As we continue our The Streets Around Us series in anticipation of Belmont’s 100th birthday this October, we’ve discovered something unexpected.
Many of the names we see every day aren’t just names on street signs—they’re reminders of the fascinating people who helped build Belmont long before it became the city we know today.
We’ve already shared the stories of Count Leonetto Cipriani, the Italian patriot whose name lives on through Cipriani Boulevard and Cipriani School, and Alfred Waltermire, whose efforts helped preserve Belmont’s independent school district.
Another familiar name is O’Neill Avenue, named for Captain Owen O’Neill. Before settling in Belmont, O’Neill captained merchant ships between Europe and California by sailing around Cape Horn. After poor health forced him ashore, he built O’Neill’s Landing, where he operated a boat service carrying both passengers and freight between Belmont and San Francisco. Long before Highway 101 or Caltrain, Belmont’s connection to the outside world came by water. According to local legend, even the lumber for his home was shipped around Cape Horn. He also later donated land he owned for Belmont’s first school, which was moved to his lot on Old County Road.
Then there’s John McDougal, California’s second governor. After leaving office, he settled in Belmont and became one of the community’s most prominent early residents. His name was long associated with McDougal School, and today lives on through McDougal Park. McDougal even fought a pistol duel near the Angelo House after taking offense to criticism published by a San Francisco newspaper editor. Fortunately, the encounter ended with only a minor injury—and a handshake.
McDougal also found himself at the center of one of the biggest turning points in local history. When San Mateo County was created in 1856, Belmont was chosen as the county’s very first seat of government. But the election was later exposed as being riddled with ballot-box stuffing, with more than 2,000 votes reported in a county of fewer than 500 residents. After the fraudulent precincts were thrown out, Belmont lost the county seat to Redwood City—a distinction it has held ever since.
Ironically, Belmont also honors Judge Benjamin Fox, whose decision invalidated that fraudulent election. Rather than remembering him for costing Belmont the county seat, our community chose to recognize him for upholding the rule of law. Today, generations of Belmont children have attended Fox Elementary School, carrying forward the name of the judge whose ruling forever changed our city’s history.
The more we dig into Belmont’s past, the more we realize that our streets, schools, and parks are more than landmarks—they’re living reminders of the people whose stories became Belmont’s story.
As always, thank you for following along as we celebrate Belmont’s 100th birthday through the stories, people, and places that shaped our community.
*Historic photo courtesy of the Belmont Historical Society, as published in Images of America: Belmont by Cynthia Karpa McCarthy. Digitally restored and colorized for this post by MORGANHOMES.
