Have you ever been driving down a desolate road and wondered where it goes? It winds its way off into the distance of empty rolling hills. The tarmac ends, a dirt track cuts through the middle, and there are no signs of life or vehicles. These roads excite us because treasures are awaiting, like Belmont Ghost Town.
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Neither one of us knew what to expect and to be honest, it was a last-minute decision to stop at Belmont Ghost Town. We are so thrilled we took this detour.
HISTORY OF BELMONT GHOST TOWN
Belmont was established in 1865 in Nye County, Nevada, as a silver mining town. Other minerals such as copper and lead were also mined from the surrounding mountains.
At the town’s peak, there were 2,000 inhabitance, four stores, two saloons, five restaurants, a livery stable, a post office, an assay office, a bank, a school, a telegraph office, two newspapers, and a blacksmith shop.
WHAT’S LEFT IN BELMONT today?
On entering the town, the first thing we saw was an old smokestack on the left side of the road, surrounded by a few well looked after homes.

According to the leaflet, this is part of the Monitor Mill which had been in operation during the 1870s and 80s. It closed in 1889.
We pulled into a small dirt parking lot in the centre of town directly across from the saloon, ‘Dirty Dicks.’
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Armed with our camera and water bottles, we planned to explore. But no sooner had we closed the doors to the truck; some people approached us, and the conversations flowed like we had known them for years.
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We spent about an hour in the bar chatting with our “new friends”. Gleening an enormous amount of information about the town and its nine full-time residence.
Promising to return later that afternoon, we left to investigate the rest of the town.
Next door to the saloon is a small, restored cabin.

The couple who own it invited us in to have a look around. As far as they know, the larger of the rooms housed a lawyer, while the other a miner.

Both of the rooms are furnished with period pieces and are rented out like an Air B&B. The only downside is there is no loo! The nearest “facility” is across the road.

It’s a fab place and one that both of us would be happy to spend a couple of nights. Having no bathroom adds to the “old-time” experience.
The Bank Building – c1868
The ruins of the bank reminded us of the little town of Rhyolite.

This single-storey brick building, built in 1868 also has a basement. For many years it operated as the bank, later being converted into a courtroom and Sheriff’s office. The basement was used to house criminals and functioned as jail cells.
Two men, Jack Walker and Charles McIntyre lost their lives by hanging on this spot.
The Top End of Belmont Ghost Town
We continued up Main Street to our favourite spot in the town. Starting with the Philidelphia House/Combination building which was stunning, and connects to the Belmont Courier and then the Tasker Oddie House.
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This area of the town overlooks a small park area, and meandering stream next to historic houses and is incredible. There is such a serene feeling that fills the air here it’s contagious.
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Philadelphia House
Philidelphia House, built in 1867, is one of the only buildings which has been continuously inhabited. Initially, it housed the superintendent and offices for the Combination Mining Company.
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It became the private residence of attorney George Roscoe Williams not long after construction when the mining company filed for bankruptcy. Mr Williams remained here until 1879. Since then, it has had several owners even being converted into a guest house.
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Although still privately owned, it remains vacant.
Belmont Courier 1874 – 1901
This building was once the Belmont Inn Bar and also the newspaper printing office. The paper continued to operate until 1901 when the doors closed, and the press printed its final article.
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The Historic Belmont Courthouse
The largest draw still today has to be the original Belmont Courthouse, which held none other than the infamous Charles Manson. His name is carved into one of the door frames inside.
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Can you believe this gorgeous building still stands from 1876 and cost $22,000 to build? Using the inflation calculator that equates to $534,411 today.
Peering in the windows, you must pause and realize what it is you’re looking at. The historical graffiti on the walls, the people who walked these floors who lived and died. All of it took place long before we took our first breath. These little glimpses into the past are incredibly crucial for us to understand where we’ve come from, and where we want to go.

Behind the building sits the original jail cells. Once these cells sat inside the Courthouse. In the early 1900s, they were removed and shipped to Tonapah before being returned to their rightful place in Belmont many years later.

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Ernst House
This wooden house, built sometime in the 1870s was the home of the surveyor, George Ernst, his wife Ellen Mary Hinton and their family.
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Now dilapidated and overgrown, it still makes for an exceptionally picturesque spot.
Many of these buildings are now owned privately or by the historical society.
The Belmont Church
Heading further up the hill, Belmont Church stands proudly overlooking the town.
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This is a replica built in 2001. The original Church constructed in 1872 was relocated, lock stock and pew to the town of Manhattan in 1906.
Flotation and Combination Mills
On the eastern edge of town heading down into the Monitor Valley lie the remains of the Floatation and Combination Mills. The first is on the right-hand side looking down into a small outcrop.
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These are the ruins of the Floatation Mill, built in 1915 with salvaged bricks from the Combination Mill which is a little further along the road.
The Floatation Mill had a short lifespan of just three years. In 1918 it became inactive.
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Only one of the two large smokestacks of the Combination Mill remain today.
This forty stamp mill built in 1867 closed a year later. It was refurbished a decade later running one more year before being shut down permanently with its machinery being moved to the Gold Mountain camp in 1880.
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Fun Fact
There is an interesting side story we were told about. It is said that the bullet holes at the very top of the remaining stack were put there by one Mr Chuck Yeager. Rumour has it he used these as target practice on many of his flight training missions.
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The Belmont Cemetery
Our last stop for the day was the cemetery. The white picket fence should give you an indication of how they treat their dearly departed.
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The smell of freshly cut flowers and distant rain floating upon the gentle breeze under the darkening skies. With the sun setting over the distant mountains it made the whole experience feel more significant.
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During 1869 the first residents came here to rest. At the base of the mountain, they are surrounded by juniper, pine and sagebrush.
Sadly, there are dozens of children’s graves from the mining era. Due to illness, epidemics, lack of medicines and hygiene, the death toll was high.
Belmont Cemetery is still in use today. The tranquil setting makes you want to take your time and wander. It is, by far, one of the prettiest and well-kempt graveyards we have seen.
OUR TAKEAWAY
Belmont is one of those small towns that leaves you smiling. Why? Not just the beautiful buildings, it’s the people.
We, as a society, are being desensitized slowly and deliberately.
When was the last time you sat with a group of friends, swapped stories, laughed and really felt good about yourself? What about with a group of complete strangers, who made you feel right at home?
There is a lot of darkness in the world, and it can become overwhelming at times. We are all guilty of allowing it to take over. And it may seem misplaced to add this here, but it’s not. Belmont was a friendly wake-up call; it is incredible what a good conversation and an act of kindness can do.
We did return to ‘Dirty Dicks’ later in the day and met up with our new-found friends. Several hours passed with the telling of jokes, stories of hunting and more history about the town.
We will be returning to this area again, probably many times.
IN A NUTSHELL
- The town of Belmont is off-grid. There are no amenities including electricity, food, gas or water
- The nearest town is Tonapah to the south 48 miles away
- Eurika and HWY 50, to the north, is accessible through Monitor Valley. 4×4 high clearance is advisable
- Make sure your tank is full, and you have plenty of water, snacks and food
- There is a well-graded dirt road
- The FREE campsite on the edge of town is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is accessible to RVs and trailers
- Although not a structured site, there is plenty of room for 50+ tents or rigs
- Pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are scattered
- It is very beautiful with lots of shade and large boulders
location map
Explore, have fun and put another Pin In The Atlas!

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