Belleville

Belleville existed to do Candelaria's milling where the water was. Built starting in 1873 about eight miles off, at a site with water enough to run large mills, it crushed the silver ore the dry camp uphill couldn't process itself. For a decade the stamps thudded day and night. Then a pipeline carried water to Candelaria in 1882, milling moved back to the mines, and Belleville faded. One footnote outlived the town: a young George Nixon, later a United States senator, began his career as the narrow-gauge depot's station agent and telegrapher here.

What the plaque says

Founded in 1873, Belleville flourished by milling the ore from the Northern Belle Mine in 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 1882. 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's 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.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Candelaria and Metallic City — 9.7 mi
• Columbus — 14 mi
• Silver Peak — 26 mi
• Carson and Colorado R.R. Freight Depot — 32 mi