Gold was discovered in Holcomb Valley in 1860 by William F. Holcomb who was born in Indiana in 1831. As prospectors rush to this area in 1860 the town of Belleville was established. The town was named after the Blacksmith's baby daughter, Belle, who was the first child born there. The Blacksmith whos name was Van Duzen also built the first road into this area for $1500.00. The towns population grew to about 1500. Belleville lost an election in September of 1861 by two votes to the City of San Barnardino as to where the county seat of San Bernardino County would be located. It is estimated that miners were taking out as much as 50 onces of gold per week. Most of it came through placer workings. As the gold ran out the people left and by 1880 there were only a handful of residents left. After 1880's the valley returned to it's natural state, and Belleville became a Ghost Town. Submitted by Gary R. Salisbury.

UPDATE: I live up in Big Bear Lake, which is in the very near vicinity of Belleville. I would advise all who are considering visiting the site of Belleville to not get your hopes up. All you will be able to see are two graves (plus one I found in a field near the IS ranch building), the remains of the cabin which are minimal (a homeless person set a fire inside it quite a while back, and accidentally burned it down), and about 7 mine shafts, and a small piece of mining machinery here and there; nothing fancy or large. I don't know why a saloon is mentioned as being there. The only building still standing is a simple cabin that was brought over from the IS ranch. About the most interesting thing to find in it are all the less-than-generous people who have carved their names into the wood. Also, the hanging tree is not the original. The one in the photo may have been, but the original tree was struck by lightening at least 5 years back. The mountains have not been kind to the town. It had many rather large buildings at one time, and I believe our local paper said that a hotel existed into the 1930's. If you go to the local public library, and look for the "Bearly Remembered" column in the Grizzly Gazzete, you can learn more about the town. One more thing. If you still want to find the town, and ask a local, just say the remains out in Holcomb Valley. If you say Belleville, half of them probably won't know what you're talking about. However, if you want to see some beautiful scenery, then by all means come. It is a great area for hiking, and biking, but always be aware of Bears, and Cougars, and most of all, Rattlesnakes. The mountains are beautiful all year round, and you will see that there are many streams in the area that still hold a fair amount of gold. Be forewarned though, there are a lot of people who still live in that area that are rather touchy about people snooping around their claim. If you see a no trespassing sign, regard it as "This property guarded by Smith & Wesson". Grant Houston

When a victim of a hanging was finally cut down, the branch from which the rope hung was chopped off. So you can tell how many men have been hung from this tree.
Courtesy Dolores Steele