POINTS-OF-INTEREST
POINTS OF INTEREST &
HISTORIC SITES
IN RAVALLI COUNTY
DALY MANSION was built in the late 1880's by Copper King, Marcus Daly.
The Mansion was designed by A.J. Gibson in a Georgian Rival Style. It is
the largest private residence in Montana, is two and one-half stories high
and has 40 rooms. There are 25 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a butler's pantry,
walk-in coolers, a large kitchen, and 7 fireplaces, 5 of which are marbled-faced
and were carved in Italy. A trophy room was added in 1914 to display the
Marcus Daly's hunting trophies. The wallpaper was imported from Europe, two
rooms have hand-painted wallpaper, and silk brocade covers the walls of the
entrance hall. The bathrooms have nickel-plateted brass trim and the bath
tubs are decorated with gold leaf stripes.
The Mansion was completed in 1910, to Marcus Daly's specifications,
by his wife, Margaret. After Mrs. Daly's death in 1941, the mansion was closed
and boarded up until 1987, when the State of Montana acquired the mansion
and about 47 acres and was entrusted to the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust
to manage. The Mansion is located on the East Side Highway, about 2 miles
north of Hamilton. It is open to the public for daily tours, April 15 to
October 15. (406) 363-6004
The Daly Mansion grounds are available for special
events, family reunions, weddings, birthdays, etc. Every year, the
Mansion volunteers host a Mother's Day tea on the Saturday before
Mother's Day. During the Daly Days celebration on the the 4th Friday
and Saturday of July, there is a sidewalk sale in Hamilton. The Mansion
is open on Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm for self-guided tours of mansion
which includes a re-enactment with living history performers depicting
family and friends of the Daly family who visited. Children's
activities include pony rides, face painting and children's tea
parties.
ST. MARY'S MISSION
was built by the Jesuit Missionaries in 1841. This
was the beginning of the first permanent non-Indian settlement in what is
now Montana. The missionaries named the little settlement "St. Mary's." The
mission was closed in 1850 because of a conflict with the Salish people and
the property was sold to Major John Owen, a trader with the army. In 1866,
the Jesuits reestablished St. Mary's Mission with a log chapel about a mile
from the old mission. Next to the chapel, they built a house and a pharmacy
for Father Anthony Ravalli. He served as a priest and doctor in the Bitter
Root Valley until 1884.
This historic site is located at the West end of 4th Street
in Stevensville, MT. There is the restored log chapel/residence, pharmacy,
Indian museum, cemetery, park & picnic area, and gift shop. Tours daily
from 10 AM - 5 PM. (406) 777-5734
MEDICINE HOT SPRINGS is a
historical vacation and weekend destination from the early 1900's until
the 1980's. It is located about 4 miles north of Sula, Montana.
RAVALLI COUNTY MUSEUM is housed in the former Ravalli County Courthouse,
which was built in 1900, at 205 Bedford, Hamilton, MT. Exhibits include a
Native American collection, pioneer rooms depicting a trapper miner cabin,
school room and kitchen, plus a large photographic collection. The museum
also has Ravalli County newspapers on film. Obituaries and events are indexed
in a card file.
Hours are Thursday - Monday 10 AM - 4 PM. E-mail Museum
(406) 363-3338
DARBY PIONEER MUSEUM is housed in an original homesteaders cabin located
on Main Street, Darby, MT. Displays include photos, relics and implements
of the area's pioneer past. (406) 821-4503
VICTOR MUSEUM is in the historic Victor Railroad building. Special
features of the museum are Victor school memorabilia, sports photos, sweaters
and equipment. There are also railroad artifacts. The museum is located on
Main Street in Victor, MT.
(406) 642-3416
STEVENSVILLE HISTORICAL MUSEUM is located in historic home on Main
Street in Stevensville. The features of the museum are photo displays depicting
Native American and Stevensville historical development, native artifacts,
old pioneer clothing, furniture, and household items. Early day life in the
valley is portrayed. (406) 777.3201
BLODGETT CEMETERY , a historic family
cemetery west of Hamilton.
BLODGETT CANYON located west of Hamilton.
BROOKS HOTEL - Historic hotel and family-style
dining in Corvallis.