Southwest Montana

1butte_area.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:04335YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.southwestmt.comSouthwest MontanaYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.rubyvalleychamber.comRuby Valley Chamber of Commerce10003460<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/TwinBridges_BigHoleRiver.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>The Big Hole RiverPhoto courtesy: Donnie Sexton</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Twin_Bridges_Sacajawea.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Lewis & Clark Interpretive ParkPhoto courtesy: Debra McNeill</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Twin_Bridges_Flotillas.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Floating Flotillas & Fish Fantasies FestivalPhoto courtesy: Debra McNeill</li></ul> Twin Bridges was either named for the two bridges that spanned the Jefferson River nearby, or for two bridges over the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers built by the Lott brothers in 1865. The town is near the confluence of the tributaries of the Jefferson River, which were named by Lewis and Clark in 1805. The explorers chose to commemorate the "three cardinal virtues" of President Thomas Jefferson with the names Philosophy, Wisdom and Philanthropy. These small rivers were later renamed, respectively, the Beaverhead, the Big Hole, and the Ruby.The settlement was first known as The Bridges. The Lotts donated land for public buildings and to individuals who promised to build homes on them. By 1884 Twin Bridges was being served by three daily stagecoaches from Virginia City, Dillon, and Whitehall. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Twin Bridges is not far from <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=3082">Beaverhead Rock State Park</a>. Sacajawea recognized this huge landmark, resembling the head of a swimming beaver, while traveling with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. The nearby Beaverhead River offers great fishing opportunities. Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture hosts a unique river parade, <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=17686">Floating Flotillas Fish Fantasy</a> in July.Elevation: 4,627 feet<map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Ennis, Montana" coords="211,236,242,246" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=106"><area shape="rect" alt="McAllister, Montana" coords="209,225,247,234" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=217"><area shape="rect" alt="Nevada City, Montana" coords="169,226,205,246" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=236"><area shape="rect" alt="Norris, Montana" coords="191,211,222,223" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=239"><area shape="rect" alt="Sheridan, Montana" coords="144,215,169,230" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=306"><area shape="rect" alt="Harrison, Montana" coords="208,178,239,191" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=156"><area shape="rect" alt="Pony, Montana" coords="180,180,204,196" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=261"><area shape="rect" alt="Glen, Montana" coords="93,213,119,228" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=141"><area shape="rect" alt="Dillon, Montana" coords="47,235,86,246" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=92"><area shape="rect" alt="Wisdom, Montana" coords="5,172,42,188" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=365"><area shape="rect" alt="Wise River, Montana" coords="55,143,86,166" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=366"><area shape="rect" alt="Anaconda, Montana" coords="4,93,74,121" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=6"><area shape="rect" alt="Twin Bridges, Montana" co434658TWIN BRIDGESGOLD WEST2768King's Motel16579Flatline Outfitters19097Madison County Fair & NRA Rodeo112060The Stonefly Inn & Flyshop113446Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce113843Montana Mad Hatters115089Madison County Fairgrounds115096Madison County Lewis & Clark Interpretive Park115762The Old Hotel117168Healing Waters Lodge117748Twin Bridges Farmers Market118919Twin Bridges Historical Association Museum119135Blue Ribbon Fly Fishing Vacation Rental120049High Tower Ranch120085The Shack120511Red Shed Gift Shop120672Caddis Fly Cottages121596Jefferson River121901Vigilante View122516Rack and Reel Montana LC1MT59754