LAHOOD PARK STEAKHOUSE ON THE JEFFERSON RIVER
Cardwell, Jefferson County, Montana
$2,400,000 | 33.79± Acres
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
INTRODUCTION
Steeped in history, the town of LaHood was established in 1928 and was aptly named for the Lebanese immigrant Shadan LaHood, who first came to Montana in 1902, spent several years traveling in a covered wagon between Butte, Dillon, and Missoula selling dry goods. In 1909, LaHood and his wife put down roots, opening a general merchandise store where the future town of LaHood was established and the current day LaHood Park Steakhouse is located.
The general merchandise store met the needs of travelers who were on their way between Madison County and Butte, so it was fitting for the Lahood Park Steakhouse to serve the needs of weary travelers when it was first established in 1950. Since then, the LaHood Park Steakhouse has been a favorite of travelers passing through the area. Also, it caters to the locals, including area farmers and ranchers, who gather with friends and family to enjoy the outstanding cuisine, including certified Angus steaks that LaHood Park Steakhouse is known for.
In 2021, the renowned and wildly popular historic steakhouse burned to the ground in a devastating loss for the rural community. Soon after that, construction on the new restaurant facility began, and it officially opened for business in early 2023 and caters to a packed house almost every evening since. In addition to the beautiful new restaurant facility, which features a lovely historic bar refurbished by hand and installed as a focal point when one walks into the front door of the tavern, the new building also includes a deck for lovely outdoor seating positioned to take in the scenic views and overlooking the pristine waters of the Jefferson River.
The restaurant’s property includes almost 34± acres and features just over a half mile of riverfrontage. A large insulated workshop supports on-site projects and provides ample storage as well. A new owner may wish to utilize the property and add other amenities, such as cabins for lodging or RV hookups, to expand existing business operations and increase income opportunities by providing additional services and amenities heading into the future.
QUICK FACTS
• Just over a half mile of Jefferson River frontage
• 33.79± acres providing ample land to construct residence or guest cabins
• Beautiful established steakhouse with loyal clientele
• Gaming license available for additional income opportunity if desired
• Large insulated and heated shop provides ample workshop space and storage for vehicles and equipment
• Pristine setting along coveted stretch of the Jefferson River
• Excellent fishing along the property; seven major rivers within an hour from the property
• Beautiful scenery and views of surrounding mountains and ranchland
• Highway MT-2 frontage to support additional commercial ventures
• 4 miles to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park; close to Norris Hot Springs
• Along the route to Yellowstone National Park to West Yellowstone entrance
• A short drive to both Bozeman and Butte for major amenities and services
2 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
ACREAGE
A minimally improved 33.79± acre parcel lies along the banks of the Jefferson River close to Cardwell. Expanded commercial possibilities may include the addition of gaming machines allowed under the Montana gaming license but not installed in the new restaurant facility, cabins for rent for anglers and hunters, RV hook ups catering to the needs of travelers and tourists and possibility of a wedding and event venue for special events in the beautiful riverfront setting.
4 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
SCENIC VISTAS
Window tables are in high demand as diners enjoy the gorgeous river and mountain views that surround the steakhouse.
6 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
IMPROVEMENTS
T he L a h ood P ark S T eakhou S e
The newly constructed restaurant facility features a taste of the old with the installation of a historic bar, lovingly preserved with over 1,000 hours of work all done by hand and installed as a focal point when guests enter the tavern. In addition, the new facility features modern conveniences and the finest equipment to ensure quality control standards during food prep to not only meet but exceed the expectations of the local clientele that has supported the restaurant since it first graced the banks of the Jefferson River in the 1950s. Acoustic panels were recently installed in the vaulted ceilings of the new facility to help reduce noise in the main dining room and tavern. A large deck is a highlight and a popular gathering spot for diners to enjoy a cocktail and take in the breathtaking scenery while visting with friends and family.
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
T he S ho P
A large 40’ x 40’ shop provides excellent year-round workshop space in an insulated and heated facility, complete with a bathroom. The shop can support a variety of on-site operations, provide storage for tools and equipment for yard and property maintenance, and is large enough for storage of additional vehicles or recreational equipment too.
(800) 238.8616
RECREATION
The beautiful waters of the Jefferson River are a few steps away from the LaHood Park Steakhouse. The famed Ruby River flows into the Beaverhead just north of Sheridan, Montana, a popular region for fly fishing in Southwest Montana. Soon thereafter, the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers converge in Twin Bridges to form the Jefferson River which flows by the LaHood Steakhouse property for just over a half mile where it meets up with the South Boulder River just to the south. The southern boundary is adjacent to a parcel of State Land for easy access for recreational enjoyment. Popular activities in the area include fishing, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding to name a few.
