The Historic SPORTSMAN’S LODGE · During the ‘50’s live gaming (which was technically...

NOTE: This offering is subject to errors and omissions, prior sale, and/or withdrawal from the market. Statements made by the agents or owners are from sources deemed reliable. Any oral

or written representations by Seller or Broker regarding age of improvements, size, and square footage of parcel or buildings, or location of property lines, may not be accurate. Apparent

boundary line indicators such as fences, hedges, walls, or other barriers may not represent the true boundary lines. Only a surveyor can determine the actual boundary lines. If any of these

issues are important to Buyer’s decision to purchase, then Buyer should consider investigating the property independently. Buyers are encouraged to conduct an independent investigation

prior to purchase of this property and not rely upon representations made by Seller or his agents, including but not limited to boundaries, structural standards or condition, location, value,

The Historic

SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

310 North Main Street Ennis, Montana

219 East Main Street, P.O. Box 546, Ennis, Montana






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

INTRODUCTION

This historic lodge offers a one-stop

location for Restaurant, Lounge, Casino

and Lodging. Built in 1945 of lodge pole

pines, the Sportsman’s Lodge offers the

relaxed country atmosphere and

hospitality that Big Sky Country is known

for. It is a favorite with locals and tourists

alike.

The highlights of the property include: Original, rustic, main lodge of 6,600

SF that includes restaurant, lounge/bar,

banquet room, kitchen, offices, coolers

and storage.

22 original, rustic, log cabins .

Spacious managers quarters or 2

rentable apartments (one 3BR/1BA +

one 2BR/1BA).

Casino with 18 multi-game machines

with revenue in the top 5% for MT.

Bar/Lounge—All Beverage liquor

license and live poker tables

Restaurant with full service dining

room, open for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Guest Services building containing

commercial laundry, shop and

maintenance equipment storage

Banquet room with private bar for

special events

All this on 2.654 acres

Total area for all buildings is

approximately 14,700 SF.

High traffic location on Hwy 287

Well-established, profitable business

with consistent revenue

New 700 SF Party Deck off the Bar/

Lounge






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

LOCATION

Located in a great “cowboy” town with

lots of great shops, saloons and

entertainment, this charming and historic

lodge is in the heart of the beautiful

Madison Valley, just 55 miles SW of

Bozeman, 85 miles SE of Butte, 14 miles

from Virginia City and 85 miles north of

Yellowstone Park.

Madison County is located in

southwestern Montana. The county seat

is Virginia City. The area lies just north of

Yellowstone Park and is heavy influenced

by the recreational use of the mountains

and rivers in the area.

Topographically Madison County is a

typical mountain area with high peaks,

river bottoms, large grassland areas and

some rough country. Madison County has

a land area of 3,600 square miles.

Cities and towns in the Madison Valley

include: Ennis, Cameron, Harrison,

Norris and Pony. In the Ruby Valley:

Alder, Sheridan and Twin Bridges. In

between lies historic Virginia City. The

population estimate for Madison County

for 2010 was 7,690.

The closest city is Bozeman and the

Yellowstone International airport is

located in Belgrade, just an hour west of

Bozeman offering flights on most major

airlines. Flights are also available in Butte

and out of West Yellowstone in the

summer only.

Downtown Ennis

Sphinx Mountain in the Madison Range

Entering “downtown” Pony, MT






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

RECREATION

In an area known for its natural beauty,

the Madison Valley is a great destination

for World Class Fly Fishing on the 50-

mile riffle of the wild trout filled Madison

River.

Tourists also come for great hunting,

hiking, snowmobiling, trail riding,

sightseeing, photography & painting,

historical treasures and just relaxing in a

most serene environment.

Great downhill skiing is just over the

mountain in Big Sky, with two major ski

resorts, Big Sky and Moonlight Basin,

offering outstanding snow, long runs and

short lines.

Just the name, Sportsman’s Lodge, says it

all. This is THE place for sportsmen (and

women) to come for an abundance of

recreational opportunities and an absence

of crowds.

Bozeman offers excellent medical

facilities, wonderful downtown shopping,

great restaurants, symphony, theatre,

ballet, movies, Montana State University

and the Museum of the Rockies.

With Yellowstone National Park just 85

miles south, Ennis is a centrally located

destination for enjoying the Park plus all

of the other recreational opportunities in

and around the Madison Valley.






