Belmont

Belmont, between Gonzales and Seguin on U.S. Highway 90A in western Gonzales County, was established in the 1840s as a stage stop called Centerville. When citizens applied for a post office they had to choose a new name because another Centerville in Texas already had a post office. Residents selected Belmont, supposedly for the Belmont family of horse-racing fame. In 1885 the town had a steam sawmill, a cotton gin, a district school, two churches, daily mail service, and a population of 100. A stage made daily runs to Luling; tickets were $1.50 each. In 1896 the population reached its apex at 125. That year the town had three general stores, a grocer, a hotel, and a blacksmith.