Florence Community

Photo by Perry Backus

community of FLORENCE

Its earlier settlers called the town ‘One Horse’ for the little creek that drains through it from the Bitterroot Mountains. In 1880, the town was renamed Florence for the wife of A.B. Hammond. Mr. Hammond was instrumental in opening the Bitterroot Valley for lumbering, and brought the railroad to the Bitterroot to transport timber. He set up a sawmill in the center of one of the Bitterroot’s best logging areas, and this site became the town of Florence in 1888. There was a town to the north called Carlton, which merged with Florence, thus the school name of Florence Carlton. Around the turn of the century, Florence had a post office, railroad depot, hotel, Catholic and Disciple Churches, I.O.O.F. Hall, blacksmith shop, livery stable, school, several stores, a small creamery and, of course, saloons.

Threemile Wildlife Management area encompasses 6,050 acres. The area may be accessed by two-wheel drive vehicles between May 15 and December 1. The area lends itself to mountain biking in the summer - motorcycles and ATV’s are not permitted in this area. The primary goal is to provide winter range for elk and compatible recreational opportunities for the public.

Threemile provides a mixture of motorized access and walk-in hunting opportunities for elk, mule deer, grouse and black bear. Regulations for hunting district 204 apply to Threemile.

Few elk inhabit this area during the summer months, but are often observed nonetheless. Most likely are songbirds and raptors. Activities offered are: bicycling, big game, bird watching, bird hunting, bow hunting, deer hunting and camping.

Threemile Wildlife Management area is located 9 miles east of Florence.