Since the mid-nineteenth century, Belmont has made great strides in evolving from a rural stop on the Concord-to-Cambridge stagecoach route to a diverse community committed to preserving it roots while progressing into the new millennium. Whereas some local landmarks, such as Olive's Drug Store and Edgar's Florist, have been replaced in an effort to modernize, others, such as Underwood Pool and Mill Pond, remain. Belmont, a part of the Then & Now series, combines historic and modern photographs with engaging narrative to highlight lasting legacies and reveal changing times.
The Belmont Historical Society compiled this volume with images from their extensive archives. Dedicated to preserving Belmont's past, they aim to provide readers with a greater understanding of how the town has evolved from rural beginnings and emerged as a prominent suburban locality, anxious to maintain its small-town atmosphere.