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

HISTORY

The Sportsman’s Lodge was the dream of

two native Montanans, Otis Crooker and

his wife Laura, both born and raised in

SW Montana.

According to their daughter, who grew up

at the Sportsman’s Lodge and still lives in

Ennis, her parents handpeeled the logs

and built the main lodge, the cabins and

the furniture. Her mother made all the

curtains and bedding.

Otis was a pilot and during WWII was a

flight instructor in the Army/Air Corps

and continued this profession after the

war, operating from his hangar and the

grass airstrip that used to lie just behind

the cabins to the west.

During the ‘50’s live gaming (which was

technically illegal) flourished in the

basement of the Sportsman’s Lodge and

was a big draw to gamblers and

sportsmen alike. Gambling was outlawed

in Montana during the ‘60’s but

continued, underground in many places.

Downtown Ennis, sometime in the ‘50’s

During the heyday of the Lodge ,in those

early years, Shell Oil and other large

corporate planes would land on the

airstrip and bring large groups of people

here for hunting, fishing and gambling.

Bing Crosby was an avid fisherman and

would frequent the Lodge. There is a

photograph of Bing playing piano in the

bar on one of his visits.

Otis had a dream that sportsmen needed a

place to stay when they discovered that

the Madison Valley was so rich in

recreation. Otis and Laura scraped

together enough to add additional land,

cabins and even a pool! They were

“hands on” owners and worked hard to

make the Sportsman’s Lodge the premier

resort in the Madison Valley and to this

day it is known throughout the state and

beyond for being THE place to stay, eat

and play in the Madison Valley.






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

IMPROVEMENTS

The Lodge was sold by its founding

family in 1996 and owned for 10 years by

a family from Billings. The current

owners have made many improvements

to the property since purchasing it in

2006, such as:

Paving of the parking area

New coolers

New steel roofing

Construction of a new 700 SF party

deck on the back of the bar

Refinishing most of the interior and

furniture in the restaurant area

Construction of the new Guest

Services Building, containing

commercial laundry, shop and

maintenance equipment storage.

Installation of a Geo-Exchange

Heating and Cooling System

Installation of a new Point of Sale

(POS) system

Installation of a new security system

Yet the property maintains its original

rustic charm and simplicity. It is the kind

of place fishermen, hunters, bikers and all

kinds of tourists choose if they want an

“authentic” Montana experience.

Montana-style event on the back deck

Homey & charming, authentic cabins






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

The main lodge and log cabins are being

offered at this time with additional,

contiguous property available with Right

of First Refusal. Two of the three parcels

making up the current Lodge property lie

within the city limits and are serviced by

city water and sewer. The largest parcel

of 3.45 acres to the north has wells and

septic systems serving the 11 cinder block

motel rooms, guest laundry, and an

additional manager’s unit.

The property is currently zoned C-1

(Commercial). This zoning allows for

many types of commercial uses.

Wells: No Well Logs or Water Rights

exist for the original wells on the

property. A well of 57’ deep with 40

GPM was drilled in 2011 for the purpose

of geothermal extraction.

FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS AND

EQUIPMENT: All inclusive with the

property. A full inventory list will be

provided to qualified buyers.

BROKERS COMMENTS:

The Sportsman’s Lodge is an important

gathering place in the Madison Valley and

this profitable business has even more

potential for future growth. The

Sportsman has only had 3 owners since

1945 and with the current owners retiring,

it is once again offered for sale. This is a

great opportunity to own a very special

landmark and the current owners will be

happy to assist the new owners in the

transition.

Manager’s Apartment

Sign on the Back Party Deck

Restaurant Kitchen






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

PARCEL DESCRIPTIONS

Sportsman’s Lodge is comprised of 3

separately deeded parcels identified as:

Lot 1, Sportsman #2 Minor Subdivision,

Section 33, T05S, R02W, Plat Book 4,

Page 254, Ennis Montana., Madison Co.

Acreage: 2.654 acres

Log Lodge of 6,600 SF, restaurant,

kitchen, bar/lounge, casino, deck,

banquet room, offices, etc.

22 original rustic log cabin units

2 BR, 2 BA managers quarters

Built from 1945—1950

Guest Services Bldg with laundry

262’ of highway frontage

City water and sewer + 1 well

Taxes for 2012: $7,652.41

Physical Address: 310 Highway 287

North, Ennis MT 59729

Financials: Available to qualified

buyers with Non-disclosure.

