Ravalli County, Montana

Allison-Reinkeh House Alta Ranger Station Bass Mansion Bean, Daniel V., House Bitter Root Cooperative Creamery Blood, Oliver, House Boulder Point Lookout Brooks Hotel Buck, Charles Amos, House Buck, Fred, House Canyon Creek Laboratory of the U.S. Public Health Service Caple, W. T., House Clark, Jennie, House Cochran, William, House Conway House Cook, Calvin and Maggie, House Cook, Wilbur, House Cramer, Martin, House Daly, Marcus, Memorial Hospital DeNayer House Drinkenberg's, F. H., First Home El Capitan Lodge Ellis, E. G., House Emhoff House Etna School First Baptist Church First State Bank, Dowling and Emhoff Buildings Fisher, Joseph, House Fort Owen Foust, Perry, House Foye Rental Houses Fulton, Charles, House Gavin House Gill, Sherman, House Gird Point Lookout Gleason Building Goff House Gordon House Granke, Charles, House Hamilton Commercial Historic District Hamilton Southside Residential Historic District Hamilton Town Hall Harrington, Rose, House Hayward Lodge Hoffman, Charles, House Howe, John G., House IOOF Hall Lagerquist, John, House Lancaster House Landram, John A., House Lockridge House Lost Horse Fireman's Cabin (24RA197) May, Albert, House May, Charles, House May, George, House May, Harry, House May, Louis, House McCart Fire Lookout McCrossin, James, Cabin McFarlane House McGlauflin House McLaughlin, John, House Medicine Point Lookout Metcalf House Methodist Episcopal Church South Morr, Philip and Ella, House Pine Apartments Popham Ranch Ravalli County Courthouse Riverside Rocky Mountain Laboratory Historic District Sharp, John, House St. Mary Peak Lookout St. Mary's Church and Pharmacy St. Mary's Mission Historic District (Boundary Increase) Stevensville Feed Mill Stevensville Grade School-United Methodist Church Stevensville Mercantile Company Oil Storage Building Stout, John, House Summers-Quast Farmstead Thornton Hospital Trosdahl, Erick, House University Heights Historic District VFW Club Wallin, Frank, House Wamsley, Other C., House Whaley Homestead Williams House Williams, John and Ann, House Young, Benjamin, House

Ravalli County, Montana, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Bitterroot Salish. These tribes were highly skilled hunters, gatherers, and traders, utilizing the abundant natural resources of the Bitterroot Valley.

In the early 1800s, European explorers and fur trappers began to venture into the region. One of the most notable figures in the history of Ravalli County is Jesuit priest Pierre-Jean De Smet, who arrived in the Bitterroot Valley in 1841. De Smet played a significant role in establishing missions and building relationships with the Native American tribes.

The 1860s marked a period of rapid growth and development for the county. Gold was discovered in the region, attracting a wave of prospectors and settlers. Towns such as Stevensville and Hamilton were founded during this time, becoming important hubs for trade and agriculture. Ranching also emerged as a dominant industry in Ravalli County, making full use of the fertile land and favorable climate.

Throughout the 20th century, Ravalli County underwent various transformations. The timber industry became a major economic force, supporting the growth of towns like Darby. The county also experienced advancements in transportation, with the construction of highways and the introduction of the railroad. Today, Ravalli County remains a scenic and vibrant community, known for its stunning landscapes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and rich heritage.
Brief timeline of the history of Ravalli County, Montana:

  • 1805: The Lewis and Clark expedition passes through what is now Ravalli County.
  • 1841: The first known white settlement is established by missionaries in the Bitterroot Valley.
  • 1855: The Hellgate Treaty is signed between the United States and the Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai tribes, ceding their land to the US government, including the lands that would become Ravalli County.
  • 1864: The Bitterroot Valley is officially designated as Missoula County by the Montana Territorial Legislature.
  • 1893: Ravalli County is established as a separate county from Missoula County.
  • 1895: Hamilton becomes the county seat of Ravalli County.
  • 1900s: Agriculture, logging, and mining industries thrive in Ravalli County.
  • 1950s: Tourism starts to become a significant industry in the region.
  • 1990s: Ravalli County experiences population growth as people are attracted to the area's natural beauty and quality of life.
  • Today: Ravalli County is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and skiing.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ravalli County, Montana.