St. Mary’s Mission was the first white settlement in Montana, which eventually grew into the town of Stevensville. Today, these buildings are preserved to give visitors insights into the early days of the settlement of the West.
After being introduced to Christianity by Iroquois trappers in the early 1800s, the Salish and Nez Perce sent multiple delegations to St. Louis throughout the 1830s in hopes of convincing missionaries to come to the Bitterroot Valley. In 1841, Father Pierre Jean DeSmet established St. Mary’s on the east bank of the Bitterroot River. It became a place where Indian culture and Christianity would blend.
Today, Historic St. Mary’s Mission is home to restored buildings, museums, and artifacts which reflect on the history of the site and the Salish people. The St. Mary’s Mission Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Group and individual guided tours are available.
Valley Drug and Variety, Main Street, Stevensville, MT, USA
Distance: 0.19 mi (straight line)
Fort Owen State Park, Fort Owen Ranch Road, Stevensville, MT, USA
Distance: 0.74 mi (straight line)
Mountain Butterfly, U.S. 93, Stevensville, MT, USA
Distance: 1.35 mi (straight line)
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Wild Fowl Lane, Stevensville, MT, USA
Distance: 3.65 mi (straight line)
Florence Coffee Co., U.S. 93, Florence, MT, USA
Distance: 8.61 mi (straight line)
SweetRoot Farm, Bell Lane, Hamilton, MT, USA
Distance: 16.32 mi (straight line)
251 Eastside Hwy, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
Distance: 16.83 mi (straight line)
Travelers' Rest State Park, U.S. 12, Lolo, MT, USA
Distance: 16.88 mi (straight line)
LC Features Museums and Interpretive Centers Walks and Hikes Outdoor Experiences
6600 U.S. 12, Lolo, MT 59847, USA
Distance: 17.16 mi (straight line)
Lolo Creek Distillery, Lolo, MT, USA
Distance: 17.20 mi (straight line)
172 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
Distance: 18.37 mi (straight line)
Montana Bliss Artworks, South 7th Street, Hamilton, MT, USA
Distance: 18.43 mi (straight line)
Ravalli County Museum, Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT, USA
Distance: 18.50 mi (straight line)
Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op, MT, Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT, USA
Distance: 18.51 mi (straight line)
Rock Creek Rd, Clinton, MT 59825, USA
Distance: 18.55 mi (straight line)
703 S 3rd St, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
Distance: 18.78 mi (straight line)
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