Here at Solutions we get asked a lot of questions about the different neighborhoods in Charlottesville.
The area known as “Belmont” comes up a great many times in conversation as it’s near the Downtown Mall, has lots of charm, boasts wonderful examples of architecture from the late 1800s to modern day, is the perfect neighborhood to walk around and explore, and is home to many of our best “foodie” style restaurants – MAS, The Local and Tavola, to name a few.
The 403-acre Belmont neighborhood forms the southeast corner of the City and is bounded by the CSX Railway on the north, Moore’s Creek on the south and east, and 6th St. SW on the west.
Belmont is a late 19th Century neighborhood consisting primarily of two “1890’s era subdivisions: “Belmont” and “Carlton.” Modern-day Belmont is actually the combination of the Belmont and Carlton neighborhoods.
The neighborhood serves as a significant entrance to the City from Monticello, and Piedmont Virginia Community College, as it’s easily accessible to I-64 by way of Monticello Avenue (Route 20). With its rolling topography and setting, Belmont affords excellent views of both the Downtown and the surrounding mountains.
Originally, the county estate “Belmont” – or “beautiful mountain” – was the prosperous farm estate of John M. Carr, the nephew of Dabney Carr, a boyhood friend of Thomas Jefferson. The Belmont Mansion got its name from the farm when it was built circa 1837 by the original owner John Winn. The house is still visible today as it fronts on Belmont Avenue, but the more architecturally interesting back is best seen from Hinton Avenue as it peeks out from behind the church.
The neighborhood of Belmont grew with the building of the Old Belmont Bridge in 1905. This bridge stood until 1961 when the New Belmont Bridge that connects Ninth Street and Avon Street replaced it. Belmont is now one of Charlottesville’s southern neighborhoods.
Most people are familiar with this area near the current bridge as they get a whiff of the famous Spudnuts baking every morning – you can see the lines stretching around the building most every day as people wait patiently for their turn to partake in the blueberry glazed, glazed and chocolate glazed varieties, just to name a few.
Other favorites are just a short walk away from Spudnuts as you head to La Taza for a coffee, Belmont Bar B Q for some of the best pulled pork sandwiches around, and the beginning of restaurant row – The Local, Tavola and MAS.
Area studies led to Belmont’s designation as a priority neighborhood for improvements from 1996-1999, which resulted in enhancements such as new paved crosswalks, street trees and planters in “Downtown Belmont.”
The neighborhood has a mixture of housing with corner convenience stores scattered throughout. Industrial and commercial uses are located south of the CSX Railroad tracks. Trackside redevelopment has added offices for corporations like National Optronics and Inova.
Clark Elementary School is the anchor for the neighborhood and you can see many parents walking with their children to school every morning during the school year. Belmont Park offers a wonderful space for neighborhood picnics and birthday parties as well as a place to gather and play for the children.
Belmont has seen a great many of its houses transformed over the years into modern works of art – you can see contemporary designs mixed with 19th century brick facades, and they all seem to blend in nicely.
Every holiday season, the different neighborhoods vie with each other with their light displays. The Holly Trolley never fails to pass through Belmont to catch some of the more spectacular ones.
If you’re visiting in town, or have not yet ventured past the Downtown Mall, be sure to visit the Belmont neighborhood and see this truly special and vibrant area for yourself.
