Vista 2020 - Page 15
ictor The town of Victor once had to change its name from Garfield, after President James Garfield, to the name of a chief of a Salish Native American tribe. The new name came when the town attempted to establish a post office only to find the name Garfield was already taken. The town was founded in part by A.S. Blake and his Native American wife, who came to the area in the 1860s. Blake was later elected the first state legislator of Missoula County, a part of which would later become Ravalli County. In any direction from Victor, there is something to do, from a horseback and hiking trails, to river access and more. Visit the Victor Heritage Museum, stop by a farmers market, or stay at one of the many lodges and bed and breakfasts near the town.
Victor Heritage Museum
The Victor Heritage Museum is located in a building at the corner of Blake and Main that had once been the Victor train depot. Originally built in 1928, it was moved to its current location in 1990. It now houses the history of the region told through artifacts of Native Americans, the railroad, churches and agriculture. The museum gives a tangible look at what the lives if the people who had lived in the area were like, from school to the mines, ranching to the expansion of the telegraph lines. A gift shop sells books that were written about the history of the area and in some cases penned by its inhabitants.
This includes the Bitter Root Trails series, chronicling the history of area pioneer families. The heritage museum is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is open from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and on other special occasions. More information can be found online at victorheritagemuseum. org or by calling 406-642-3997.
Highway 93 Bike Path
A paved bicycle path connects Hamilton to Missoula in a 45-mile stretch that runs along Highway 93. The bike path is relatively new and is kept in great shape. The path is a smooth ride for anyone who prefers road bikes over mountain bikes. The Eastside Highway that connects Florence to Hamilton is another fantastic option for seeing the Bitterroot on a bike. Ride through the valley, experiencing the rugged peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains, the serene waters of the Bitterroot River, or the rolling fields and hills to the east. Make a full day of it and head from one end to the other, stopping in towns like Florence and Victor along the way. During the summer in particular, dozens of bikers take to the path each day to enjoy being outdoors in the Bitterroot. Local bike stores are a great place to get more information or to inquire about renting bikes. Contact Chad DeVall at Red Barn Bicycles 406-363-2662 or Randy Leavell at Valley Bicycles & Ski 406-363-4428 both in Hamilton.
