Residents of historic Stevensville, Montana proudly welcome you to the place “where Montana began.”
Located in Ravalli County after renaissance man Father Anthony Ravalli, this beautiful town has seamlessly merged frontier life, the Jesuit faith, and Salish Indian culture.
What started as an experiment in the first permanent non-indigenous settlement of Montana became a thriving bridge between local communities.
At the request of the Salish tribe, Jesuit missionaries established St. Mary’s Mission in 1841, the first of many new accomplishments in the state. As a Jesuit priest, pharmacist, builder, and community guide, Fr. Ravalli set the tone for today’s tight-knit southwest Montana mountain town.
Read on for more information about where to hike, grab a beer at a local brewery, or learn more about this place of historic firsts.
The Best Hotels in Stevensville
BEST OVERALL
Bitterroot River Bed & Breakfast
- Golf Course
- Couples Massage
- Pets Allowed (Dog / Pet Friendly)
Main Attractions
Historic St. Mary’s Mission & Museum
A very obvious first stop for any traveler is this famous mission site nestled in the Bitterroot Valley.
Originally from Ferrara, Italy, Father Anthony Ravalli was recruited in November 1845 to build this Jesuit mission at the continuous request of the local Salish Indian tribe who had received a taste of Christianity.
Blending local native culture with Christianity, Fr. Ravalli established this mission out of the raw and wild potential of the area.
As a beloved priest, pharmacist, sculptor, machinist, and healer, Fr. Ravalli gained the trust of local indigenous natives – and his footsteps remain all over St. Mary’s Mission, including his handbuilt furniture.
Eventually standing as the Jesuit Rocky Mountain headquarters, this site now has a chapel, Fr. Ravalli’s residency and pharmacy, and a replica of a Salish encampment.