Belmont was founded in 1865, with mining claims in the area. In 1867, Belmont won the county seat of Nye County. By 1868, it boasted a population of over 2,000. It had a famous music hall known as the "Cosmopolitan." Many stars of entertainment from this era, entertained here.
One significant event took palce in Belmont in 1874. Two strangers by the names of Charlie McIntyre and Jack Walker, had a confrontation with a local citizen named H.H. Sutherland. A gunfight erupted and Sutherland was wounded. The two strangers were arrested and jailed. They managed to escape, but were recaptured in two days. later that night, a vigilante group broke into the jail and lynched the two men in the basement of the jail.
By the mid 1880's Belmont had already seen its best days. Within that 20 year period, it had produced $15 million in silver and lead. The mines soon dried up and the people packed up and moved on.
To get to Belmont, start in Manhattan. Continue east on the unpaved road. It probably about a 15 to 20 mile drive.
The ghost town of Mnahattan is perched at an altitude of 7,000 feet, on the side of Bald Mountain. Manhattan had its beginning in the 1860's. It was a mining town, and the mines produced until the 1890's. The the town started to dry up. It had a second wind in 1900, with the discovery of "Jewelry Ore." This period of activity only lasted until 1905. In 1905, Manhattan had a population of about 500. But after 1905, the population started dwindling down again.
There are still a few good buildings that remain from its heyday. Manhattan is located north of Tonopah. From Tonopah, take Highway 6 east 6 miles to Highway 376. Take Highway 376 north for about 35 miles to Highway 377. At Highway 377, turn right (east) and go a few miles to Manhattan.