Photo not taken on property
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
h un T ing & W i L d L ife
The region around LaHood Park is known for its excellent big game hunting and endless outdoor recreational opportunities. Bordering State Land, with abundant Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest Land in close reach, the area attracts outdoor enthusiasts and supports a variety of outdoor activities including hunting. Elk and deer enjoy the lush meadows along the riverbottom land and present excellent big game hunting opportunities.
Photo not taken on property
Photo not taken on property
Fishermen travel to Montana to enjoy the experience of fishing along the many coveted streams and rivers including the Jefferson River which flows alongside the property for just over a half mile. The Jefferson River is well known for its brown trout fishery, though both rainbow and brown trout can be found and often range between 12 to 16 inches in length with many over 20 inches in length. The Jefferson is a beautiful river to float with one of the healthiest and most expansive riparian areas of any river in Montana, which is why wildlife are so prolific along the river corridor. The river is bordered by large cattle ranches and very little development so you can float for long stretches without seeing a house. The South Boulder River joins with the Jefferson River just south of the property. Seven of Montana’s most popular fisheries are within an hour’s drive from LaHood Park providing additional options within close reach for avid anglers wishing to explore and enjoy the best that this region of Montana has to offer.
Photo not taken on property
16 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
Photo not taken on property
AREA HISTORY
History runs deep at LaHood Park, established in 1928 as a stopping point for travelers between Butte and Madison County. Before the town, aptly named LaHood Park for Shadan LaHood, a Lebanese immigrant who put down roots and established a commercial mercantile in the area, it was a stopping point for the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition over one hundred years earlier.
In 1805, Lewis and Clark Expedition camped at the spot that later became known as LaHood Park, enjoying a well deserved elk steak harvesting two elk while there following an adventurous and arduous trip upstream along the Jefferson River to reach that stopping point. Following some respite along the river banks of the Jefferson River the group traveled upstream continuing their famed expedition throughout the west.
Later in the 1840s, Pierre-Jen De Smet, a catholic missionary camped with the Salish Indians near the location that later became LaHood Park. A catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus, Pierre-Jen De Smet was known for his widespread missionary work. He traveled through the LaHood Park area on his way to the Bitteroot region where he established St. Mary’s Mission and later to St. Ignatius, Montana where he established the mission there as well leaving his mark and a legacy of missionary work across the State of Montana.
In the 1930s a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp was established in LaHood Park to support the population of around 200 hired to help on the development of access to the nearby caverns. The caverns, now known as Lewis and Clark Caverns, is also protected as a Montana State Park and is a top tourist site in Big Sky Country.
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
The Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is a fascinating limestone cavern open to the pubic for organized tours. A geologic wonder, the caverns are Montana’s first State Park. Access to the caverns was established by a team of 200 people working with the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in the 1930s. Today the park is one of the most visited sites across the State of Montana and provides visitors a unique experience to walk almost 0.75 miles through underground passageways through the cavern.
Lewis and Clark Caverns photo courtesy of R. Sieben
20 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
The LaHood Park Steakhouse is a profitable, well established restaurant with a loyal clientele a short drive from both Bozeman and Butte in a well-traveled rural Montana location where hunters and anglers, farmers and ranchers all pass by daily and frequent for a great meal and good conversation. Despite the short closure due to structural fire in the old restaurant building in 2021, the new restaurant opened in early 2023 and has not missed a beat showing excellent revenue and return and is a packed house every night. The opportunity could be expanded to include some gaming machines as the restaurant comes complete with a gaming license, a feature in the previous structure. Also the property which offers Jefferson River frontage and almost 34± acres could be utilized for a variety of additional commercial opportunities such as cabin rentals or RV park if a new owner desired exploring other opportunities on this great location.
CLIMATE
Cardwell, Montana, is a relatively arid climate with July highs around 85 degrees and winter lows dipping to 17 degrees. The Cardwell region typically receives on average 13 inches of rain and 60 inches of snow per year. Close to the nationwide average, Cardwell typically receives 186 sunny days per year.
