Fort Owen (1850-1871) - First established in 1850 as a trading post and fort by John Owen and named after him. Abandoned in 1871. Also known as Fort John Owen.
Fort Owen Bastion
Fort Owen East Barracks
Fort Owen Site
Fort Owen History
John Owen purchased a part of St. Mary's Mission from Jesuit Father De Smet in 1850 and established a regional trading post, farm and fort in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Owen operated the post until 1871 when ill health forced him to close the post.
Current Status
Part of Fort Owen State Park, Montana. Contains one restored period building, St. Mary's Mission.
Location: Fort Owen State Park, Ravalli, Ravalli County, Montana. Located 25 miles south of Missoula on U.S. 93 to Stevensville Junction, then .5 miles east on Secondary 269.
Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 474