HOLLOW TOP MEADOWS

Hollow Top Meadows is 145-deeded acres offering breathtaking views of the Tobacco Root Mountain Range and Hollow Top Mountain. With no improvements aside from fencing, this presents a unique opportunity to own a sizable acreage with water and privacy in one of Southwestern Montana’s most attractive locales. Located near the historic town of Pony and the ranching community of Harrison, Hollow Top Meadows is within an hour’s drive of Bozeman and Yellowstone International Airport, and within two hours of West Yellowstone.

The north and west boundaries of the parcel border State land which borders the Deer Lodge National Forest enabling direct access to public land for unlimited recreation. The Deer Lodge National Forest, which offers renowned fishing, hunting, and recreational opportunities, could possibly be one of the best National Forest systems in the state.

This beautiful parcel has an abundance of water including year-round Hog Hollow Creek which runs through the middle of the property. The topography of the property creates exceptional wildlife habitat and the opportunity for excellent big-game hunting.

There are several ideal buildable home-site options on the property, and electricity is available along the county road about a half mile from the property line. Currently, there is seasonal access on 145 acres, although with a little maintenance winter access could also be obtainable.

Situated in a great location surrounded by ranches, agriculture, and beauty, this is a premium piece of property at a great price.

Hollow Top Meadows is located about two miles north of the historic mining town of Pony, Montana. The property is accessed via a two-track dirt road for about a half mile off of the gravel county road. The gravel county road provides good access to Pony and County Highway 283.The closest town is Harrison, with limited services including a gas station, grocery store, post office, and café – a classic, little ranching town. Three Forks sits about 20 minutes to the west and provides a variety of services. The small town of Willow Creek – home of the famous Willow Creek Café – is about 15 minutes from the property.Bozeman is a comfortable forty-five-minute drive from the property. The next owners can expect to have their cars parked and lined up to check in at Gallatin Field within an hour after departure from the property. Recently upgraded, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field in Belgrade (BZN) offers several full-service FBOs and excellent commercial services through Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United Airlines. One of the busiest passenger airports in the Pacific Northwest, and the busiest in the state of Montana, BZN offers direct flights to over 20 major airports around the nation including Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City.

Approximate distances to other Montana cities and towns are:

Ennis
Virginia City
Bozeman
Twin Bridges
Butte
Helena
Dillon

37 miles
48 miles
60 miles
60 miles
61 miles
90 miles
130 miles

The Seller will convey with the Ranch 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geo-thermal, hydro-carbon, and gravel rights they actually own, subject to reservations by previous owners. The Seller makes no representation as to the quantity or quality of any mineral or other subsurface rights appurtenant to the Property.

The 2019 real estate taxes for Hollow Top Meadows were $569.77.

The Seller hereby makes known that there may be variations between the deeded property lines and the location of the existing fence boundary lines on Hollow Top Meadows. The Seller makes no warranties with regard to the location of the fence lines in relationship to the deeded property lines, nor does the Seller make any warranties or representations with regard to the specific acreage within the fenced property lines.The Seller is selling Hollow Top Meadows in its “as is-where is” condition which includes the location of the fences as they now exist. Boundaries shown on any accompanying maps are approximate. The maps are not to scale and are for visual aid only. The accuracy of the maps and information portrayed thereon is not guaranteed nor warranted.

Electricity and phone run along the County Road about a half mile from the property boundary. Power is provided by Vigilante Electric Cooperative and the phone is by 3 Rivers Communication.

Hollow Top Meadows sits between 5,280 and 5,480 feet above sea level.The average annual precipitation is 16 to 18 inches. The area’s average growing season is approximately 100 days.Average maximum Fahrenheit temperatures in June, July, and August range from 68 to 80 degrees. In December, January, and February average maximum temperatures are between 32 and 37 degrees.Summer nights average about 45 degrees. The winter average minimum is between 12 and 16 degrees. There is plenty of sunshine throughout the year.

At the base of the magnificent Tobacco Root Mountains is situated the historic mining town of Pony. A drifter by the name of Tecumseh Smith, nicknamed “Pony”, had traveled over the mountain range from the Alder Gulch to seek his fortune in the mountain streams of the area. Legend tells us that “Pony” threw his digging pick into a thicket of brush one day, to his surprise, when he retrieved it he discovered gold where it had landed.

“He was less than five feet tall, his accomplishments in proportion. Few people noticed him as he moved from the creek to creek, panning enough gold to keep him in beans and get him to the next camp. In 1866 he was crowded out of Alder Gulch and Virginia City by bigger men and made his lonely way to the far-out edges of Tobacco Root Range.

He left very little of himself at the creek. The others who moved in to take advantage of the finds could not even remember his name. Was it Tecumseh Smith? One man was sure that was it. Another said, no, it was the other way around – Smith Tecumseh. Still another insisted it was not Tecumseh at all but McCumpsey. Then somebody remembered the little guy answered to “Pony” and that stuck. The diminutive wanderer, although vanished to other parts, left his nickname attached to a creek, a gulch and what would be a booming mining camp.”

