Like many things in Nevada, Belmont Ghost Town is in the middle of nowhere. Although the silver mining town of Belmont only prospered for about 20 years, a few notable points of interest exist, including the best-preserved building, the courthouse.
This high desert town had two saloons, restaurants, a post office, a bank, a school, and enough residents to support two newspapers.
At the height of the silver mining boom, Belmont had over 10,000 town folk. Like many other towns, the town soon emptied when the mine played out. From 1876 to 1905, Belmont was the county seat of Nye County, Nevada, with a fine two-story brick courthouse that still stands today.
During its peak, Belmont produced over $15 million of silver and other ores. Six mills operated nonstop, processing the ore into bars of silver to be shipped down the valley to Tonopah.
Things to see in Belmont Ghost Town
Belmont Ghost Town still has many residents, although they may not live year-round in the ghost town. Dirty Dicks Saloon is occasionally open, and even if it’s not, the Saloon is a great place to take a photo to prove you made the trek all the way out to Belmont.
Another business in town is a five-bedroom bed & breakfast open during the summer. Belmont Ghost Town was not always as quiet as it is today. The city had its share of murders, lynchings, and the occasional gunfight on the main street. Being out in the middle of nowhere, there was not too much for the miners to do other than work, drink, and fight.
Belmont Nevada Boom and Bust
By 1889, most businesses and people had left town to chase after the latest gold or silver discovery. The few companies left included the drugstore, brewery, and Saloon A stagecoach still served the town for another year before it went out of business.
By 1911, Belmont’s population was less than 50, with no working mines, and there was very little reason for the remaining folks to stay. By 1911, Belmont’s population was less than 50, with no working mines, and there was very little reason for the remaining folks to visit.
There was a minor comeback in 1914 when a mill was reconstructed to process mine tailings and ore from three small mines. The mini-boom lasted until 1922 when the remaining ore was all processed, and no new deposits could be found. Belmont Ghost Town is a fantastic place to visit in Nevada, with quite a few structures in various stages of decay.
The most impressive building is the courthouse followed up by the restored Combination Mining Company that now serves as a bed & breakfast. One of the most photographed buildings in town, until is, was destroyed by vandals in late 1980 and is now a pile of timbers and broken stone blocks.
Getting to Belmont Ghost Town
Belmont Courthouse State Historical Park is 46 miles from Tonopah, Nevada. Before making the journey, ensure your vehicle is in good working order and carry all the supplies you need or think you may need.
As I recall, Charles Manson carved his name in the Belmont Courthouse door jamb in 1969.
I found this in an article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal: