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Engwis Ranch – Significant Opportunity
Montana, Sweet Grass County, Big Timber
Rarely does a ranch of this historical significance, productivity, recreational value and diversity become available, particularly in the gorgeous Yellowstone Valley. Engwis Ranch is now For Sale by Owner and we have been chosen to support the owner in finding a legacy buyer who will protect and preserve the ranch in its entirety and nurture its special attributes for generations to come. The ranch includes 5,500 acres, of which 900 acres are irrigated, significant adjudicated water rights and all mineral rights, 3.5 miles of the Yellowstone River, 9,500 SF main residence combined with a specialty workshop, indoor riding arena with guest house and several exceptional building sites along the river. This is an exceptional property and one that richly deserves the label—Legacy Property.
Location and Area
 Engwis Ranch is located between Livingston (22 miles west) and Big Timber, Montana (10 miles east) in Sweet Grass County. It is said that Sweet Grass County is where the plains become the Rockies. The Crazy Mountains and the Absaroka Beartooths surround the county on three sides, and the prairie lies to the east. It is the gateway to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and it has the Yellowstone River, Boulder River, and the many smaller streams, providing some of the best fishing, camping, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the state. Big Timber is a quaint town that has a full-time population of approximately 1,800 residences and it shops, bed and breakfast, restaurants and grocers close at hand. Local events and activities include: the rodeo, Sweet Grass Fest, and County Fair, Natural Bridge & Falls,
Half-Moon Park,
Crazy Mountain Museum,
Prairie Dog Town State Park,
Yellowstone Fish Hatchery, and
hiking/fishing
in the Gallatin National Forest.
Livingston, Montana—the Original Gateway to Yellowstone National Park—sits below the first canyon of the Yellowstone River, along the original and only year round entrance to Yellowstone National Park, just 25 miles east of Bozeman.
Lying in a beautiful valley surrounded by four mountain ranges, the community of Livingston is filled with the history of Calamity Jane, Lewis and Clark and the Yellowstone National Park. There are a variety of lodging choices in Livingston to include Bed and Breakfasts, cabin rentals, guest ranches, lodges, hotels and motels.
From fine dining to steak houses, drive through coffee huts to drive-ins, there are many different places to catch a bite to eat or to spend a leisurely evening.
The community also has ample shopping, health care facilities and recreation centers. The area around Livingston has many high country trails and lakes, making it a Mecca for those who enjoy all types of outdoor recreation.
And, there is Yellowstone National Park, a must see.
However, you shouldn’t miss the rodeos, the museums, the theaters, the galleries and the local county fair. Other cities nearby include: Boseman (50 miles east of the ranch) and Billing (90 miles west of the ranch).
History and Philosophy of Engwis Ranch
This magnificent property is the result of consolidating four properties into one contiguous parcel of approximately 5,500 acres. This effort has taken over twenty years to accomplish with two different owners. Pristine frontage along the famous Yellowstone River runs for an amazing three and one-half miles, reaching from beautiful high bluff, to Cottonwood covered bottomland and island-features. From the river the topography rises over several thousand acres of multifaceted crop and "range-land,” proceeding north and extending into the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. A rise in elevation up to 600 feet above the river provides some of the most spectacular scenic vistas found anywhere, providing an overlook of hundreds of miles of green valleys and snow covered mountain ranges. Looking out over the highest vantage points on the ranch one can only wonder what stories the ancient rock outcroppings might be able to tell. They would tell of the Native American Tribes that dominated the area for hundreds of years and of the massive herds of buffalo filling the expanses below. They certainly would recall Captain William Clark and his men crossing the ranch in July of 1806 on their return journey from the Pacific, this fact makes this ranch a place of unquestionable nationally historical significance.
With a reverence and respect for the uniqueness of this ranch, the past two owners have been dedicated to the restoration and preservation of its natural beauty and history. Special emphasis has been provided to the native flora, fauna and wildlife inhabitants. Every effort has been made to nurture, maintain and re-establish natural habitat throughout the diverse terrain of the ranch. Rarely is a recreational/ranch property, as well maintained, and of this exceptional quality found anywhere. The stewardship and dedication toward preserving the immense wide-open space, is obvious at first sight. The Engwis Ranch has been described by prominent real estate professionals as, "absolutely irreplaceable."
