A Family-friendly Community

With its two mounds, it is easy to see how Belmont came by its name, "Belle Monte," French for "beautiful hill."  But the Belmont of today is actually a few miles from its namesake.  Old Belmont was the first capitol of the Wisconsin Territory, and the territorial legislature met here for 46 days in 1836.  Legislators met in the council house and passed 42 laws.  A second building, the supreme court building, was never used for its intended purpose.  James Doty, one of the legislators, lobbied hard for a city in which he owned land, Madison, to be declared the capitol.  The two white clapboard buildings, rescued from use as barns, are now Wisconsin State Historic Sites.  The council house is restored to how it looked when the frontier legislature met, and exhibits about pioneer life are contained nearby in the original supreme court building.
Each September, Belmont hosts the state's oldest free fair which originated in 1915.  The school and community fair includes a parade, a livestock show, a carnival, food, and exhibits.  Food is not just part of everyday life, it's a vital part of Belmont's business.  Belmont is home to two French specialty cheese factories that produce brie, camembert and feta.  Belmont also boasts of having one of the area's largest greenhouse operations, Cushman's Greenhouse, Bond Park which is located adjacent to the Pecatonica State Trail and within 3 miles of Lake Joy which is a private 60-acre lake.