Belleville Mill-Mineral County Nevada

Highway 360

Belleville was founded in 1873 or 1874 and its primary industry was the mill processing ore from the Northern Belle Mine at Candelaria. Its first bullion bar shipment of $9,200 was made in April 1875. The town was famed for a “Wild West” atmosphere; murders, drunken brawls, and “sporting” practical jokes were commonplace. When the Carson and Colorado Railroad reached the town in 1882 its population was 500, and the town was served by a doctor, assay office, express office, telegraph station, livery stable, school, two hotels, restaurants, and blacksmith shops as well as by seven saloons.

The post office was in operation from December 1874 until 1894. By 1892 water piped to Candelaria allowed the ore to be milled nearer the mine, and Belleville was deserted except for a brief revival from 1915 until 1918 during which time a post office was in operation.

Above from: Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. State Historical Marker No. 154.

A large town for the workers was situated in the flats in front of the mill near the present highway360. All traces of the town and buildings are gone. Some cabins dug into the hillside near the mill remain.

The Carson and Colorado Railroad spur tracks were at the top of the long curved wall to allow dumping the ore from the mine at Candelaria into the mill. The Narrow Gage RR ran 300 miles from Moundhouse Nevada (meeting the Virginia & Truckee RR there)to Keeler Califormia

The stone and brick work here is incredible. 200’ + long curving 50’ high walls. The amount of time and labor required just for the mill construction is worth the trip to see

For an excellent research article by Austin at Nevada Expeditions click link below: https://www.nvexpeditions.com/mineral/belleville.php

September 22, 3021 Copyright