Stevensville, Montana was the first permanent white settlement in the state. The first Saint Mary's mission was built in 1841. It was purchased by John Owen in 1850 and renamed Fort Owen.
The second St Mary's Mission was built in 1866 (just to the west of town.
Context: Towns-Montana
- Missoula, Montana (62 pictures) With the establishment of railroads and trade routes just to the north, Missoula, Montana slowly became the major trading center for western Montana, while Stevensville retained its small town flair.
- Highway 93 (207 pictures) The new Highway 93 passes to the west of Stevensville, making Stevensville an off the beaten track getaway for tourists.
- The Bitterroot (65 pictures) The Saint Marys Mission (renamed Fort Owens) was the first settlement in the Bitterroot Valley.