PRICE: $1,200,000

For more information contact:

Don or Toni Bowen, Arrow Real Estate

219 E. Main Street

Ennis, Montana 59729

(406) 682-4290, (406) 581-2991

[email protected]

www.arrowreal.com






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

Additional Property Available:

The following contiguous properties

are available with Right of First

Refusal:

Lot 2, Sportsman #2 Minor Subdivision,

Section 33, T05S, R02W, Plat Book 4,

Page 254, Ennis Montana.

Acreage: 3.457 acres north of Lodge

11 cinderblock motel units, built 1958

Guest laundry, pool house &

manager’s unit (old pool reclaimed)

3+ acre special event lawn area

375’ of highway frontage

Two wells and private septic system

Lots 1-8, Blk 4, Love Addition to Ennis,

Acreage: .362 acres south of Lodge

Subdivided city lots planted with

beautiful, mature pine trees.

City water and sewer.

Additional highway signage on

additional Lot 2






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

GoogleEarth Coordinates:

45°21’07.09”N, 111°43’59.44”W, Elevation: 4,963’ at the lodge.






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE






S P O R T S M A N ’ S L O D G E






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE

Well log on the Geo-thermal well at the Lodge






SPORTSMAN’S LODGE AREA INFORMATION:

Ennis, on the Madison River, was named for William Ennis, who was one of the first three men to locate

in the Madison Valley. Ennis was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1828. He came to the United States

when he was fourteen and to Montana in 1863. For awhile he lived in Bannack, then came to the

Madison, where in 1879 he built a store. He became the first postmaster when the office opened in 1881,

and for the next eight-six years Ennis postal service was in the hands of his family; his daughter, Jennie

Ennis Chowning was postmaster 1898-1940. In 1873, Ennis took his family through Yellowstone

National Park. These were the first white children to see the Park. William Ennis was shot on June 18,

1898 while standing in front of the Madison House in Virginia City by a neighbor who was angry

because of an unfounded rumor that Mr. Ennis had maligned his character. He died of his wounds on

July 4th. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Ennis is a good-time western town and is full of cowboys, anglers and outdoor recreationists. The

western flavor is real and there's plenty of action along the boardwalk on weekends. Visitors will find

nearly 3 million acres of publicly accessible National Forest lands surrounding Ennis. Ennis is the center

for activities on the Madison River, which is renowned for its first-rate trout fishing.

The town is also the home of the Ennis National Fish Hatchery. The Fish Hatchery propagates six strains

of rainbow trout that produce 23 million eggs a year for stocking throughout the United States. The

Madison Canyon Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is just south of Ennis on US Highway 287. On August

17, 1959, an earthquake slid half a mountain into a canyon, creating a giant dam and Quake Lake, an

eerie reminder of nature's violence.

Ennis is surrounded by three beautiful mountain ranges: the Madison Range, the Gravelly Range, and

the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to its majestic mountain view, Ennis also offers access to some

of the finest river locations in the state by way of the picturesque Madison River. Also, just west of

Ennis lie the famed western towns of Virginia City and Nevada City. Wander the boardwalks, take in a

play or experience first-hand the 'West' doing a living history weekend.

Virginia City was born with the discovery of gold in Alder Gulch in 1863. A boom town of the post

Civil War era, Virginia City served as the Montana Territorial Capital for 10 years, until the gold ran

out. Just a mile away lies Nevada City, a western town created from a collection of buildings from other

ghost towns. Both towns have been largely restored and preserved and have become living examples of

the real Old West. One hundred fifty buildings have been certified authentic by the Montana Historical

Society. Original buildings, dating from the Territorial days, are filled with merchandise and implements

used when gold camps flourished in the West. Boardwalks, mechanical music machines, a penny arcade,

antique automobiles and even a two-story outhouse add to the Old West atmosphere.

The Opera House features the Virginia City Players' productions in the style of 19th-century. Virginia

City offers the oldest continuously operating summer stock theater west of the Mississippi. Check with

the Chamber of Commerce for a schedule of shows. In Virginia City, you can shop, dine and sleep

without leaving the atmosphere of the 1860s. Dine in the Star Bakery and bend an elbow in the Bale of

Hay Saloon. Relax with a libation at Montana's first brewery, the H. S. Gilbert Brewery, and enjoy a

performance of the Brewery Follies Players. You will find fascinating nuggets of history and memories

to treasure.

http://goldwest.visitmt.com/communities/bannack.htm

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Sportsmans Lodge

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