Chief Joseph, 250-400 Nez Perce warriors and their families passed through valley in their futile flight to freedom in Canada, in what is known as Nez Perce Indian War of 1877. Their attempt to maintain their freedom and avoid reservation was only time Nez Perce fought whites.

Marcus Daly, one of Montana's famous copper kings, came to Bitterroot in 1888, lured by timber needed for his Butte mines and our mild climate. He purchased 22,000 acres, established Bitterroot Stock Farm, and built now famous Daly Mansion east of Hamilton. In 1890 Daly brought James Hamilton & Robert O'Hara from Minnesota to develop a planned community. The town was named after Hamilton & O'Hara was first mayor. Hamilton was incorporated about 1894.

In 1891 Chief Charlo and Salish Indians, who had befriended white settlers for 86 years now, were forced from their ancestral home. They were one of few tribes to never do battle with white man. In October of 1891, Salish tribe traveled 66 miles north of Stevensville and were settled on Flathead Reservation in Jocko Valley north of Missoula. The valley now belonged solely to white settlers. The Salish people still come to valley on a religious pilgrimage to visit "Medicine Tree", an important religious symbol for their people located along Hwy 93 south of Conner.

There you have it. My top ten reasons to choose a vacation rental. I've written before on benefits of renting private accommodations: http://www.lastminutevillas.net/villa-hotel.html

Of course, I still prefer a tent in a wilderness park, but I might have some difficulty convincing my mother to join us there.