Certainly the big skies, snowpeaked mountains and bloody history of the state have inspired. On september 4, 1805, in the upper bitterroot valley of what is now western montana, more than four hundred salish people were encamped, pasturing horses, preparing for the fall bison hunt, and harvesting chokecherries as they had done for countless generations. Montana is the perfect backdrop for burke, whose characters share an abhorrence for the tyranny of rules. After reading janice mineers heartbeat of the bitterroot, i think i may need to take a vacation to the bitterroot valley someday. Here on we are actively scouring online for useful sometimes funny information on hamilton montana and the bitterroot valley. Ravalli county museum is operated and supported by the bitter root valley historical society and is a 501c3 irs qualified charitable organization. History of the stevensville area of the bitterroot valley stevensville historical society on. Being a correct and impartial narrative of the chase, trial, capture, and execution of henry plummers road agent band, together with accounts of the lives and crimes of many of the robbers and desperadoes by thomas j. Museums and historical centers in the bitterroot valley, montana. Effects of douglas fir establishment in southwestern montana mountain big sagebrush communities. Montana genesis, a history of the stevensville area of the bitterroot valley written by the stevensville historical society. Distribution, habitat selection and survival of transplanted columbian sharptailed grouse tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus in the tobacco valley, montana.
The bitterroot valley, one of the major northsouth valleys of northwest montana, stretches south from missoula and i90 some 95 miles to the idaho border at lost trail pass the principal thoroughfare is us highway 93, a major route that runs from its northern extremity at the us and canadian border to its southern extremity in southwest arizona. Stoneydale press publishing company, which has been in business in stevensville since 1978, publishes books on a wide variety of topics ranging from montana and local history. Montana eden land use and change in the bitterroot valley, pre. Billy bob holland visits doc voss, his old vietnam war buddy, in the bitterroot valley of montana. Burks new book tells essential story of montanas wild. Learn more about the unique mix of community, values, and opportunity that make this one of the last best places on earth to live. Download a map of historical sites and museums in the bitterroot valley. During the decade 18311841 four separate delegations of the salish and nez perce indian tribes traveled to st. The story of the bitter root valley in montana library of the state university of montana. Montana is the perfect backdrop for burke, whose characters share. There was no irrigation, and since the grasshoppers had visited the country that summer there were no signs of vegetation.
This is a big color book of one of montana s most beautiful and famous areas. The history of montana and specifically the bitterroot valley is brimming with a pioneer spirit of hardy men and women. To find addition homes or land in your price range, go to our web site at. The small pink blossoms of this plant prompted the naming of the bitterroot river and surrounding mountains and. History and culture of the bitterroot valley in 1864 the pioneers found the bitterroot valley a desolate place. Bitterroot history bitterroot valley chamber of commerce. History of hamilton, montana and the surrounding area. The stevensville historical museum houses exhibits on the history of stevensville, recognized as the first permanent caucasian settlement in the state of montana. The bitterroot valley, approximately 96 miles long and 20 miles wide at mid valley, was the ancestral home of the salish flathead indian tribe long before the white man ever set foot in the valley. Skyes montana cottage is a sweet home which we maintain for family, friends and guests who come to visit the bitterroot valley. Bitter root valley historical society home facebook. About the book set in the bitterroot valley of montana, home to celebrities seeking to escape the pressures of public life, as well as to xenophobes dedicated to establishing a bulkhead of patriotic paranoia, burkes novel features billy bob holland, former texas ranger and now a texasbased lawyer, who has come to big sky country for some fishing and ends up helping out an old friend in trouble. There are recreational activities each season of the year.
The bitterroot valley, approximately 96 miles long and 20 miles wide at midvalley, was the ancestral home of the salish flathead indian tribe long before the white man ever set foot in the valley. Buy a cheap copy of bitterroot book by james lee burke. This historic landmark in montana s bitterroot valley is currently utilized as the quintessential western backdrop for a worldclass film crew. At the southern end of the valley, lost trail pass bisects the montana idaho border. Army when, in 1850, he purchased the land and remnants of. This is a big color book of one of montanas most beautiful and famous areas. A number of unique towns sit along highway 93 that runs right through the valley. From explorers to tycoons, history is as thick through this part of montana as the smoke from a campfire. Britain relinquished its claims to the western section in 1846. The bitter root valley historical society is the parent organization of the ravalli county museum. The mission of the bitter root valley historical society is to acquire, preserve, protect and interpret the historical and cultural heritage of the bitter root valley and its people. The bitterroot valley of montana is a hidden treasure. Originally, the bitter root valley was the home of the modern. As the lewis and clark expedition ventured into the territory of a sovereign native nation, the salish met the strangers with.
