Silver ore was discovered in Candelaria in 1864 but not much happened until 1873 when the Northern Belle Mine went into production. A 20-stamp mill with three furnaces was built to process the ore. The dry stamping process created a fine dust that settled in the lungs of residents causing respiratory tract
infections, diseases and even death. The town's population grew to over a thousand but the lack of water plus the 1893 economic depression lead to its downfall. Very little is left but the scars on the mountains, the ruins of the stamp mill, a few wooden structures, the brick front of a collapsed building, and a cemetery.
Follow the paved road off of US 95 for about 6 miles to the town site. It's very barren and desolate and must have been an unpleasant place to work and live. The pavement ends at the town site but if you have high clearance there's a network of dirt roads to explore.
This is all BLM land except for the mine property.We couldn't find a good spot to camp near the town and instead turned up a dirt road on our way back to US 95 and found a quarry which may have been the source of sand used to cover the mine dumps during reclamation work. The view is nice and the ground is level and solid.
The paved road to Candelaria and the dirt road to the boondocking spot are suitable for any RV.
Candelaria 38.16227, -118.0828 Boondocking
Follow the paved road off of US 95 for about 6 miles to the town site. It's very barren and desolate and must have been an unpleasant place to work and live. The pavement ends at the town site but if you have high clearance there's a network of dirt roads to explore. 
When I hear the words, "stamp mills," all I think of is noise. It must have been deafening. What a horror, between that and the fine dust. Good place to visit, tho!
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