The town is said to take its name from a nearby mine which was named for Candlemas day, but the motherlode of silver ($15 million) was dug from the Northern Belle Mine. By 1880, the town had two hotels, a half dozen stores and plenty of saloons. Since Candelaria was in the desert and the nearest water was available nine miles away, a gallon of water cost $1.00, more than the cost of whiskey. Less than a mile south of Candelaria lay the remains of Metallic City, basically a stone wall.
Located 7 miles west off US95, 13 miles north of Coaldale and 278 miles from Las Vegas.