What Was Montana’s First Town? It’s A Genuine Debate

The debate rages on about what is the oldest won in Montana because several places have claimed that distinction.

Montana first became a state on November 8th, 1889. Big Sky Country has a deep history with the gunslingers and the expansion of the West. Montana is filled with natural beauty and incredible communities.

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Many townships were established when Montana was a territory, but which was the first?

Are those the first towns, or do you have to consider what were the first established towns after Montana became a state? It's a rough question, but we might have some options.

Most folks would say the oldest town in Montana is Stevensville. Stevensville was established in 1841 and built the first church in the Pacific Northwest. Nestled in the Bitterroot Valley, Stevensville is said to be the first settlement that united Native Americans and European settlers.

Then there is Fort Benton. Established in 1846 as the premier fur trading post in the Pacific Northwest, the town is known as Montana's longest continuously occupied settlement. Fort Benton calls themselves the birthplace of Montana.

During the 1860s, several high-profile towns and cities were established, like Bozeman, Helena, Virginia City, and Missoula. Each town was created as a spot for folks to stop as they hitched their wagons to go further east or settle down in Big Sky Country.

So when folks ask what is the oldest town in Montana, it's up for debate between Fort Benton and Stevensville. They were established decades before Montana became a state and created viable communities that thrived.

It all depends on who you ask.

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