Stevensville Community

Photo by Perry Backus

community of STEVENSVILLE

Montana’s first permanent settlement is thriving as a great little community - overflowing with small town charm. Stevensville’s community organizations work with all of the local businesses and strives to ensure that the community grows and prospers. Considering the small size of this community, Stevensville offers a variety of delicious eateries, two breweries, an ice cream and local soda shop, art, gifts and more! In the summer there are many community events, including Western Heritage Days, the 4th of July “Pignic”, the Creamery Picnic, Scarecrow Festival and Brewfest, plays, and other celebrations. The outdoor activities are abundant offering up wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, fishing and golf. Children stay entertained with Lewis and Clark Park. This adventureland consists of 2 playgrounds, swings, a basketball court, 2 pavilions with charcoal grills, a swimming pool, skate park and open space. A new splash pad is currently in the works!

During the decade 1831-1841 four separate delegations of the Salish and Nez Perce Indian tribes traveled to St. Louis to petition for “Black Robes” to live among them. Belgian Jesuit, Fr. Pierre Jean DeSmet, along with 5 missionaries were sent in response to the requests. On September 24, 1841 St. Mary’s Mission established the first church in the Pacific Northwest and the first settlement in Montana. In November of 1845, Fr. Anthony Ravalli, S.J., arrived at St. Mary’s after being recruited from Italy by Fr. DeSmet. Fr. Ravalli was a true renaissance man in addition to being a Jesuit priest. He was Montana’s first physician, surgeon and pharmacist. Fr. Ravalli was an architect, artist, sculptor, and built the first grist mill and sawmill. He was assigned to St. Mary’s during 1845-1850 and again from 1866 until his death in 1884. Ravalli County was named in honor of Fr. Ravalli in 1893. Historic St. Mary’s Mission truly is “Where Montana Began” 48 years before Montana became a state. The photo gallery in Chief Victor’s Cabin, circa 1861, brings a sense of the 19th century when the Indian and European cultures merged. The Chapel, Fr. Ravalli’s log cabin and pharmacy are all restored to the 1879 era, furnished with items handmade by Fr. Ravalli. The Salish encampment represents the native homeland of the Bitter Root Salish, while St. Mary’s Chapel represents the first pioneer settlement in the Montana. Historic St. Mary’s Mission is the story of remarkable people in a turbulent time, and the assimilation of two very different cultures against the backdrop of the American Frontier. Walk through history and see, touch and hear this fascinating, controversial, and important chapter of this nation’s past. More about St. Mary’s Mission on page 57.