The story of Wallace “Wally” Benson, whose dedication to Belmont earned him a lasting place in the city’s history.
Every school day, parents travel up Benson Way in Belmont’s Belcrest Gardens neighborhood, taking their children to Fox Elementary School. It’s a familiar route for generations of Belmont families, but how many know the story behind the street’s name?
Benson Way honors Wallace “Wally” Benson, a longtime Belmont mayor, businessman, and community leader who devoted much of his life to public service.
And according to local historian Russel Estep, there was something else that made Wally especially memorable: he was rarely seen without a cigar.
A Familiar Face in Early Belmont
Wallace Benson was born in Louisiana and eventually made his way to California. In 1946, he and his wife moved to Frances Court in Belmont, where they established their home.
Before beginning his successful career in insurance, Benson occasionally worked as a driver for a wealthy patient residing at the Twin Pines Sanitarium, once located at what is now Twin Pines Park.
He later joined the Argonaut Insurance Company in San Francisco, where he steadily advanced through the organization, first becoming a special agent and eventually rising to vice president. His career with Argonaut spanned 25 years before his retirement.
But it was his dedication to Belmont that would leave his most enduring legacy.
Twelve Years as Belmont’s Mayor
Benson became mayor in December 1955, succeeding Udo Rosellini, who had resigned from the position. Fellow councilmember Charles H. Cook seconded Benson’s nomination.
Estep credited Benson with serving as mayor for 12 years, although he also reported that Benson left the City Council in 1966.
Those were important years in Belmont’s development. The community was transitioning from a relatively small Peninsula town into an increasingly established residential city, with growing neighborhoods and an expanding need for municipal services and regional planning.
The Mayor and His Trademark Cigar
Every community has memorable personalities, and Wally Benson was certainly one of Belmont’s.
Russel Estep, who knew Benson personally, recalled that, much like British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Wally almost always had a cigar in his mouth.
It became his trademark.
Estep humorously suggested that Benson may have been Belmont’s only councilmember known for constantly smoking cigars.
There was even a running joke about the demands of his public service. Some residents reportedly observed that Wally was so busy working on city affairs that he couldn’t keep his cigar lit.
The image is an amusing reminder of a different era in local politics, when city leaders were familiar neighborhood figures and public service was often balanced with full-time professional careers.
Behind the cigar, however, was a man whom Estep remembered for his enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to improving Belmont.
A Street Named in His Honor
Benson Way, a short residential street in Belcrest Gardens, was named to recognize Wally’s years of service to the community.
The street lies between Hallmark and St. James Avenue and serves as a familiar route uphill toward Fox Elementary School.
For the families who live along Benson Way, and the many parents who travel it during the school year, the name is part of everyday life.
Yet it represents something more than a convenient address or a route to school.
It commemorates a man who spent years participating in the decisions and regional planning efforts that helped shape Belmont’s future.
While many public officials eventually fade from public memory, street names have a remarkable way of keeping their stories alive.
The History We Travel Every Day
Today, Benson Way continues to serve the Belcrest Gardens neighborhood, connecting homes and families with the daily activities of community life.
Each morning, as parents make their way toward Fox Elementary School, they’re traveling along a street named for someone who helped guide Belmont through an important chapter of its history.
Most may never have heard of Wallace “Wally” Benson, or know about the cigar-smoking mayor who spent so many years working for the city he loved.
But his name remains, quietly woven into the neighborhood.
More Stories Behind the Streets Around Us
Benson Way is just one of many Belmont streets with a fascinating story behind its name.
Did you know that Furlong Street was named for an early Belmont postmaster? Or that Davey Glen Road honors the president of a nationally known tree-care company? Pullman Avenue traces its name to a family whose Belmont property once included a hunting lodge, while Monroe, Miller, and Lyon are names connected in upcoming installments of Streets Around Us, as we uncover the people, places, and events behind the familiar names we pass every day.
Stay tuned for our next journey into Belmont’s past!
And that’s what makes our Streets Around Us series so interesting. Behind many of the street signs we pass every day are stories of real people whose contributions helped make Belmont the community it is today.
Part of MORGANHOMES’ “Streets Around Us” series, exploring the people, places, and history behind the streets of Belmont.
“Every street has a name. Every name has a story”.
Thanks for reading along…
