In 1630, approximately 40 families separated from the first settlers of Massachusetts and moved inland to create an agricultural community. Belmont was originally named Pequosette after a local Indian tribe, but the name was soon changed to Watertown. According to the town's website,

"The original settlement spread inland extensively into the present towns of Watertown, Waltham, Weston, Lincoln, and parts of Cambridge and Belmont. In 1738, Waltham seceded from Watertown, and the future Belmont was now part of three towns."

In 1843, Frederick Tudor and his business built the railroad line from Charlestown to Fresh Pond. Citizens in Waltham wanted the railroad extended into their village because of its close proximity. It was granted and the line ran through what is now the Town of Belmont. The railroad gave the agricultural community access to residences in Boston. Settlements started forming around Wellington Station (now Belmont Center), Waverley Station, and Hill's crossing station and those settlements grew into villages.

In the early 1850s, a group of approximately 1,000 residents joined together and announced their wish to form a separate town. After some resistance from surrounding towns, the Town of Belmont was born on March 18, 1859.