"The beautiful valley, at the entrance to which Belmont is located, is called Canada Diabolo. It is difficult to conceive how this charming little valley received the above designation, unless it was on the assumption that his satanic majesty, having an intimate acquaintance with all parts of the globe fixed upon this as the most desirable. At all events, his taste in making this selection would be universally approved. The fact is, it has been. There are evidences that the aborigines appreciated the soft atmosphere of this storm-locked retreat.
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| WC Ralston Calisphere Collection |
made his home here, and later the proprietor of the Pulgas rancho (
"The initial step in the settlement of Belmont, was the building of a hotel by a Mr. Angelo, on what is now known as the Robinson property. This was in the year 1850. A short time prior to that, Angelo had entertained travelers in a canvass tent, a little distance below Redwood City. His hotle in Belmont in those early days, became widely known, especially by the sporting fraternity, whose wants were caredully catered to by the proprietor. A Mr. Flashner succeeded Angelo in the hotel business at this place, and it was at his houise, then called the Belmont hotel, that the first county court of San Mateo county convened in 1856.
"The business of merchandising was begun by Adam Castor, and as a trading point, Belmont at one time was of more than ordinary importance. After W. C. Ralston settled here, he constructed a wharf upon the slough that makes in town the town, and donated the privleges of it to the public. Belmont is extensively and popularly known as a famous picnic ground. In the course of the past year it is estimated that over one hundred and fifty thousand people visited the delightful park at the base of the beautiful hill that gave the town its name." History of San Mateo County, California: Including Its Geography, Topography. Geology, Climate and description.....San Francisco 1883 B.F. Alley Publisher
The register of California Post Offices lists Belmont as an official place name as of July 18, 1854 two years before San Mateo County was split from San Francisco.Belmont from the middle to the late 1800's was a tiny community. It mainly catered to supplying the summer homes of the wealthy. There were groups of artisans to build mansions and farmers to supply perishables. Stage stops and a wharf on the Bay provided transportation; hotels supplied lodging. There was also a thriving oyster industry.
In the 1890's Mrs. Alpheus Bull opened a school for girls, Radcliffe Hall, in the Ralston\Sharon mansion and Reid's Belmont School for Boys opened in "Little Belmont", a building on another part of the same estate.
Over the years Belmont continued to grow slowly, gradually pushing the orchards, ranches, dairy farms and flower fields to the edge of town. Sanitariums treating mental illness and tuberculosis opened along the Ralston Ave. corridor. Homes were built by people commuting to San Francisco as well as by employees of local businesses and of the Spring Valley Water Company which had a pumping station at the south edge of town.
In the middle twenties the town incorporated to insure civic and sanitary services. Two events caused excitement and hotly contested voter issues. The first of these allowed a (short-lived) dog racing track east of town; 60¢ admission provided free parking and band music. the second issue would have changed the name of the town to Port of San Francisco. It was an elaborate scheme to place railroad and shipping facilites on the bayshore. Only a channel was dredged before the depression caused the dream to fade away.
Post World War II years brought rapid growth to the little town, together with a vast increase in the number of commercial business, schools, churches and civic services. Today Belmont has just shy of 27,000 inhabitants and just over 2700 businesses in 4.62 square miles.
Some historic landmarks in Belmont include: Van's Restaurant, which was a part of the Japanese pavilion at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915. It was barged to Belmont after the exposition closed. On the grounds of Notre Dame University is the historic Ralson Hall. St. Michael's Hall which was built abt. is on the grounds of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Campus. Manor House which is located in Twin Pines Park, is the home of the Belmont History Museum and the San Mateo County Arts Council galleries. Information on other historic structures and landmarks can be found at the Belmont Historical Society. The society has an extensive collection of artifacts and pictures of early Belmont and its people; Belmont Voter Registrations Books 1896-1908; and other archival materials
Belmont Government
- The Belmont City Clerk has a complete set of records since incorporation in 1924.
- Belmont GIS - Mapping Portal
- Belmont Historical Photo Tour
- Belmont Library (County Library System)
- Belmont Genealogical & Historical Bibliography
- Calisphere - Belmont
- Belmont Chamber of Commerce - History
- History First Congregational Church of Belmont 751 Alameda de las Pulgas is the fromer clubhouse for the 1920's subdivision which included a golf course
- Church of the Good Shepard (Episcopal) 415-593-4844; some records 1864-1900 complete records 1900-present (call for appointment)
