Hamilton, Darby & Sula Areas
Hamilton: 2005 Population Estimate: 4,443
For More information, visit: http://www.cityofhamilton.net/
In the middle of the Bitterroot Valley, in Ravalli County, is the county’s seat of Hamilton. Hamilton is approximately 42 miles south of Missoula on Highway 93. Hamilton is home to over 4,000 people, and the immediate area around the town has somewhere over 12,000 people. If you are looking for an area in Montana that is mild in climate, rich in western flavor and cosmopolitan in a casual sort of way, then Hamilton is a must visit.
Downtown Hamilton has several historic buildings with many unique shops and restaurants. Main street boutiques offer a variety of goods from cowboy boots to gourmet supplies and furniture and rugs for your home. Eclectic cafe's and specialty shops add interest to the inviting walkable environment with colorful awnings and no parking meters.
Looking west on Main Street is a beautiful view of the mountains. Just finished in the spring of 2004, there is a newly revitalized downtown. New streetscape, trees, and street lamps make way to enjoy the unique downtown shops. Highway 93, which goes all the way through town, also boasts unique shops, grocery stores, and gas stations.
The Chamber of Commerce is located on the corner of Main and Highway 93. The city offices are located in the historic Bedford Building just across the street from the Ravalli County Courthouse. The Ravalli County Museum, housed in the old courthouse, was built in 1900. Each July, Hamilton comes alive as the entire town celebrates ‘Daly Days’ in honor of the city founder, Marcus Daly. This event includes arts, crafts, and food vendors on the streets. The local businesses hold their annual sidewalk sales, games for the kids, and just a block away at the park the Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Micro-Brew Festival; all this makes for a weekend of events, sharing, reminiscing with old friends, and meeting new friends. The events include a good ‘old fashioned’ street dance in the middle of town bringing the seniors and youngsters an opportunity to dance the night away together in a family atmosphere.
The town of Hamilton hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year including the Senior Pro Rodeo, which brings contestants from all over the United States and Canada, the Blue Grass Festival, Apple Days, and the Ravalli County Fair, are just a few of the events. Thanksgiving weekend brings the Christmas light parade complete with caroling, wood burning barrels to warm your hands, and hot cider for all to enjoy. Hamilton, the county seat, has an elected mayor in the community of 4,163 in the city limits and sits on an elevation of 3,572.
There is a new high school in Hamilton as well as a surge of new commercial activity. Marcus Daly Hospital and clinics provide medical services. The Stock Farm is a new Tom Fazio designed private golf club that is a recent addition to the Hamilton area. The club has over 2,600 acres of open space for the 18-hole course and an elk preserve. The beautiful 18-hole PGA public course is well known and well maintained. Fishing, hunting, rafting and hiking are all just minutes away from Hamilton.
History:
Hamilton was not a pioneer village in the days it was founded. Instead, it was a planned town of wide streets and avenues, a complete economic center for an area of farms and stock ranches. History of Hamilton began when Marcus Daly, a great finance figure of the 1880 era in Butte and Anaconda mining development, made his way into the Bitterroot Valley seeking interests other than mining. About 1887, Daly bought up small saw mills west of the present site of Hamilton and almost overnight had established a lumber making industry on the bank of the Bitterroot River. Marcus Daly’s next move was to bring two men from another state to plan and develop his dream town. They were James Hamilton and Robert O’Hara, who came from Minnesota in 1890. Daly named Hamilton after James Hamilton and the town was incorporated in 1894, and Mr. O’Hara was named the first mayor. Daly’s town had a bank, stores, school, and four churches – a ready-made Hamilton!
Darby:
This area is the most alpine area of the Bitterroot Valley. The elevation range is around 4,000 feet, which will bring more snow in the winter, but also more sunshine. The population of the Darby/Sula area is estimated at over 3,000. The used-to-be lumber mill town offers a grocery story, pharmacy, a couple of taverns, gas and convenience stor, antique maill and a multitude of fine dining establishments. Darby is the gateway to the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness and the Anaconda Pintlar Wilderness. Access to these areas are from Highway 93, the West Fork Road and the East Fork Road. The headwaters of the Bitterroot River are located in the south Valley, thus providing an opportunity for fantastic fly fishing year round, rafting and canoeing. Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski area and Chief Joseph Cross Country Trails are within a 20 minute drive and offers 4 double chair lifts, 3 surface lifts, 40 runs, an 1,800 vertical drop and short lines.