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS
Montana waters, in all their varied forms and locations, belong to the State for the benefit of its people. A water right is the right to use the water within state-established guidelines, and not any ownership of the water itself. Since water rights in Montana are guided by the prior appropriation doctrine, a person’s right to use a specific quantity of water depends on when the use of water began, establishing the relative priority date of use on the water source. The first person to use water from a source established the first right, the second person could establish a right to the water that was left, and so on. Additionally, water users are limited to the amount of water that can be beneficially used. Beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, agricultural, recreational, fish, wildlife and domestic purposes.
Montana is currently conducting a statewide adjudication of all water rights with priority dates prior to July 1, 1973. The statewide adjudication is a court process that prioritizes and quantifies all existing water rights in each Montana drainage basin. With 85 basins in Montana, and over 219,000 water right claims, the statewide adjudication is a massive undertaking that is expected to stretch well into the future. Until the adjudication process is complete, the status of any particular water right claim cannot be guaranteed. Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons do not warrant or make any representation concerning the quantity or quality of any water rights, nor any legal entitlement to use of water rights, permits to appropriate water, exempt existing rights, determination of existing water rights, nor any ditches, ditch rights, or ditch easements appurtenant to or constituting a burden on the property. Water rights claims appurtenant to the property may or may not have been fully or finally adjudicated, and any buyer is advised to make any offer to purchase contingent upon and subject to such independent inspections, evaluations, and advice concerning the water rights and adjudication process as a buyer might deem prudent. All buyers should be aware that Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons involved in this offering have not conducted an expert inspection or analysis of the water rights for this property.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.
LOCATION
C ard W e LL
Named for area rancher and State Senator Edward Cardwell, the small southwest Montana town has maintained its agricultural roots and is just minutes from LaHood Park. The small community represents rural Montana life and supports a K-8 school with around 30 students and a small student to teacher ratio. For high school, students travel to nearby Whitehall which features a nice variety of small town services and amenities including shopping and dining options just minutes from Cardwell.
W hi T eha LL
LaHood Park is about 15 minutes to the small town of Whitehall, in the Jefferson Valley in the shadows of the Tobacco Root and Highland Mountain ranges. Whitehall is within 23-60 miles of three major airports, four colleges, five ski resorts, seven major rivers, mountain lakes for fishing and backpacking, lakes for boating, and three hot springs. There are numerous snowmobiling trails for winter riding and summer trail rides. The mountain ranges surround the valley , which is excellent for big game hunting. Whitehall offers grocery stores, gas stations, schools, churches and several restaurants and bars.
GETTING THERE
The LaHood Park Steakhouse is easy to find as it is conveniently located along MT-2 just minutes from the Cardwell exit off I-90.
AIRPORT SERVICES
The Bert Mooney Airport in Butte is a short 30 minute drive and features a newly constructed terminal and commercial flights on Delta to Salt Lake City for travel ease and convenience from a small, visitorfriendly Western Montana Airport. Butte Aviation offers full service FBO at Bert Mooney to cater to the needs of private aircraft visiting the area. Forty minutes away, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, serviced by many daily flights from Delta, United, American, Alaska, Allegiant, Avello, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, Sun Country, and Jet Suite, flies to destinations around the country. Plus, the Yellowstone Jet Center is well equipped and caters to private and corporate aircraft.
26 LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
SUMMARY
The LaHood Steakhouse and property offer a unique opportunity for an investment-minded buyer looking for a profitable business with established income and riverfront acreage that allows for the development of additional business ventures. In the heart of some of the regions’ prime fishing, hunting, and recreational opportunities, along a route that is popular for travelers visiting the nearby Lewis and Clark Caverns, and on the way to the West Yellowstone entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the LaHood Steakhouse offers a unique opportunity for a savvy buyer. The steakhouse and property is located in a tightly held and highly sought-after region with convenient highway access and in close reach of a wide variety of recreational opportunities that the Montana lifestyle embraces.
$2,400,000
Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange
This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches, Inc and PureWest Christies. Please contact Kimberly Lowry at (406) 490-4323 | klowry@fayranches.com or John McNulty at (406) 880-7355 | jmcnulty@ purewestmt.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or PureWest Christies must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches. com.
PRICE TERMS CONTACT NOTICE
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE
As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:
1. SELLER AGENT
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:
Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
2. BUYER AGENT
(cont)
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.
A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except
a dual agent:
Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.
4. STATUTORY BROKER
A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:
Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE
Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.
6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE
Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.
BUYER AGENT
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.
LaHood Park Steakhouse on the Jefferson River | Cardwell, Montana
NOTES
