8356 Tongue River Rd Birney, MT 59012

Seller and Sellers agent require a prequalification letter or a verbal conversation from a lender that buyer is pre-qualified prior to setting up a showing. The Hill House in Birney, Montana, was originally built by Joseph Cook, brother to Francis Cook Alderson in the 1930’s. It was located on a hillside on historic* Bones Bothers’ Ranch on the east fork of Hanging Woman Creek bordering Custer National Forest. See Supplemental. In 1955 it was purchased by the Connecticut artist Theodora DeVinne Lane, taken apart, and rebuilt in its present location six miles away on 40 acres of prairie located on a hill above the Birney town site. The home sits at an elevation of 3,277 feet on a natural bench above the Tongue River. The river which can easily be seen from the property rolls by 152 feet below the home's elevation providing dramatic view sheds of not only the river valley, but also the ponderosa pine and red shale high hills that surround the valley. The Hill Top property has a nice mix of terrain features consisting of a relatively flat land which transitions into a very interesting draw extending to the center of the property from the river bottom. This feature provides excellent wildlife viewing as animals migrate to and from the river bottom. A nice variety of song birds and upland game birds visit the property as well as deer and other small animals.

A large rock fireplace dominates the 20' by 22' living room, all rocks being hewn from the Three Circle Ranch just below the hill. Most doors in the house are handmade from cedar with distinctive hand-forged hinges and latches. Most of the 6/6 windows have original glass. The living room has a cork-tiled floor, the bedroom and dressing area have carpet over finished fir flooring.

The kitchen was remodeled in 2009, with hand crafted cabinets from William Ziegler, cabinet-maker from Sheridan. There is a master suite with bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom with original fixtures. Part of the studio was converted to a laundry/storage area in 2000.

Additions:
Art Studio:
Theodora married Robert Hare Jones in 1957 and they added an art studio for her on the north side of the house in late 1957. It is a split-level room- the top level serves as a guest area with ¾ bath, and the studio is on the lower level.

Sun Porch:
Teddy died in 1960 and Robert remarried in 1964. He and his new wife, Christine, converted the open porch on the south side to a sun room that is usable year round. Christine's second husband, Stephen Valentine III built the deck and arbor on the north side of the house between 1998 and 2000.


* Bones Brothers Ranch is listed on the National Historic Register