History:
This point along the Bitterroot River south of present-day
Lolo was a camp for the expedition on both legs
of the trip. They rested here at the mouth of Lolo
Creek in 1805 before setting out on another grueling
trip, this time on the Lolo Trail. This trail through
the Lolo Pass would take the Corps 11 days to cross.
After a two day rest, they set out on September
11, concerned about their lack of provisions. Game
would be scarce, if not nonexistent, in the mountains
and the provisions they had with them were all but
gone.
They did get one piece of good news from their guide.
He told them of a reliable trail east to Gates of
the Mountains. It would take weeks off of their
return trip.
In 1806 the returning expedition divided here to
follow different rivers. Lewis headed north to explore
the sources of the Marias, hoping to find a natural
northern boundary for America's new territory. Clark's
party followed the Yellowstone.
The valley has seen a good deal of history and has
been put to many uses. The Bitterroot River has
always been a popular fishing corridor.
In 1841, famed "black robe" Jesuit Father
Pierre De Smet established a Catholic mission at
Stevensville. St. Mary's Mission was built at the
request of the Flathead tribe. It was abandoned
and sold for $250 in 1850 to John Owen. Fort Owen,
a trading post built of adobe and logs, later served
as agency headquarters for the Flathead Reservation.
Around the turn of the century, the valley was apple
country, but nitrogen-poor soil and fractious weather,
doomed the industry.
