The ‘Heart of the Valley’
Fertile Soil and Friendly People
Elijah and Margaret Chaffin first arrived in what’s now Corvallis, MT back in 1864.
They chose to settle in the “heart of the valley” for the same reasons people continue to settle in Corvallis today.
It turns out that a convenient location, nutrient rich soil, abundant water, and a great view has always attracted people looking for a better life.
Today, Corvallis enjoys its reputation as a small agricultural community with a friendly atmosphere, tight knit families, and hard working people.
We think the Chaffin’s would be pleased.
Corvallis, MT Location
Corvallis is located in Ravalli County, Montana.
The community is located near the geographic center of the Bitterroot Valley, just 5 miles northeast of Hamilton.
The Eastside Highway connects Corvallis to Hamilton, and Corvallis to Stevensville.
The Woodside Cutoff Road connects Corvallis to US 93.
Corvallis Population
Corvallis is officially a census-designated place (CDP). In other words, Corvallis is an unincorporated community.
According to Wikipedia, the population of Corvallis was 1,125 in the 2020 Census.
This total includes residents living within a 0.6 square mile area surrounding Corvallis town.
Our Bitterroot Valley population article reports 5,709 residents living in the Corvallis community.
This estimate includes everyone living within the 59828 Zip Code that serves Corvallis residents.
Local Services in Corvallis
Corvallis is home to Corvallis School District #1. The District enrolls around 1,350 students per year in grades K-12. Their team name is the “Blue Devils”.
Corvallis Volunteer Rural Fire District provides fire and EMS services.
Law enforcement is provided by the Ravalli County Sheriff’s office.
Several businesses, including retail, banking, health care, restaurants, gas and groceries are located in the Corvallis community.
Corvallis, MT Timeline
Lewis and Clark traveled through the area on their epic journey in 1805 and 1806.
Elijah and Margaret Chaffin arrived in what’s now Corvallis, MT in 1864 on their way to Salem, Oregon.
The Chaffin’s returned to the Bitterroot Valley in 1866 and purchased a 320 acre ranch.
Corvallis School District #1 was established in 1867, as the first School District in Montana.
The Corvallis Post office was established in 1871.
The town of Corvallis was platted in 1879.
Otto Teller and Phil Tawney begin their natural resource conservation efforts in the early 1980’s, which eventually became Teller Wildlife Refuge.
Corvallis School District was recognized as a Federal Blue Ribbon School in 2002.
Points of Interest in Corvallis
Corvallis hosts the annual American Legion Memorial Day Parade. The parade was started by WWI Veterans and has been going ever since.
The Corvallis Grange was started in 1884 to help farmers and ranchers and is still in operation today.
Corvallis is home to Teller Wildlife Refuge, the largest private wildlife refuge in Montana.
The Western Agricultural Research Center operates in Corvallis through the Montana State University Extension Program.
The historic Brooks Hotel was ordered through a catalog and was shipped to Corvallis for reassembly in 1894.
Bitterroot Communities
That’s a Good Question
1,125 residents live in the town of Corvallis. An estimated 5,709 residents live in the Corvallis Zip Code.
406
59828