Vista 2020 - Page 25
amilton Hamilton is the largest town in the Bitterroot Valley and the hub of its activities. In the early 1890s, Marcus Daly, who made a fortune in copper mining in Butte, brought in two town planners to lay out what would become the town of Hamilton. The town was named after one of the planners, James Hamilton. The other planner, Robert O’Hara, became the town’s first mayor. The Daly Mansion built by Marcus and
later renovated after his death by his wife, sits just east of the town. The mansion’s grounds are the setting for several events during the year as well as being open for tours. Hamilton holds events all year round, but their frequency and size ramp up during the summer. The Ravalli County Fair brings in more than 20,000 people each year. Hamilton has a lively downtown, a strong arts community, and is the perfect jumping off point for a trip in the Bitterroot.
