Belmont was home to some 20 textile mills in the early 20th century, which were responsible for expanding the town's population from 145 in 1900 to nearly 4,000 in 1930.
Belmont, North Carolina is the quintessential American suburb
Belmont was home to some 20 textile mills in the early 20th century, which were responsible for expanding the town's population from 145 in 1900 to nearly 4,000 in 1930.
Belmont, North Carolina is the quintessential American suburb. This town of 10,000 residents has a quaint downtown, surrounded by quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods, parks and schools. It's also located about 15 minutes away from downtown Charlotte, making it an easy commute down Interstate 85 or Wilkinson Boulevard to the city center. Apart from downtown, most of the commercial development is situated near these roadways. The origins of the town's name are somewhat disputed. Initially called Garibaldi Station, after the town's railroad stop, the name was changed in the later part of the 19th century. Some say Belmont was named for the New York banker August Belmont. Others say the Pope ordered that the abbot of a nearby monastery change the name. Since the abbot could see Crowder's Mountain in the distance, he named the little burg Belmont for "beautiful mountain."
Moving to Belmont
At one time, Belmont was filled with "mill houses" built exclusively for factory workers. Today, many have been demolished to make way for new high-end housing developments. Many people - about 60 percent - own their home. Roughly 20 percent of residents rent, according to census data. Therefore, if you're looking for apartments for rent in Belmont, you may need to start your apartment search early. Home rentals may be a better option for people looking to rent in Belmont. To make yourself as attractive as possible to potential landlords, make sure you have impeccable credit history and rental references.
Belmont Neighborhoods
Harbor House: Harbor House is located on the western border of Lake Wylie, giving residents easy access to water sports and fishing. The homes' yards are filled with trees and many lakefront homes have private docks. In the center of Harbor House is an enclave of mid-century homes built in the mid-1950s. The area also includes an antebellum farm house and manufactured homes the eastern border which parallels Interstate 485. You'll also find several shopping centers, three schools and a golf course in Harbor House.
Eagle Park: A traditional neighborhood design, Eagle Park offers residents a great place to call home. Swimming pools, playgrounds and a location within walking distance to downtown Belmont make Eagle Park a popular place to live. Condos, townhomes and single family homes are available here.
Southpoint Village: South of downtown you'll find Southpoint Village, a collection of single family residences. This new development offers a wide array of choices for homeowners and is conveniently located near schools and shopping.
Living in Belmont
You'll find plenty to do in Belmont and the surrounding area. From Friday night concerts in the park to the Stowe Botanical Museum, residents of Belmont stay busy. Belmont is surrounded by two rivers - the Catawba River and the South Fork Catawba River. These two form nearby Lake Wylie, which offers myriad outdoor recreational activities.
Belmont is located basically equidistant between Gastonia and Charlotte. Therefore, residents can easily reach either city for more varied shopping, sports, dining and cultural experiences. Museums in Uptown Charlotte, NFL and NBA teams as well as nationally recognized healthcare facilities are within easy reach. Just to the north, you'll find the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a spot any adventure lover should visit. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains are just a 2 hours' drive west and you can reach the beach in less than four hours from Belmont.
Belmont is home to Belmont Abbey College, a liberal arts school that's home to a beautiful German Gothic Revival basilica called the Abbey Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. When it was constructed, it was the largest Catholic basilica in the state. The entire campus has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1970s.