Once known as Garibaldi, the community of Belmont was renamed to honor a New York banker. Incorporated in 1895, Belmont blends its traditional manufacturing sector in the textile and hosiery industries with a well-established and convenient retail sector. The influence and presence of the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology and the private Belmont Abbey College have elevated Belmont to the status of a center for higher education within the county. The centerpiece of Belmont Abbey College is the Abbey Basilica, one of the region's historic landmarks. Beautiful architecture graced by mature magnolia, lilac, and dogwood trees are part of the visual appeal and charm of the Belmont community. The city is also the home of the celebrated regional attraction of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The wealth of yesterday's textile mill owners is still evident in stately mansions that line the town's main road, although modern construction harmonizes beautifully with treasures from the past and the panoramic countryside.