The Darby area is primarily Forest Service lands and many large ranches, thus providing abundant open space. Trapper Peak towers over some sections of the Valley at 10,131 feet, the tallest peak in the Bitterroot Range. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the convenience to many hiking and biking trails, scenic unspoiled Lake Como and Painted Rocks reservoir.
History
Darby was established in the early 1800’s. The area became a good place for a store and post office due to the increase in logging and ranching in this area. The railroad was soon extended to Darby. Darby was named in 1888 by its Postmaster James Darby who consulted no one about what the town should be named. (Earlier names were Doolittle and Harrison). Darby has survived three fires that destroyed its main street. The ups and downs of its economy have affected Darby’s growth. First it was the mining and fur trading that slowed, then in the early 1900’s came a logging boom for Anaconda Mining Company interests. The "Apple Boom" was also during this time. Next came the steady growth of agriculture, cattle ranching and the timber industry.
In the early 1900's surveys were begun for the Bitterroot Irrigation District using Lake Como, which is directly west of Darby. Rock Creek is the main source of water for the lake and a dam was built at the outlet to impound the runoff water to be used for irrigation. The lake with the dam holds approximately 34,000 acre feet of water.
Lake Como, has had many names over the years. The Indian name for the lake translated to the 'Lake of the White Moose'. For many years there was an albino moose that stayed around the lake. Another name commonly used by hunters and trappers was Rock Creek Lake. It referred to the lake as a 'place little known except by hunters and trappers".
Darby has changed over the years from a sleepy little town, to a thriving little community. It's unique shops and friendly people make this town one of the valley's best places to visit.
Going north from Darby we follow the Bitterroot River with its numerous dams and ditches that irrigate the floor of the valley. We come to Sleeping Child Creek. There are a number of stories as to how this area received its name, however, they all agree that it was named by the Indians. They left a child there near a hot springs while hunting, gathering berries or preparing for battle. Our story was that it should have been named weeping child, as it was weeping and not sleeping when they returned.
Annual Events:
Third weekend in August – Darby Fun Days.
Take a drive through the scenic Bitterroot Valley and enjoy the view of mountains and river on your way to ‘Celebrating Community' Darby's 13th annual Darby Fun Day that includes a 1-mile, 5K, and 12K fun runs (starting at Lake Como), parade, community market, live entertainment, evening dance, kids' games and events for the whole family. A deep-pit BBQ is offered as well as a variety of refreshments, plus great specials from local businesses.Third weekend in July – Darby Strawberry Festival.
The Strawberry Festival old-fashioned ice cream social. Music is provided by local musicians. Enjoy angel food cake with strawberries and ice cream. Raffle items usually include a handmade quilt a deacon's bench full of food, a gift certificate for $500.00, a handmade elk horn knife and a hand made quilt. This is the annual fundraiser for the Darby Volunteer Fire Department.Third weekend in July – Darby Logger Days.
This is an annual event for Darby, with many old fashioned logging competitions. This event has become bigger every year and is one you will not want to miss.
Sula:
Rugged beauty and an abundance of wildlife surround this small settlement at the valley's south end. Big horn sheep crossing the highway is a frequent occurrence here and elk can be observed during winter and spring in the foothills of both mountain ranges. The East Fork of the Bitterroot River flows past Sula and is famous for some of the best trout fishing anywhere. This area is truly a recreational paradise.
History:
The Sula(Ross Hole) area is best known for being the place where Lewis and Clark expedition met the Shoshone Indians.
All information has been obtained from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and Nelson Promotions, Inc. The Community profile information was adapted from the "Ravalli County Community Profile".
