Victor is on the west side of the river and is near the site of the Curlew Mine. The mine was a very lucrative silver producer. In the mid 1860’s, A. Sterne Blake and his Shoshone wife came to the valley and were among the original founders of Victor. Mr. Blake was the first elected State Legislator from Missoula County. At that time Victor was part of Missoula County.

On December 8, 1881, part of the present town lying south of Main Street, twelve blocks, was laid out
into a town site by Judge Woody of Missoula, Montana, and named Garfield. Later changed to Victor, in honor of Chief Victor of the Flathead Indians. White men who studied about Chief Victor later found he was very wise and one of the greatest military and political leaders of his time. He was early on one of the chief opponents of having his people leave the Bitterroot Valley.

The Indians had favorite campsites in this area and built a ‘Sweat House’ on Sweathouse Creek, which is adjacent to the town of Victor. Chief Victor, for whom Victor was named, lived on Sweathouse Creek and it was near where he lived that the Sweat House was built. This is an excellent history of Victor, known as the ‘Victor Story’ by Jeffrey A. Langton.

Additional land was purchased from J. P. Martens, B. F. Tudor and R. S. Fowler, and incorporated into the town site August 10, 1877, by A. B. Hammond, A. S. Blake, B. F. Tudor and J. P. Martens. At that time there were in the town two stores, and two saloons, with six families residing in the town. There were several buildings in the process of erection.

The first school house was built of logs, with a dirt roof, and stood at what is now the west end of Main Street. Mrs. N. B. Liter and J. J. Bond were among those who taught there. Mr. Bond remained active in school work in this community and was appointed Superintendent of Schools of Ravalli County in 1893 when the county was formed. His daughter, Mrs. Anna Herbert, taught here in 1886, and in 1894 she was elected County Superintendent of Schools.

Victor’s second school building was a frame structure that stood on Martin Street north of the present location of the Federated Church. It had a seating capacity for 40 or more pupils. This building was sufficient to care for the needs of the community up to 1896 when the east section of the present school building was erected. In 1909 the building was enlarged by the addition on the West. In 1915 the building for the primary grade and heating plant was erected and to this was added the gymnasium in 1934. With two teachers in 1896 and about 60 pupils, the school has grown to its present size of 12 teachers, and 265 students, 83 in the high school and 182 in the grades. A new elementary school addition was finished in 1951.

For more information on Victor stop by and visit their museum at 125 N Blake St in
Victor, MT 59875-9470

Qwivals is a new recreation center for the Victor area. Just off Highway 93, 4 miles south of Victor, this center offers recreation for the whole family. Indoor and outdoor activities, Pizzeria and and Ice Cream Parlor with lots of games for everyone. Go Carts, bumper cars, Minature Golf, BMX track and the Maize are just a few of the things happening at the great event center, just outside Victor.

Annual Victor Events:

Chief Victor Day – August 12. 24th Annual Civic Club Event
This is a unique community celebration honoring Victor and descendants of Chief Victor of the Salish Tribe. A parade downtown livens up the town to a full day of vendors, food, games and entertainment. Breakfast in the Park is served at Victor Park starting at 8:00am until 11:00am. Friday evening prior, the Victor Volunteer Fireman sponsors a community spaghetti dinner at Victor Park beginning at 5:00pm. So if you want to attend an old fashioned event, don’t miss this one.

Bitterroot Valley Communities: