The Story of Candelaria
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On February 25, 1882 water reached Candelaria. On February 28th the railroad reached Candelaria. These were two events that changed Candelaria’s future of a half a century. This story is about the arrival of the railroad.
Much has been written about the Carson & Colorado Railroad. But we will leave that for others. We are going to focus on a 5 1/2 miles section from Filben to Candelaria. Late in 1881 the Carson & Colorado Railroad reached Belleville. Belleville was the major milling site for the Candelaria mines. It was only a matter of time before the Candelaria mines would be connected to the Belleville mills.
In December of 1881 the C&C reached Filben. Filben was a scant three miles from Belleville. It was also the designated name of the place where the branch line to Candelaria would start. In January and February an estimated 130 workers graded, laid track and built bridges for the branch line.
The biggest hurdle was an impressive Ravine that had to be crossed. A trestle 292’ long and 50’ high was built. A second slightly smaller ravine also had to be crossed.
On February 28, 1882 an estimated 300 people made their way to the new depot to see the engine Bodie Bring in the first train to their city. They now had water and a railroad to the outside world.
The C&C railroad in Candelaria did have quite a presence in Candelaria. Beside the depot, there was an engine house, turntable, foreman’s house, Section crew house, houses for the workers, storage shed, water tank, and oil facility all built, maintained, and in use.
In 1893 mining was all but done. Although the connection to the outside world wasn’t as impactful as was predicated, the town itself owed its extended life to the C&C. Candelaria became the jumping off point for other mining communities like Columbus, Silver Peak, Montezuma, Lida Valley gold Mountain, etc. when the railroad arrived. Now it was a major reason that businesses and could survive. It wasn’t until 1905 when Tonopah was connected to the outside world through a variety of railroads that this strategic jumping off point was no longer needed.
In 1932 the branch line was closed!
1. “The Story of Candelaria and its Neighbors: Columbus, Metallic City, Belleville, Marietta, Sodaville, and Coaldale” by Shamberger
Much has been written about the Carson & Colorado Railroad. But we will leave that for others. We are going to focus on a 5 1/2 miles section from Filben to Candelaria. Late in 1881 the Carson & Colorado Railroad reached Belleville. Belleville was the major milling site for the Candelaria mines. It was only a matter of time before the Candelaria mines would be connected to the Belleville mills.
In December of 1881 the C&C reached Filben. Filben was a scant three miles from Belleville. It was also the designated name of the place where the branch line to Candelaria would start. In January and February an estimated 130 workers graded, laid track and built bridges for the branch line.
The biggest hurdle was an impressive Ravine that had to be crossed. A trestle 292’ long and 50’ high was built. A second slightly smaller ravine also had to be crossed.
On February 28, 1882 an estimated 300 people made their way to the new depot to see the engine Bodie Bring in the first train to their city. They now had water and a railroad to the outside world.
The C&C railroad in Candelaria did have quite a presence in Candelaria. Beside the depot, there was an engine house, turntable, foreman’s house, Section crew house, houses for the workers, storage shed, water tank, and oil facility all built, maintained, and in use.
In 1893 mining was all but done. Although the connection to the outside world wasn’t as impactful as was predicated, the town itself owed its extended life to the C&C. Candelaria became the jumping off point for other mining communities like Columbus, Silver Peak, Montezuma, Lida Valley gold Mountain, etc. when the railroad arrived. Now it was a major reason that businesses and could survive. It wasn’t until 1905 when Tonopah was connected to the outside world through a variety of railroads that this strategic jumping off point was no longer needed.
In 1932 the branch line was closed!
1. “The Story of Candelaria and its Neighbors: Columbus, Metallic City, Belleville, Marietta, Sodaville, and Coaldale” by Shamberger