Florence MT Neighborhood Information

Florence Highlights

The community of Florence lies along the Highway 93 corridor and was once known by the early settlers as One Horse for the creek that flows into the Bitterroot River from the mountains to the west of town.  In about 1880 the town was renamed Florence for the wife a A.B. Hammond who had a saw mill near the location.  Hammond was an early settler to the Missoula area.  Eventually, Florence also merged with the small community of Carlton.  Therefore the school is known as Florence Carlton.

Recreation and Activities

Florence is an unincorporated community but it has an active Civic Club and much of the community revolves around the school system.  The Bitterroot River is easily accessed by Montana State Highway 203 or commonly known as the Eastside Highway.  The Florence Bridge Fishing Access is maintained by the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks and is a popular "put in" or "take out" point for fishing the northern reaches of the Bitterroot.  Two other fishing access points on the river to the south and north of the community at Poker Joe and Chief Looking Glass access points.

Schools

The school system includes grades K through 12.  The school website for the Falcons includes events and schedules.

Neighborhoods

Florence is the closest community in Ravalli County to Missoula and as such has experienced strong growth over the past 30 years.  The zip code for Florence is 59833.  The older portion of Florence includes a business district that has developed along Highway 93 with a few gas and convenience stores as well as several Bar, Grill, Casinos including the Rustic Hut, a popular watering hole in the north valley since 1973.

Across the river to the east there have been several communities including Hidden Valley, Bull Run and the developments along the Eight Mile Road.  Many of these homes are situated on between 1 and 5 acres.  Further up Eight Mile, one will find the areas off grid in the Woodchuck area.