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

Lady Guardian of Old Belmont

Rose Walter

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

1. Lady Guardian of Old Belmont Marker

Inscription. The grand old building to the left, once known as the Philadelphia House was built by the Combination Silver Mining Company of New York in 1866. Constructed of native stone acquired from a nearby quarry, the building served as headquarters for mine operations, living quarters for the Superintendent, and for a brief period a temporary Sheriff's office and courthouse during the early glory days of Belmont. During this time, Belmont grew to a population of several thousand and over a 20 year span yielded 15,000,000 dollars in mineral production.

Afterwards, the building had various residents, one of which was a tall, tough woman with severe blue eyes named Rose Walter. Born in Barley Creek, Nevada, Rose lived in Belmont as a young girl. She later married Jack, a miner, who succumbed to silicosis in the early 1950's. Not wanting to leave Belmont after his death, she remained for another thirty years, eventually becoming the sole permanent resident and self appointed protector of Belmont. Rose carried a .44 caliber pistol which she used to dispatch rattlesnakes ("I aim for the head and never miss") and dissuade human scavengers

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from plundering what was left of Belmont. "These old houses, such as they are, still belong to someone somewhere", she is quoted as saying.

Known as the "Belmont Guardian" because of her diligent protection of town property, Rose Walter died in 1987 at the age of 93. Her photo can be found in the June, 1974 issue of National Geographic.

Erected 2012 by The Dumbellican Brotherhood of E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 38° 35.767′ N, 116° 52.467′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, Nevada, in Nye County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Route 82) and Belmont Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Belmont is 16 miles from Manhattan, Nevada, and 46 miles from Tonopah, Nevada. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manhattan NV 89022, 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

Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

2. Marker Dedication

Members of the Dumbellican Brotherhood of E Clampus Vitus gather around as their first monument is dedicated.

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 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Belmont (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Belmont Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Monitor-Belmont Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Belmont (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Marker is made with native rocks from Belmont and lettered with actual silver. The marker is on the base of a flagpole.

Also see . . .
1. A Photo Gallery of Belmont, Nevada. (Submitted on October 11, 2012.)
2. Belmont - A Nevada Ghost Town. (Submitted on October 11, 2012.)

Lady Guardian of Old Belmont image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Halsey, 1973

3. Lady Guardian of Old Belmont

Rose Walter in her garden, smiling while greeting visitors.

Flagpole base with marker installed image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

4. Flagpole base with marker installed

Flagpole and marker are next to the slowly decaying fire engine in Belmont. An old drill rig can be seen in the background as well as some of the remains of the rock buildings that made up Main Street in Belmont.

Rose Walter and Sarah image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1955

5. Rose Walter and Sarah

Rose and Sarah were the last residents of Belmont after Rose's husband passed away in 1953. Sarah, a Native American woman passed away a few years later leaving Rose as the only permanent resident of Belmont for nearly 30 years. Aged 61 in 1955, she stayed as watchdog for the town into her 90's.

A view from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

6. A view from the marker

A view up the hill from the marker. The Belmont Courthouse can be seen on the right.

Indian Maggie's Saloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

7. Indian Maggie's Saloon

The saloon is attached to the Belmont Inn (Combination Mine building) and was built around 1866. This building once housed the local newspaper, the Belmont Currier from 1874 to 1901

Wagon Wheel leaning against the Belmont Inn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

8. Wagon Wheel leaning against the Belmont Inn

Originally built in 1866 for the mining company that started the town, the building is now the Belmont Inn.

Belmont Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

9. Belmont Bank

The facade of the original bank building still stands in Belmont, the rest of the building has collapsed

Old scraper, miner's cabins and water tank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 21, 2012

10. Old scraper, miner's cabins and water tank

A decaying road scraper sits below a hill with 2 rock miner's cabins along with a water tank on the hill above Belmont Street.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

11. Rock Ruins

One of many rock buildings in arrested decay in Belmont.

Philadelphia House – Belmont Inn in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Elke Schmadicke, April 4, 2025

12. Philadelphia House – Belmont Inn in 2025

The Belmont Inn, formerly the Combination Mine building built in 1867 image. Click for full size.

13. The Belmont Inn, formerly the Combination Mine building built in 1867

Rose Walter lived here until 1965. The building was later purchased and remodeled as a bed and breakfast now known as the Belmont Inn.

Belmont, Nevada image. Click for full size.

circa 1900

14. Belmont, Nevada

Photo hangs inside Indian Maggie's bar in Belmont. It shows the town as it looked before the mines closed down.

Nye County Courthouse in Belmont image. Click for full size.

1881

15. Nye County Courthouse in Belmont

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 2,312 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on September 18, 2023, by Richard Halsey of San Diego, California. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 12. submitted on May 27, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 13, 14, 15. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.