What's The Oldest Town Under The Big Sky?

Montana's oldest town was founded before Montana became a state
Established 5 years before Fort Benton By Jesuit Missionaries
This territorial town featured the state's first pharmacy, cattle branding and many other modern innovations

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Stevensville Is The Oldest Town In Montana

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Forty-eight years before Montana became the nation's 41st state, Stevensville was settled by Jesuit Missionaries at the request of the Bitterroot Salish tribe-Wikipedia

From Wikipedia, Stevensville was established in 1841 (Fort Benton was 1846) as the first permanent settlement for non-indigenous peoples. Forty-eight years before Montana joined the United States. It was settled by Jesuit Missionaries.

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Four Salish men actually travelled to Missouri and met with William Clark to request "Black Robes" for the tribe in 1831. They finally arrived in 1841 and founded St. Mary's Mission.

The town was first known as St. Mary's, but in 1864 it was changed to Stevensville in honor of the territorial governor, Isaac Stevens.

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Today the mission complex includes the restored chapel/residence, Father Ravalli’s log house/pharmacy, Chief Victor’s cabin, DeSmet park, the cemetery where Father Ravalli is buried and the Indian burial plot. A Visitor’s Center was added in 1996 and houses a gift shop as well as a research library, art gallery and museum - Historic St. Mary's Mission and Museum

Many firsts for Montana happened in Stevensville

According to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and Wikipedia, irrigation, cattle branding, the first sawmill and gristmill, first school for settlers and other innovations in the ag industry were brought to Stevensville.

It's even home to the first pharmacy in Montana started by Father Ravalli, a Jesuit Priest and doctor.

Stevensville is also home to historic Fort Owen State Park

Just outside of Stevensville is Fort Owen. It was established by John Owen in 1841 as a mission and eventually became a trading post.

Be your own tour guide in Stevensville

The Clio has a cool walking tour on their site that highlights historical buildings in Stevensville, and even includes a map and brief description of each stop on the tour. It will guide you to St. Mary's Mission, The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall, Bitterroot Family Church, Albert May House, Stevensville United Methodist Church and the Bass Mansion. It looks like a great way to spend a day.

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