Gum Springs was one of the oldest settlements in the southeastern part of present day Tishomingo County, named by the early pioneers who settled there. The first school was known as the Gum Springs School, the first Methodist church built became known as Valley and the first Baptist church as Ebenezer.

In 1834 a post office was established and the first clerk was W.T. Clark. The name shortly after that was changed to Belmont Settlement.

Belmont meaning “beautiful mountain” named because of the hills due east of this area, the Freedom Hills, a long row of hills stretching over into Alabama inhabited by a group of pioneer citizen who exercised a freedom not known outside of its rugged limits. During the Civil War the Battle of Shallow Wells was fought here.

Submitted by Kathy Everitt.