Looking for people who want to go on a campaign trip at the campground in Belleville, CA. (the old ghost town North of Big Bear) Please text 213-948-3165 if this sounds interesting. For more information on the camp grounds, click here.
Belleville, California was a small town located in San Bernardino County, about an hour east of Los Angeles. It was founded in the mid-1800s during the California Gold Rush. The town was originally called Holcomb Valley, named after the Holcomb family who settled there in 1859. Then, in 2017, I bought a home in Big Bear City which use to be a part of the area known as Belleville, California. Matter-of-fact, I made a movie called, "Belleville" (click here to watch the film now) which has everything to do with Belleville, Illinois and not Belleville, California. Now here is the twist, I was born in Bellevile, Illinois and plan to retired in what was Belleville, California. Coincidence? I think not.
The gold rush brought a large influx of miners to the area, and Belleville, CA grew quickly. Soon it had a store, two butcher shops, two laundries, a bakery, three carpenter shops, two blacksmiths, a stamp mill and a sawmill. It also had several saloons and the Octagon House, featuring dancers who entertained the miners. The many rough and single men made it a violent place. By 1862, Holcomb Valley had 50 murders. A large hanging tree was designated where many men paid for their crimes.
In 1864, the town was renamed Belleville after the French word for “beautiful town”. The name was chosen by the postmaster, who was from France. The town continued to grow and by the late 1800s it had a population of over 1,000 people.
Belleville was an important stop on the Butterfield Stage Line, which ran from St. Louis to San Francisco. The stage line brought many travelers to the town, and it also served as a mail route.
In the early 1900s, Belleville was a thriving mining town. It had several mines, including the Belleville Mine, which produced gold, silver and copper. The town also had several hotels, stores and saloons.
In the 1920s, the mining industry began to decline and many of the mines closed. The population of Belleville dropped to just over 500 people.
Coincidence or not? Belleville, CA is a small town with a rich history. It has seen its share of violence and tragedy, but it has also seen its share of prosperity and growth. It is a reminder of the days of the California Gold Rush and a testament to the resilience of its people.
To learn more about Belleville, Illinois, click here. You can celebrate Belleville, California by purchasing a shirt on Amazon by clicking here or visiting by car. You can even camp in Belleville, CA overnight.
Attn: This is a progressive article that will continue to update as new information is learned. If you have additional information you'd like to add, please add your comments below.