During the fall of 1875, quartz deposits were discovered in the mountains behind town and the rush was soon on. Within several years the town had grown to nearly 1,000 people, primarily miners, and merchants. The Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were constructed in 1894, with the Catholic church constructed soon thereafter in 1903. The Northern Pacific Railroad added a spur into Pony in 1889 hauling supplies to the mining town and returning with railcars of ore. By 1878 the gold rush had subsided and the small mountain town dwindled to a mere 100 residents.

Around the turn of the century, the mining industry geared up once again, extracting ore from various mines. During this time Pony thrived with a population fluctuating between 2,500 and 5,000 residents.

In 1920 a horrendous fire swept through the bustling mining town destroying a good portion of the business district and family dwellings.

Today, with a population of about 110 residents, the unincorporated town of Pony has 95 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Frequented by white-tail and mule deer, elk, moose, and upland game birds, Hollow Top Meadows will provide its next owner the satisfaction of living in a beautiful setting along with the peace and quiet of being in the heart of one of Southwest Montana’s finest areas.This area is surrounded by some of Montana’s most desirable recreational areas and picturesque mountain ranges with the Beaverhead and Deerlodge National Forests located west of the property. With the property bordering State land that has access to National Forest, the opportunity to explore public land is unlimited.Trout fishing in this part of Montana is some of the best the Rocky Mountain region has to offer. With several of Montana’s premier trout rivers only 30 to 75 minutes away, the Ranch would be an outstanding home base providing the devoted angler miles of rivers and streams to relish for a lifetime on a comfortable “day trip” basis. Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and the spring creeks of Paradise Valley all within less than an hour. Expanding the scope just a little includes additional notable rivers such as the Jefferson, Big Hole, Ruby, Beaverhead, and Missouri. An indication of this area’s world-renowned trout-fishing reputation is the headquarters of the internationally-known Simms fishing products based in Bozeman and Winston Fly Rods in Twin Bridges.Exceptional skiing is within a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the property with the “cold smoke” of Bridger Bowl, and Big Sky Resort offers numerous trails from novice to expert with “The Biggest Skiing in America”.

Hollow Top Meadows provides a great opportunity to own a sizable acreage in one of Southwest Montana’s untouched valleys within a short commute of Bozeman.The property has been surveyed and pinned and will be conveyed with a recorded Certificate of Survey at the close of a purchase transaction. With several ideal building sites, the next owner will have plenty of opportunities to plan and construct a new compound with their personal touch.With plenty of summer and winter recreational options including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, this property offers the enjoyment of recreating in one of the finest areas Montana has to offer. Hollow Top Meadows provides precious live water, attractive views, and borders State land on two sides, creating easy access to unlimited outdoor activities. With short commutes to Bozeman, Helena, and Butte, this property is ideally located for either a weekend retreat or permanent residence.Hollow Top Meadows is easy to operate and will provide enough ground to pasture saddle horses or run a few cattle to manage the grass. Those who have watched recreational mountain-property values in Southwest Montana for the past several years will find Hollow Top Meadows to be competitively priced in today’s market.

OFFERING PRICE AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

Hollow Top Meadows, as Previously Described Herein, is Offered at $395,000 Cash or Terms acceptable solely at the discretion of the Seller. The Conditions of Sale Are as Follows:

1. All offers to purchase must be in writing and accompanied by an earnest money deposit check in the amount of 5.00% of the Purchaser’s offering price;
2. Earnest money deposits will be placed in escrow with First American Title Company in Ennis, Montana;
3. All Purchasers must demonstrate to the Seller’s satisfaction unquestioned financial capability to purchase the Ranch prior to scheduling an inspection;
4. The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Any endorsements requested by the Buyer or any lender will be at Buyer’s expense. Title to the real property will be conveyed via a deed;
5. All of the water right claims controlled by the Ranch will be transferred to the Buyer at Closing, and all of the mineral rights which the Seller actually owns will be conveyed to the Buyer at Closing;
6. Buyers’ Brokers Are Welcome and Cordially Invited to Contact David Lowry For Information Regarding Cooperation Policies and Commission Splits.

The Seller reserves the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property which the Seller may acquire.

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Seller. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, etc., is intended only as general guidelines and has been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Seller or Swan Land Company. Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.

TERMS OF INSPECTION

A 48-hour notice is requested to make proper arrangements for an inspection of Hollow Top Meadows.

Swan Land Company has been authorized by the Seller to act as their Exclusive Real Estate Broker on the sale of Hollow Top Meadows. Since 2002, we have focused on the brokerage of significant ranches, farms, and recreational properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

This Offering is based on information believed to be correct; however, it is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, and change or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein has been provided by the Sellers or obtained from other sources deemed reliable. The Agent does not, however, guarantee accuracy and recommends that any Prospective Buyer conduct an independent investigation.

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David A. Lowry

406.522.7342 | [email protected]

My love for the land runs deep. I’ve been fortunate enough to lease and own working and recreational ranches in some truly breathtaking places, including Colorado, Montana, and British Columbia. As an avid hunter and angler with an entrepreneurial streak, I’ve always been equally passionate about the working and recreational aspects of running a ranch. ...

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