Belleville

"(#154) I don't say this about a lot of places, but truthfully there isn't a whole lot here. And I'm sure my conscience will kick my ass when I get back." -- June 2009

[154]       

At the junction of SR 360 and Marietta Road, 14.3 miles south of Mina

Mineral
  38.222843, -118.180422

Original Date Visited: 6/27/09
Revisited: 3/24/22
Signed: Two severely faded signs are on both lanes of SR 360

Notes: Welcome to west-central Nevada: the home of wild burros, vast stark vistas, and long drive times. Marker 154 is one of the more remote markers in the system, and yes ... while it's fair to say that Nevada's rural markers are all indeed remote, there are still a few wild ones that require a decent amount of time to conquer properly. This is one of them being absolutely nowhere near anything and just well enough off the beaten path, in this case SR 360.

According to Average Daily Traffic records by the Nevada Department of Transportation (2022), State Route 360 sees only 364-450 cars per day. The little two lane highway is little more than a fast cutoff from US 95 to US 6 westbound to the Eastern Sierra, and will likely be the only time you'll ever need to use this isolated highway. Top off your tank in either Tonopah (1.25 hours south), Bishop (CA) (1.75 hours southwest), or Hawthorne (1 hour north) and soak in that lovely loneliness!

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Founded in 1873, Belleville flourished by millin the ore from the Northern Belle Mine at Candelaria. The mill located just east of here made its first bullion bar shipment ($9,200) in April 1875.

Belleville was famous for murders, drunken brawls, "sporting", and practical jokes. It was also the terminus and work camp of the Carson and Colorado Railroad that reached town in 1862. At that time, Belleville's population peaked at about 500 and included an assay office, an express office, a telegraph station, a livery stable, a schoolhouse, two hotels, several restaurants and blacksmith shops,and seven saloons.

By the late 1880's, pipes delivered water to Candelaria and allowed local mills to begin operation reducing the need for shipping costs. Belleville could not survive the competition and was deserted by 1892.

For such an important company town, especially knowing that it supplied much of Candelaria's sustenance, there's not a lot left of Belleville. What you'll find is easily visible in the distance directly behind the marker. All that's required is a quick ten minute walk to the ruins and tailings. If you spend some sifting the tailings piles, you can come away with some really spiffy rockhounding opportunities. This area is so deliciously remote you'll have nothing standing in your way. Enjoy!

Discovering Belleville

Interstate 95 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

SILVER PEAK (DISCOVERED IN 1863)

Related Links & Markers:

 - 92 - Candelaria & Metallic City   - 237 - Carson & Colorado Railroad Depot   Nevada Towns: Belleville   Belleville (Western Mining History) 

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