A potential buyer with a philosophy and commitment to continuing the preservation of this legacy property would be most welcome. Come tour the ranch with us and see the unique opportunities it presents. Finally, the ranch has been pre-qualified for a valuable Conservation Easement. This should be of consideration to prevent the never-ending threat of encroachment upon, and destruction of, our few remaining substantive wide-open spaces. Not to the mention the nationally historic significance of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This ranch has it all, and is a treasure chest of Mother Nature's very best.
General Property Details
Agricultural Operation
The agricultural productivity of the irrigated acreage is flexible to the owners’ goals and ambitions.
- Approximately 600 tillable acres are available to irrigation by a variety of systems, including six pivots, wheel-lines, pop-up sprinklers and flooding.
- Water rights have early priority dates, from the late 1800's and early 1900's and are abundant, including 22.83 shares of Hunters Hot Springs Canal Company (over one-third of the 62.95 total shares) as well as 7.6 shares of Duck Creek water.
- Typical crops are grass and alfalfa hay at yields of two to three tons per acre. Grain crops do well if desired; the prior owners raised crops of potatoes.
- The use of nitrate fertilizers, which would boost yields, have been limited or excluded as a respectful sacrifice due to the closeness of the Yellowstone River, and irrigation run-off.
- A complete line up of well maintained, (generally newer) equipment is also included with the ranch and would provide for the uninterrupted farming and/or ranching operations. Call for a complete list.
- A highly qualified ranch manager, familiar with every aspect of the farming/ranching and general property maintenance, has been with the ranch nearly four years. It would be his desire to stay on with the new owner. This would be very beneficial in maintaining the continuity of the present operations, if so desired.
Riparian Area
- Lush river bottoms provide habitat for a broad range of migratory waterfowl not to mention local raptors. Each spring, year round resident bald eagles can be observed raising their eaglets in trees near the river.
- Unique private islands provide beautiful park-like settings along the Yellowstone. Cliffs of sandstone rise above, providing a feeling of serenity with an occasional waterfall for background music.
- There is plenty of room for additional pond development, from smaller sizes to several acres.
- These riparian areas are not grazed
Range Land
- Looking across the rangeland is deceiving, hiding the beauty that truly exists. Ride a favorite horse or four-wheeler across this seemingly endless gentle vista and watch the hidden diversity unfold.
- Coulees are filled with lush oases of spring water, aspen groves, cottonwood, juniper, and an occasional pine tree.
- The range is divided into six pastures with spring fed water to each. As pasture they provide natural water and shelter for cattle.
Main Residence
In keeping with the theme of rustic Montana, the exterior of the main residence is redwood that has been media blasted to bring out the grain, then stained and sealed to resemble old barn wood.
- The roofing is heavy cedar shake shingle treated to appear patina copper in color, very unique and fitting. Solar panels assist the domestic hot water system to provide economical hot water.
- The yard is irrigated with popup sprinklers, which feed from the pond.
- The main residence begins with a 6000 SF specialty workshop featuring 6 overhead bay doors, in-floor radiant heat, and a storage loft.
- The shop area includes a kitchen, full bath, and mechanical room.
- Above the shop on the mezzanine level, there is an office, bedroom and storage room.
- A separate elegant entryway for guests will bypass the workshop, to the upper level, which is approximately 3000 SF with 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, kitchen, dining room/living room, small office and large family room with a full river rock Russian fireplace.
- The bedrooms are newly carpeted with top-of-the-line Stainmaster carpet; remaining floors are wood with matching hardwood doors and wainscot.
- Large beam with tongue-and-groove ceilings give the home a spacious feeling, as well as wrap around windows providing beautiful views of the Absaroka/Beartooth and Crazy Mountains.
- Decks on the North and South sides add to the openness and summertime pleasure.
- Hunter Douglas insulating blinds were installed in September 2009, adding a blanket of warmth through the cozy winter months.
- A separate building houses two 1000 gal fuel tanks built to EPA spec's and a separate gardening room.
