This summer, the unincorporated town of Belden in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California is up for sale. The 87-year-old owner of the town, Ivan Coffman, has decided to sell the entire property for $4.75 million.
Belden is located in the picturesque Feather River Canyon, with the Feather River on one side and the railroad on the other. The only access road to the town is a bicycle bridge built in 1937 spanning a tributary of the Feather River, connecting to Highway 70 on the other side. The town has a permanent population of 15 residents but receives a large number of visitors annually.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Belden has a total area of 0.73 square miles, with 0.61 square miles of land and 0.12 square miles of water. The property being sold includes 7 guest cabins, 18 hotel rooms, RV campsites, a campground, a restaurant and bar, a commercial kitchen, a store, staff housing, multiple event spaces and public facilities, a liquor license, and valuable water rights.
After more than half a century of ownership and 37 years of property ownership, Coffman is preparing to leave. He has decided to sell the town for a modest price of $4.75 million to find the next “town leader.”
The Dixie Fire in 2021 swept through the surrounding areas of Belden, leading many, including Coffman, to evacuate. However, his son and several employees stayed behind to fight the wildfire. Earlier this year, Coffman’s son passed away due to complications, which is one of the reasons for selling the town.
Belden was established in 1905 during the construction of the Western Pacific Railroad. Serving as a railway stop, Belden became a base for fishing and hunting activities. In 1909, a post office was established, and the town was named after the first postmaster, Robert Belden.
Prior to its founding, the area was mainly inhabited by gold miners, a few farmers, and the indigenous Maidu tribe. In 1970, a young mason named Coffman had a week off. He arrived in Belden and walked upstream along Yellow Creek, a tributary of the Feather River. He discovered gold nuggets scattered in the creek due to a major flood that year, saying, “They’ve been buried for many years.”
Coffman found approximately 50 ounces of gold on the riverbed, which was worth about $35 per ounce at the time (now around $4,300 per ounce). He called his business partner in Fresno and informed him that he would stay longer in Belden.
During the Gold Rush period around 1850, Belden had over a thousand residents. After the Gold Rush, the railroad and tourism industry turned the Feather River area into a resort destination. However, the construction of dams on the Feather River led to a decrease in fish population, natural landscape changes, and economic difficulties for Belden.
Coffman has been involved in gold mining, jewelry making, and lending businesses. He purchased Belden in 1989 when the town was nearly a “ghost town” after a fire destroyed most dilapidated buildings. He restored the surviving buildings and transformed them into a unique area. Hikers and motorcyclists crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains use this place as a rest stop, while the annual music festival attracts thousands of visitors every year. Coffman has hosted a large number of visitors over the years.
Coffman’s friend Josie Litchfield is assisting him in selling the property. Although not officially appointed, Litchfield asked in an email, “Who wants to be the next Mayor of Belden?” Interested parties can visit the website beldentownforsale.com to fill out an application form, directly contact Coffman, and discuss the purchase.