Introduction to Belmont, North Carolina
Belmont, North Carolina, in Gaston county, is 8 miles E of Gastonia, North Carolina (center to center) and 11 miles W of Charlotte, North Carolina. The city is included in the Charlotte - Gastonia - Rock Hill metropolitan area.
Belmont History
The early settlers of the Belmont area concentrated around the site of the colonial–era Fort, which was constructed by the Dutch around 1750. In the late 1800s, Abram Stowe built a Greek Revival home and a small mercantile store. The Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Railway was established in 1871, and Stowe became its town depot agent. The community's rail road stop was called "Garibaldi Station" in honor of John Garibaldi, who was responsible for supervising the construction of a water tank near the rail road. In 1872, a Roman Catholic Missionary priest bought 500 acres in the area, and donated it to Saint Vincent's Arch–abbey. A school was eventually established on this land. Bishop Leo Haid, who founded the school, was instrumental in changing the name of the community from "Garibaldi Station" to "Belmont" in 1883. This name was in honor of a prominent New York banker, August Belmont. Belmont was incorporated in 1895.
Belmont and Nearby Attractions
- Afro-American Cultural Center
- President James K. Polk State Historic Site
- Crowders Mountain State Park
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
- Piedmont Carolinas Railroad Museum
Things To Do In Belmont
Gaston County Museum of Art and History houses artifacts which depict the history and culture of the region. Schiele Museum's exhibits reflect the natural history of the Carolinas' Piedmont. Belmont is also home to the Piedmont Carolinas Railroad Museum. Historic Rosedale Plantation, President James K. Polk State Historic Site, Historic Rural Hill Farm, and Latta Plantation are some of the historic sites nearby. Crowders Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain State Park are two popular parks in the area where visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, canoeing, picnicking, and camping.
Belmont Transportation
The closest major airport is Charlotte/ Douglas International Airport.
Belmont Higher Education
Belmont is home to the Belmont Abbey College, as well as the East Campus of Gaston College. The other colleges situated nearby are Central Piedmont Community College, and Winthrop University.
