You didn't think I meant that place back east, did you?

Belmont, Nevada was another of central Nevada's silver towns. Formed in 1865, the town became the Nye County seat in 1867. By the 1870s, it was a major mining town with a population of at least 2000 people - some estimates suggest 15,000 people.

As the major town in the area, it held multiple stores, saloons (it's not a town without a saloon), restaurants, banks, two newspapers, and probably a bawdy house or two ... until about 1887 when enough of the mines had closed and the population dwindled. In 1905, the county seat moved to the new town Tonopah (founded 1901), another silver town.

Several structures still stand ... except the 1874 St Stephens Catholic church which - after being abandoned by 1901 when Belmont faded away - was moved 20 miles to Manhattan.

Manhattan had been established in 1867 with the silver boom of that year but abandoned by 1871. Kick-started into life again in 1905 during a gold rush when 4000 people came to the area, Manhattan itself became a major town (for that era).

In 1908, the abandoned church at Belmont was moved to Manhattan and re-consecrated as the Sacred Heart Mission.

Like most mining towns in Nevada, the mines eventually played out, the population moved away, and the church was once again abandoned by 1953.

The town was never fully abandoned; the current population is a bit over 100 people. A saloon and hotel are still active as are some minor mining efforts.

The church is abandoned but a tight eye is kept on the building. The structure is in good shape, the stained glass windows are still intact, and preservation efforts continue, albeit slowly.

Both Manhattan and Belmont are worth a visit should one find themselves with time in central Nevada wondering what to do.

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