmont is away on the outside so far as being convenient to a center of population goes, and there certainly can be no good reason advanced why the county seat should not be in Tonopah The bill will very likely pass both houses and be signed by the Governor, as in our opinion is should.
-Daily Appeal,. January 1,1905

But wait! We're coming back!

BELMONT AGAIN TO THE FRONT
MONITOR COMPANY IS BUILDING MILL IN FAMOUS OLD CAMP
Norman E. Smith, engineer in charge of the construction of the new plant of the Monitor Belmont Mining company at Belmont, in Nye county, spent Monday in Goldfield en route to the southern end of Nye county to examine the property of the Pioneer Consolidated. He says the sacrifice sale price of silver will not alter the intention of the Monitor to consummate plans for bringing old Belmont hack to the producing column. The power line connecting Belmont with Manhattan, built at a cost of $15,000, is in operation, he said. A brick mill has been established to furnish building material and the walls of the new mill are going up rapidly. It is expected the mine and mill will be in active operation by June 15.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, January 23, 1915

OK, can we have our post office back now, please?

MONITOR-BELMONT INSTALLS NEW MILL
FIRST UNIT WILL HAVE CAPACITY OF 200 TONS DAILY The new mill being installed by the Monitor Belmont Mining company. the property of which is located at Belmont, Nye county, about 30 miles north of Tonopah, will be in operation by Aug. 1, according to N. E. Smith, superintendent, who is in Salt Lake purchasing the equipment, says the Salt Lake Tribune. The first unit, which will have been constructed by that time, will have a capacity of 200 tons per day. It will be built alongside the present dump on the property which contains about 50,000 tons of ore running between 16 and 18 ounces in silver to the ton. The Monitor Belmont company has bought six properties and now owns 21 patented claims. These consist of those owned formerly by the Monitor Belmont company owned by J. B. Hagin, the Belmont Mining company, the High Bridge Mining company, the Eldorado Mining company, the Moore and Martin and the Silver Bend Mining company. When the company took over the property the management found the mill plants in a state of wreck. One plant had been hauled into the district from Sacramento by ox teams in 1865. The new mill will consist of ten 1,600 - pound stamps and a 6x10 tube mill. The concentrating will be done by flotation. In discussing the difficulties in hauling the tube mill to camp, Mr. Smith said that it required 18 horses eight days to make the trip from Tonopah, a distance of about 30 miles.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, July 3, 1915

By 1922, Belmont had lost its post office again. In 1930, the census shows only about 30 people living here. William Meany was listed as "prospector" and just about everyone else engaged in farming or ranching.


As often happened in mining towns, the completion of the courthouse coincided with a drop in the mining production. In 1876, the year the $34,000 county building was completed, mineral production dropped to $11,000. Mining boomed for a bit during 1883 and 1885 but was at a standstill between 1886 and 1889. The majority of the 150 population left in Belmont were people involved in the county duties. In 1903 many miners moved to Tonopah, the latest bonanza in mining, and in 1905 Tonopah won the county seat. The Belmont post office was abandoned in 1911. In 1914 new interest came to Belmont with the building of a 10-stamp, 100-ton flotation mill — it failed in two years. For years Belmont had occasional outbursts of activity, but mostly it had become and remained a ghost town. Belmont had a life span of approximately 20 years. Within that time it became the county seat and produced $15,000,000 in mineral production. The courthouse operated only for 10 of those 20 years and remains erect and tall as if it should be in use today.
-https://web.archive.org/web/20120215182306/http://parks.nv.gov/parks/belmont-courthouse/

[clang] Bring out your dead!
CUSTOMER: Here's one -- nine pence.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not dead!
MORTICIAN: What?
CUSTOMER: Nothing -- here's your nine pence.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not dead!
MORTICIAN: Here -- he says he's not dead!
CUSTOMER: Yes, he is.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not!
MORTICIAN: He isn't.
CUSTOMER: Well, he will be soon, he's very ill.
DEAD PERSON: I'm getting better!
CUSTOMER: No, you're not -- you'll be stone dead in a moment.
MORTICIAN: Oh, I can't take him like that -- it's against regulations.

            -Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975)

Not unlike the recalcitrant dead man in the movie, Belmont isn't quite dead yet. In 1974 Nye County gave the courthouse to the State- who as you know has plenty of cash for these kinds of things- to maintain and turn into a State Park. There are a handful of people living in Belmont year 'round, and more who stay over the summer to enjoy the 7400' altitude. The town is a mixture of crumbling old buildings, restored structures, and new houses with the latest in solar and wind technologies. The B&B-- the web site of which is no longer up-- is in the former offices of the Combination Silver Mining Company; the building was also used as a stage stop in the 1880's.

The nice thing about Belmont is that you can get there easily without scraping the barnacles off the bottom of your car- it's paved much of the way, and the short hop from Manhattan to Belmont is smooth, graded dirt road that is used frequently. Or, as frequently as you would expect a road to be used way out here.

While most if not all of the historical buildings are on private property, you can carefully nose around and see quite a bit. A new church was donated and built to replace the old one that was moved to Manhattan in the early 1900's. This is one "ghost town" where you can bring the kids, stay overnight at the Belmont Inn, and and then drive back home the next day. (UPDATE: I don't know if the Belmont Inn is open any more. But I think the saloon is.) You'll want to, because it's in the middle of nowhere. On second thought, I suppose Belmontians might dispute that description. Anyway, the big historical attraction here is, of course, the courthouse; however, you can only look at the outside and viewings are limited. Call the Fallon Regional H.Q. of the Division of State Parks at (775) 867-3001 for more information.

Be sure to visit the cemetery- it's in one of the most picturesque settings in Nevada. In fact, the entire town is one of the most picturesque settings in Nevada. There is also what appears to be an Indian cemetery north of town, but it's run down and neglected.