Belmont
Long before the Shoshone Indians came to this area of Nevada
where Belmont now lies, prehistoric peoples lived here. The Shoshone visited the area for their jackrabbit drives and ceremonial gatherings. The discovery of silver ore in 1865 attracted miners and the lovely town of Belmont was established. It was a great location with an abundance of wood and water sources and lots of shade trees for homes to nestle under.
It was a rather lively town when the English and Irish feuds flared up and that happened quite often. So, any ghosts that may still be there will probably be happy to have you come and join sides with them. I mean party, party, party -- if you like that kind of life -- I guess I should say, afterlife.
Belmont in Nye County, is listed in the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, which means the town is quite important and therefore your status as a ghostly resident will be upgraded -- that ought to lift your spirits.
Cobre
Cobre is a little ghost town in Elko County, Nevada. Just a handcar
shed and an engine house is all that is left standing in what was once a railroad interchange point. You can spiff either building up a bit, or just enjoy the rustic atmosphere as is. The choice is yours -- for you will be the only one there.The town, or what there is left of it, is located at the former interchange point between the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Nevada Northern Railway. When construction of the Nevada Northern began in 1905 that is when the town was built. No trains go through the town now, nothing does except the desert winds and maybe a coyote or jackrabbit occasionally.
Cobre is the Spanish word for copper. The NNR was sent there to serve the copper mines and smelter near Ely, Nevada. By 1910 Cobre was a bustling town for all of 60 residents. When the automobile came along, the railroads abandoned the station in Cobre, so people started leaving and moved on to Ely or elsewhere.
Seems like Cobre was never really crowded, but not everyone needs crowds around them all the time. Oh, I know. I understand perfectly -- life is often a crapshoot and you need time alone for awhile to reflect on what was. So, reaching the stage where you just want to get away by yourself to contemplate, and relax can be a wonderful experience. Enjoy your peace and quiet for awhile away from all the hysteria of loud haunting.
Gold Point
Gold Point, Nevada is in Esmeralda County. (Esmeralda...I think she
was a friend of the Hunchback) Established in 1861, Esmeralda is one of Nevada's original counties.Sometime in the 1880s ranchers and miners settled the town of Gold Point. The miners established a small camp just a short distance from the town. The camp was called Lime Point due to an outcropping of limestone at the site.
New discoveries of gold and silver in nearby Tonopah and Goldfield enticed a lot of miners to the area and many of them revived the Lime Point camp. That showed no profit for them since little water was available there and milling had to be done 250 miles north at Unionville. Mining did not produce enough silver ore and the shipping costs did not make it profitable. So, the camp was abandoned.
Off and on over the years, mining was attempted again and again, but just did not pay off for anyone -- not until a miner in 1927 stumbled upon something even better. J.W. Dunfee had found gold! In a few short years, more gold than silver came up from the mine. The town then became known as Gold Point and was a very successful little town. World War II put an end to the mining days for many and Gold Point eventually became a ghost town.
There are still some fine looking buildings there in fairly good shape, with about 50 buildings still standing, including the post office that is now a museum. The Post Office Museum is open on most weekends and for large parties. Memorial Day Weekend is the annual Chili Cook-Off that provides lots of events, food, and fun. For a few days of the year, the population soars to 400 -- so, lots of activity going on then. RV hook-ups, western reenactment and gunfights in the plaza, you might even enter the chili cook-off and win some prizes.
There is a local legend that the town is frequented by the headless ghost of the last woman to die in Gold Point. This accident occurred when the mine was being taken apart and a support beam collapsed and fell on the poor lady. More than likely, she will be happy to welcome you to her town. That should get you ahead! Atmosphere and location is here at Gold Point.
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All images are either in Public Domain or Creative Commons. Image credits can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Nevada
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