Inyo Mountains - Cerro Gordo Mining Camp
Belshaw House
Belsaw House

Mortimer Belshaw, who built the Yellow Grade Road to the Cerro Gordo silver and lead mines and set up an efficient smelter near the Union Mine, built this two-bedroom, 1-bathroom house in the mining camp in 1868. Today it's a bed-and-(cook-your-own)-breakfast that sleeps up to 5.

Belshaw House under full moon

Belshaw House under full moon


Back side of the Belshaw House, built in 1868 by Mortimer Belshaw in the Cerro Gordo mining camp. Seen at top are the tailings and tramway associated with the Union Mine. Below it is the assay office. To the right of it are the remaining cribs from Lola's brothel
Back side of the Belshaw House, built in 1868 by Mortimer Belshaw in the Cerro Gordo mining camp. Seen at top are the tailings and tramway associated with the Union Mine. Below it is the assay office. To the right of it are the remaining cribs from Lola's brothel

Living room of the Belshaw House, looking back toward the front door

Living room of the Belshaw House, looking back toward the front door


Master bedroom of the Belshaw House

Master bedroom of the Belshaw House


Kitchen of the Belshaw House

Kitchen of the Belshaw House

Cerro Gordo's resident caretaker/historian Robert Desmarais points to a drawing in the anteroom of the Belshaw House, built in 1868 by Mortimer Belshaw in the mining camp
Cerro Gordo's resident caretaker/historian Robert Desmarais points to a drawing in the anteroom of the Belshaw House, built in 1868 by Mortimer Belshaw

Living room of the Belshaw House, looking toward the master bedroom on the right and the second bedroom on the left
Living room of the Belshaw House, looking toward the master bedroom on the right and the second bedroom on the left

Workers display the 18-inch-long, 85-pound silver-lead ingots that were shipped by wagon from the Cerro Gordo mines to Los Angeles. Photograph hangs on a wall inside the Belshaw House
Workers display the 18-inch-long, 85-pound silver-lead ingots that were shipped by wagon from the Cerro Gordo mines to Los Angeles. Photograph hangs on a wall inside the Belshaw House

Second bedroom of the Belshaw House

Second bedroom of the Belshaw House


Bathroom of the Belshaw House

Bathroom of the Belshaw House