Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Belmont Mine Fire Mural

Dedicated November 19, 2005

Belmont Mine Fire Marker remembering Big Bill Murphy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English

1. Belmont Mine Fire Marker remembering Big Bill Murphy

Inscription. The mural you are viewing was painted by noted mural artist, Lee Bowerman of Grand Junction, Colorado and is dedicated to Nevada Mine Safety in remembrance of the Belmont Mine Fire of February 23, 1911 and the heroism of cage tender, William F. (Big Bill) Murphy. The mural depicts Big Bill's heroic attempts to rescue fellow miners from the depths of the earth where he and seventeen others lost their lives on this tragic day in the mining history of Tonopah. This mural was made possible through grants from Equatorial Mines. Inc., Nye County Commissioners and donations from interested citizens of the State of Nevada.

Erected 2005.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1718.

Location. 38° 4.045′ N, 117° 13.846′ W. Marker is in Tonopah, Nevada, in Nye County. It is on Bryan Avenue south of Main Street/Veterans Memorial Highway (U.S. 6), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tonopah NV 89049, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Central Nevada. It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Big" Bill Murphy (a few steps from this marker); Mizpah Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Suffrage Leader (about 300 feet away); Tonopah

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 500 feet away); Jim and Belle Butler (approx. 0.2 miles away); Verdi Lumber Company Coal Bin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mizpah Mine Powder Magazine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Undiscovered Silver Vein (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonopah.

"Big" Bill Murphy Marker, Sculpture, and the Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English

2. "Big" Bill Murphy Marker, Sculpture, and the Mural

The marker is at the far right.

Belmont Mine Fire Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English

3. Belmont Mine Fire Mural

Much of the mural is about Big Bill Murphy. One panel depicts the mine rescue operations.

Wm. F. Murphy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English

4. Wm. F. Murphy

Age 28, Belmont Mine Fire. Died while saving others, Feb. 23, 1911.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,379 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on January 28, 2019, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.