History and culture of the bitterroot valley lee metcalf. Russ lawrence is a trained natural resource professional, a hiker, photographer and stage actor who has operated a bookstore in the bitterroot valley for a dozen years. Set in the bitterroot valley of montana, home to celebrities seeking to escape the pressures of public life, as well as to xenophobes dedicated to establishing a bulkhead of patriotic paranoia, burkes novel features billy bob holland, former texas ranger and now a texas. It is often referred to as the bitterroot valley, which is named for the bitterroot flower. Ravalli county museum is operated and supported by the bitter root valley historical society and. Originally, the bitter root valley was the home of the modern salish flathead and pend doreille indians. Just the authors beautiful imagery of the landscape kept me thoroughly involved in the novel, not to mention a complex love story, dangerous situations, complicated family life, and interesting, likable characters. There were no roads, railroads, bridges, telephones, or telegraph. Ravalli county is a county in the southwestern part of the u.
The salish people and the lewis and clark expedition. Montana sapphires, diamonds, custom made jewelry, sterling silver. Now, in both lucid text and rich color photography the beauty, charm and rich history of the bitterroom valley is presented in 8 12 x 11 picture book format with. Bitterroot lewisia rediviva wander the high country of montana in late may or early june and you may see a striking pale pink flower. Founded in 1890 against the backdrop of the lush bitterroot valley, the town of hamiltons history revolves around timber, the railroad, and agriculture. History of the stevensville area of the bitterroot valley. Marys mission in western montana served the salish indians and other roman catholic residents of the bitterroot valley. The bitterroot valley is located in southwestern montana, along the bitterroot river between the bitterroot range and sapphire mountains, in the northwestern united states. Montanas official state website brief history of montana. The history of wilderness in montana is available in many book stores and gift shops in the region, as well as direct from stoneydale press, 523 main street, stevensville mt 59870. The origins of the mission in the 1840s are well known, but its second life between 1866 and 1891 was also important.
While the seemingly untouched natural treasures of the bitterroot would seem to say otherwise, there is no denying some important people have passed through this valley before. Bitter root valley historical society, hamilton, montana. Includes historical information on the big ditch development, the bitterroot district irrigation co. Retrace the steps of lewis and clark at travelers rest, learn about montanas oldest town at st. Tribes include the crows in the south central region, the cheyenne in the southeastern part of the state, the blackfeet, assiniboine, and gros ventres in the central and northcentral areas, and the kootenai and salish in the western sector. This ephemeral perennial plant grows on welldrained gravelly soils in dry shrublands, often dominated by sagebrush, but also in pinonjuniper woodlands, oak woods, and.
This montana property is for sale by montana westgate realty, inc. Folks, the plight of the early settlers in montana covered danger, indians, mining, and, occasionally, hilarious stories that you cant make up. The indians gathered and ate the starchy root of the succulent bitterroot plant. Bitterroot is widespread in the western united states, ranging from washington and california eastward to montana where it is the state flower, colorado, and arizona. Set in the bitterroot valley of montana, home to celebrities seeking to escape the pressures of public life, as well as to xenophobes dedicated to establishing a bulkhead of patriotic paranoia, burkes novel features billy bob holland, former texas ranger and now a texasbased lawyer. Louis to petition for black robes to live among them. Where does the bitterroot valley drive begin and end.
Us highway 93 starts in missoula and runs right through the bitterroot valley. Where montana began 48 years before montana attained statehood. In 1895, inspired by its beauty, the people of montana named this their state flower. Hamilton owes its early history to copper baron marcus daly, whose anaconda company sawmill and private bitter root stock farm dominated the community through the late nineteenth century. Extexas rangers are suckers for old friends in distress, so when vietnam vet and recent widower doc voss calls lawyer billy bob holland from montana with an. The story of the bitter root valley in montana books, pamphlets. Marys mission, explore the lavish summer home of montanas copper baron at the marcus daly mansion.
Bitterroot book by james lee burke official publisher. Until the 1850s, montana was the domain of indians, explorers, fur traders, trappers, and missionaries. Bitterroot valley, montana the whaley family history. In the 1850s this mission became the center of ranching activity in the bitterroot valley of western montana.
967 1087 671 588 1517 725 506 698 24 1273 1387 1020 150 635 278 1433 883 1500 334 1096 35 563 733 291 752 1316 939 466 457 421 858 1064 612 1016