Battle of the Big Hole National Battlefield:
Approximately 65 miles southwest of Anaconda lies the Big Hole National Battlefield, site of one of the last battles between the United States Army and the Nez Perce Indians.
It happened in the summer of 1877, when 800 Nez Perce Indians began a four-month trek from northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho over the Bitterroot Mountains and through the Montana Territory. They were attempting to escape from being put onto a reservation. This was one of the most important battles, and people can find out much more about the site by visiting.
For more information, call (406)689-3155.
This mansion was once the home of Montana Senator William Andrews Clark, who was Butte's first, last, and wealthiest Copper King. Construction began in 1884, before Montana became a state, and the the cost surpassed the cost of the original Silver Bow County courthouse, which was built in 1883.
It is open daily for guided tours from May 1st to October 31st, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (406)782-7580 for more information.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site:
There is a frontier cattle ranch on the north edge of the town of Deer Lodge, Montana. It was once headquarters to an operation which grazed more than ten million acres in four states and Canada. Today, you can see the 23-room ranch house, barns, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, wagon collection, livestock, and more.
This ranch is run by the National Park Service, and is open year-round. In the summer months, a small entrance fee is charged.
For more information, call (406)846-2070.
The Historical Society was founded in 1865. Included in the museum is the Charles M. Russell gallery, a documentation of explorers Lewis and Clark, Yellowstone National Park, and many other topics of interest. It is located in Helena.
No admission fee is charged.
The mansion was built in 1888 by entrepreneur William A. Chessman, for his wife Penelope and their two children. After the year 1900, railroad contractor Peter Larson and his wife Margaret resided in the house, followed by Harfield and Kathryn Conrad of the influential Conrad family of Great Falls.
The State of Montana acquired the mansion in 1913 to serve as the first official governor's residence. For nearly half a century, Montana's governors and their families lived there.
It is now owned by the Montana Historical Society. Admission is free, and tours are available by appointment. Call (406)444-4789 for group reservations.
St. Mary's Mission was established in 1841 by Fr. Pierre DeSmet, who came in response to requests for Black Robes by various Indian tribes of present day western Montana and Idaho. It became the first permanent white settlement in Montana.
Today, Old St. Mary's stands as a monument to those heroic sons of the mountains, through whose efforts the first trail into Montana was blazed with the Cross, and to those dedicated Jesuits who were the pioneers of Montana's pioneers.
It is located in Stevensville, 28 miles south of Missoula.