1752 Mountain View Orchard Road, Corvallis, Mt 59828
Our History
Family owned and operated since 1910, we are celebrating over 100 years and 3 generations of growing apples in the Bitterroot Valley.
Swanson’s Mountain View Orchard was founded in 1909 by Swedish immigrant Charles J. Swanson and his wife, Emma Lynde, during the early years of the Bitterroot Valley’s “apple boom.” At the time, the valley was becoming known for its potential as a major fruit-producing region in Montana.
The Bitterroot Valley is often referred to as a “Banana Belt” because of its relatively mild climate compared to other areas in the state. With four distinct seasons, the region experiences warm, dry summers and moderate winters, making it well-suited for agricultural production. The combination of fertile soil, good drainage, and favorable temperatures supports a wide range of crops, including apples, cherries, pears, and root vegetables.
The landscape is characterized by numerous orchards that take advantage of the valley’s growing conditions. These conditions contribute not only to the quality of the fruit but also to the longevity of multi-generational farms like Swanson’s.
The Bitterroot Valley remains one of Montana’s most productive agricultural regions, where a combination of climate, soil, and tradition continues to support farming families and local food systems.
The first known Montana apple orchard was planted near Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley in the 1840’s by Fathers Ravalli and DeSmet.
The first commercial apple orchard goes into production in Stevensville, MT.
In 1909, during the early years of the Bitterroot Valley’s “apple boom,” Swedish immigrant Charles J. Swanson founded the orchard with his wife, Emma Lynde.
Charles had discovered the property years earlier while vacationing in the Bitterroot Valley. He was drawn to the hillside where the orchard still stands today, recognizing its natural slope as ideal for apple production and frost mitigation.
Determined to start a new life in Montana, Charles made the significant decision to leave Sweden and purchase his first parcel of land – 20 acres at $20 per acre.
To support the farm while waiting for the apple trees to mature (a process that takes 5–6 years), Charles diversified his crops and took on additional work. He joined the flume crew of the Bitterroot Valley Irrigation Company, which was building the irrigation ditch system critical to agriculture in the region. Earning $2 per day while supervising 30–40 men, he was able to hire help on the farm for $1 per day, reinvesting the difference into orchard expansion.
In 1975, he planted his first 4 acres of apple trees, followed by an additional 5 acres in 1978.
Between 2000 and 2012, he gradually expanded the orchard to its current size of over 25 acres—home to approximately 8,500 trees. Rather than planting all at once, Charlie chose to grow the orchard in stages, using available capital and cash flow to fund each phase of expansion.
The Mouw family has expanded the orchard's offerings to provide more homegrown goodness for Montana. Learn more.
Over the decades, Swanson's Mountain View Orchard has received national recognition for its high-quality apples and still remains committed to serving its community and customers more than 100 years since its founding.