Belmont

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 20, 2009

1. Belmont Marker

Inscription. 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 a 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.

Erected 1971 by Nevada State Park System. (Marker Number 138.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 35.779′ N, 116° 52.555′ W. Marker was in Belmont, Nevada, in Nye County. It could be reached from Cedar Street 0.1 miles west of Main Street (Nevada Route 82), on the left when traveling west. Marker was located in front of the historic Nye County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Manhattan NV 89022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Mojave Desert

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

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Belmont Courthouse (a few steps from this marker);

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a different marker also named Belmont (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lady Guardian of Old Belmont (about 400 feet away); Monitor-Belmont Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away).

Also see . . . The Rise and Fall of Belmont, Nevada — A True Wild West Ghost Town (YT video). It appears from this Oct. 29th, 2025 Youtube video that this missing marker is located inside the courthouse. Look on left of video at 9:01. (Submitted on October 29, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional commentary.
1. Replacement Marker
The marker was removed some time around 2010 and replaced with a new marker that is located 300 feet southeast of the original marker. [See Nearby Marker] The text on the replacement marker has been modified from the original and reads:

Belmont sits at an elevation of 7400 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
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 20, 2009

2. Belmont Marker
Originally located in Front of the Historic Nye County Courthouse.
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.

— Submitted July 28, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

Replacement — See Nearby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paulette Nelson, July 8, 2019

3. Replacement — See Nearby Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 755 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on July 13, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada.