Where Montana Began...

This is where Montana began in 1841 when 2 Jesuits from St. Louis who were summoned by the Nez Perce and the Salish arrived with the first vehicle to enter Montana, a 2-wheeled ox-cart. St. Mary's Mission became the first white settlement in what was to become Montana Territory. One of the Jesuits, Father deSmet returned to Europe and came back with a recruit, Father Anthony Ravalli...a true renaissance man. He was an architect, artist and sculptor. He was also the first physician, surgeon and pharmacist in Montana. Word spread about the Black Robes and many tribes came to see and learn about this strange white man's power...to live for eternity. The original St. Mary's Mission was burned to the ground by the priests in order not to be desecrated by a Blackfeet incursion and this one was built 16 years later. It was later added on to, as you can see by the "Telescope Architecture" to accommodate more followers. The complete history can be found here.
several missions were established later in Montana, but none so popular as that led by Father Ravalli, who was beloved by the Salish and Nez Perce. His gentle ways were looked upon with great favor. There was always peace between the incoming settlers and these tribes in what is now western Montana and notably Ravalli County, my home.... until the Army decided to chase Chief Joseph and his people across the mountains. And that, my friends, is another story....