1868 in Three Forks, MT

$319,000

Pending Sale

Added to OHD on 6/4/23 - Last OHD Update: 7/25/23

60 E Old Town Main St, Three Forks, MT 59752

1 Bed
1 Bath
568 Sq Ft
1.22 Ac.

Original 1868 homestead. House is in surprisingly good shape and would be a great candidate for historical renovation! Many outbuildings including storage sheds, chicken coops, and a large shop. 1.22 acres with room for a new house in addition to restoration of the homestead. This property consists of 10 lots in the original town site of Three Forks, known as Old Town. No known covenants or zoning.

Listed With

Justin Joyner, Montana Land Buyer Realty :: (406) 220-5233

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DeborahH | 247 comments

3 months ago

What an adorable little home. And lots of wide open spaces. I’m a bit surprised at the price tag, though. Seems high for such a small place…almost California prices! (I live in CA, so I know!) But one site I found said the median price here is almost $500k. Maybe due to tourism? Three Forks is near the headwaters of the Missouri River, Lewis & Clark Caverns, etc.

OdieK | 214 comments

Reply to DeborahH | 247 comments

The price amazed me as well. Yes, its near Yellowstone and lots of (for us) major population centers. Bozeman isn’t that far away and certainly within shopping distance. Montana has been discovered by lots of very wealthy newcomers. Many of them are stars in the entertainment or investment industry. The sad fact is that those who were born and raised here can’t afford to live here. The TV show, Yellowstone,has finished bringing the state to the forefront of peoples attention. With all of that said, I still don’t think the price is right on this house. The fact that it’s still standing is amazing in itself as Montana is not well known for architectural restoration until the last few years. Finding an original structure that hasn’t been plasticized is extremely rare. Maybe that is part of the price.

QuiltingWitch | 169 comments

Supporter

Home prices in Montana have skyrocketed. Tourism is part of it but the larger problem is people moving in from California (no offense meant). They sell in CA for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. When they get to MT, they have lots of money to burn and will bid over asking price. I recently left the state after 15 years and the changes in real estate were mind blowing.

Sue S. | 339 comments

Longtime Montana resident here. What others have said is true, between the pandemic and that *&!% show “Yellowstone,” the state has been discovered by wannabe ranchers and pavement princesses (you know, those folks that buy a huge off-road vehicle and then never take it off-road). The listing says “1.22 acres with room for a new house in addition to restoration of the homestead” and I would bet you that someone will buy this for the land and tear down everything already there, then build their McMansion. If we hadn’t already bought a house decades ago, there is no way we’d be able to afford to live here any more. Goodness knows how we’re going to afford our increasing property taxes in years to come. Sad, sad state of affairs.

J.Scott | 1261 comments

Well that mountain range makes a great view.

Gregory_K | 1985 comments

Homes such as this are disappearing at a frightening rate. This must be saved, and saved sympathetically.

John Shiflet | 7144 comments

Reply to Gregory_K | 1985 comments

Agreed, Gregory. Maybe the pandemic years had something to do with it but this year I have seen more endangered properties than I can ever remember. Then there’s the disappearing Churches phenomenon. Not a week goes by without more churches being lost to demolition. Places like Bodie, CA retains dozens of faded structures like these but they are protected from vandalism. When left in the open, like these are, their fate is far less certain. It’s so frustrating seeing accelerated losses at a time when building materials and labor costs are at an all time high. I can only hope someone comes forward to save these soon.

Reply to John Shiflet | 7144 comments

Well said John!

Jeff | 393 comments

Without getting too political, it’s part of the modernist ethos to destroy much of our history and traditions, . There are plenty of articles about this starting with the interstate highway bill and the urban “renewal” movements if one does a little digging. Unfortunately now, it’s a reflection of a culture that no longer values these artistic treasures.

MJG | 7072 comments

Reply to Jeff | 393 comments

I couldn’t agree with you more. I have even heard comments on some house tours in the last few years that I couldn’t help to rebuttal where some people thought it was unnecessary to celebrate these homes because of the inequality of the day. Which is ridiculous. Every decade is going to have some type of stupidity. We should be taking the good and bad and using it as a tool but not eradicating it with disgust. There are great things and not so great things that come from each generation of humans and the good things should be celebrated and the bad things should be discouraged. Ok Kelly, delete this comment if I got too political.

Reply to MJG | 7072 comments

This is very disheartening to hear MJG, yet not surprising. Also in a quest to “display their individuality” or “put their stamp” on something, many properties are being disfigured horribly, when really previous generations might just decorate a home to reflect their tastes. Furniture, wall & window treatments, and landscaping are all low-impact design wise and easily reversible. Unsympathetic additions, new windows/doors, removing bearing walls are reversible too, yet at a much higher cost.

This approach is really due to arrogance, and ignorance in my opinion.

100 percent correct! Will just mean that these historic homes will dwindle till they’re nonexistent.

Boobtube | 519 comments

I’m a sucker for out buildings and this property has plenty. I hope this home can be saved. Some kind of protective cjear stain that keeps that weathered appearance for starters.

DianeEG | 913 comments

Reply to Boobtube | 519 comments

An interesting note on painting: My very experienced old time painter said unpainted siding often becomes sealed to an almost car finish that protects the wood. It’s done by a combo of the weather and sun. To paint, that finish must be sanded or the new paint will peel off. Anyone else ever hear that theory?

celeste | 313 comments

Reply to DianeEG | 913 comments

Interesting, indeed. I hope someone knows the answer, though I trust your OG painter’s wisdom, it would help to add some more voices.

That wouldn’t surprise me, the oxidization and weathering of untreated wood probably doesn’t help paint adhesion. Clear finishes offer some protection, yet still allow UV’s rays to degrade wood over time. The best choice is solid color stain or paint, and with new siding finishing both sides and all edges before installation will seal the wood and prolong the finish exponentially.

Kirsten | 911 comments

I love the idea of preserving the weathered look of the place. Great call!

Cora | 3166 comments

Moderator

What a treasure. I hope the right buyer comes along for this historic gem.

I’d like to get a closer look at that stove. I just know there were plenty of delicious meals cooked up there!

David | 692 comments

Green Acres!

Reply to David | 692 comments

“…is the place for me….”

dhh177 | 131 comments

The price must be the Yellowstone effect on Montana property values.

Joseph | 61 comments

Indoor plumbing?

Grant | 2002 comments

Reply to Joseph | 61 comments

Looks like it’s about 50 feet away in its own building next to the metal barn.😂

Picture #4 appears to show a drilled well.

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