- A well-maintained machine shed stores large equipment and farm implements.
- A refrigerated cement storage building can be used for vegetables grown on the ranch or just for convenient general overflow storage.
Guest House
- Newly constructed in 2008, this well-appointed structure was built with the feel of Montana and the one-of-a-kind Engwis Ranch in mind.
- Beginning with a Morton outer shell, the inside of the home and arena will surprise and delight you. No cost was spared to make this a unique and extremely useable attribute to the ranch.
- The arena, 82 x 150 SF, is fully- insulated and finished with custom painted walls. Thirty windows and 3 of 4 double XL entry doors contain glass, allow for natural lighting. If that's not enough, turn on the twenty-eight overhead lights and feel like your riding at high noon. Not into horses? You can't beat this kind of storage on a ranch.
- The residential portion is uniquely designed. Floors throughout are reclaimed wide plank oak, giving the feeling of times gone past.
- First level, kitchen with granite topped island, houses stone farmer's sink, two dishwashers, built-in microwave, breakfast bar, and cabinet space.
- The master suite includes a walk-in closet, two patio doors, and bathroom/spa with stone travertine tile.
- This level also features additional full bath, office, laundry room, tack room and living space.
- The next level is a sitting/arena-viewing area, with a wet bar, potbelly stove (propane) and powder room with a genuine antique dresser, customized to support an above-counter solid brass wash bowl.
- A catwalk on the third level connects two rooms to use however you please.
- All rooms are equipped with high-speed Internet and satellite television access.
Indoor Arena
- An artist’s rendition of mountain ranges surrounds the entire arena.
- It is fully finished and insulated providing year round riding pleasure.
- Electrical outlets are placed at every man door and twenty-eight overhead lights are set up with four-use options. No need to light it all if it's not necessary.
- A four-foot door from the arena to the residence enters through the tack room, equipped with its own washer/dryer hook up, utility sink, storage and additional 220 outlet easily accessible from the arena.
- Each of the 6 man doors and 4 double XL entry doors have separate outside lighting and the list continues. You won't be disappointed.
The West Homestead
- The West Homestead is the centerpiece of the livestock operations and is equipped with complete cattle working facilities, including a large calving barn (4,700 SF) with a new warming house inside, suitable for the coldest nights during calving season.
- This homestead has provided sanctuary for many generations of cattlemen and their families. Located within fly-casting distance of the Yellowstone River this site has two "turn-of- the-century" houses (many times remodeled), garages, grain bins, a storage Quonset and a vintage stucco bunkhouse. One of the houses is presently livable and would provide comfortable accommodations for hunters, fishermen or an additional ranch hand.
- Several pastures and corrals have been developed to easily process livestock, while at the same time avoid grazing or disrupting the river bottom pastures, during spring and early summer nesting season.
- This homestead site provides one of the most desirable and sheltered building locations on the ranch. Close to the river and overlooking many acres of river-bottom, as well as several miles of mountain ranges.
- A modern multi- level home could replace the old structures without creating an additional footprint along the unencumbered river frontages, which is only one of many aspects contributing to the desirability of this property.
Wildlife and Recreation
The abundance of wildlife is unsurpassed. It is a naturalist and a photographers dream. The diversity of habitat lures abundant wildlife including antelope, deer (whitetail and mule), black bear, bobcats, various game birds, pelicans, osprey, sandhill cranes, blue herons, migratory songbirds, great horned owls, and other raptors of all kinds. Spring and summer bring migratory birds of every make and model. Their songs can be heard throughout the spring and summer seasons. Beaver ponds, as well as some man-made ponds provide nesting security for many varieties of ducks. The ranch is a recreational paradise with hunting, fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling, cross-country skiing, kayaking/boating all available on the ranch and in the immediate area. As mentioned previously, the area represents one of the most beautiful and active recreational areas in the United States. For those who like golfing, Big Timber has the Overland Golf Course, Livingston has the Livingston Golf and Country Club and Boseman has the Cottonwood Hills Golf Course, Valley View Golf Club, Riverside Country Club and Bridger Creek Golf Course.
Owner Representation $17,500,000
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