Stevensville, in Ravalli County, is the first permanent settlement in Montana. At the request of the Bitter Root Salish Indian Tribe, a Jesuit mission was established there in 1841, more than forty years before Montana became a state. The settlement was named Saint Mary’s and, apart from the mission house itself and some log cabins, it included Montana’s first pharmacy. In 1850. Major John Owen set up a camp north of Saint Mary’s, which later grew into a trading post and military fort, known as Fort Owen. Structures from both Saint Mary’s and Fort Owen still stand today, as part of the city of Stevensville. In 1864, Saint Mary’s was renamed Stevensville in honor of Isaac Stevens, the territorial governor of Montana Territory, who made Stevensville the territorial capital in 1853, as it remained until 1858, when Stevens was called back to active duty with the Union Army to serve during the Civil War, in which he died at Chantilly in 1862. Huey Lewis, of Huey Lewis and the News, was once a resident of Stevensville, and U.S. Senator and 1972 presidential candidate, George McGovern, once owned a book store and a summer home there. Stevensville is located along Highway 93, south of Florence and north of Victor. The Welcome Creek Wilderness Area is east of the city and the Bitterroot National Forest is to the west.
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Recommended Resources
The sporting goods store in Stevensville, Montana specializes in the sale of ammunition. A map shows its location, a schedule of gun shows and events is published, along with its hours of operation.
http://www.ammoandmorestore.com/
Bitterroot River Bed & Breakfast
Centrally located in the Bitterroot Valley, in Stevensville, Montana, the B&B guest lodging facility is in close proximity to the Bitterroot National Forest. Its rooms, amenities and rates are highlighted, along with a webcam, photographs, and a blog.
http://www.bitterrootriverbb.com/
The oldest ongoing community festival in Montana has been held in Stevensville each August for more than a century. Its history, schedule, parade highlights, sponsorships, vendors, volleyball schedule, and contacts are published to the site.
http://www.creamerypicnic.com/
The full-service family practice is located on Stevensville Cutoff Road in Stevensville, Montana. A map shows the location of the clinic, its office hours are posted, and an overview of its services and policies are included.
http://www.stevensvilleclinic.com/
Historic Saint Mary’s Mission & Museum
Founded by Fr. Pierre De Smet, a Jesuit Priest, in 1841, the historic mission became the city of Stevensville, the first permanent settlement in Montana. A history of the mission and its role is related, along with an overview of its attractions and features, photographs, and a map showing its location.
http://www.saintmarysmission.org/
Located in Stevensville, Montana, the Lone Rock School District offers a K-8th grade curriculum. School calendars, admissions information, handbooks and other documents are featured, along with a directory of staff and teachers.
http://www.lonerockschool.org/
Located in an old farmhouse one block from the main street of Stevensville, Montana, the restaurant is highlighted, including directions, menus, special offers, and a calendar of upcoming holidays and other events.
http://missionbistromt.com/
The library in Stevensville, Montana opened in 1904 as a free library, although it has moved a couple of times since then, and is current an independent library district. Its location, hours of operation, calendar of events, and an overview of its collections, research facilities, and online resources.
http://northvalleylibrary.org/
Constructed by Dr. William Thornton in 1910, the building originally served as the first hospital in the Bitterroot Valley, a purpose it served until 1939. Reopened as a rest home until the mid-1980s, it was vacant for a few years, then reopened as a children’s daycare center, then a boarding house. Renovated in 2004, it now serves as a bed and breakfast hotel. Directions, historical data, and several photographs are featured.
http://www.stevensvillehotel.com/
Stevensville Main Street Association
The Main Street organization in Stevensville, Montana serves to promote the city’s downtown businesses, with an emphasis on sustainable development practices. Membership information, projects, and achievements of the organization are featured.
http://www.mainstreetstevensville.com/
The community supported, volunteer run, theater is located in downtown Stevensville, Montana. A map shows its location, and calendar of productions and events, online show ticket sales, and photographs are featured. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.stevensvilleplayhouse.org/
The Stevensville, Montana public school district offers a PK-12th grade curriculum through a primary school, a middle school, and a high school, each of which are highlighted here, along with a district calendar, and directory of faculty and staff.
http://stevi.schoolwires.net/