Square Butte Ranch for sale in Montana

This ranch has what every operator is looking for—a cattle-ready setup with grass and water, all within the shadows of Square Butte. You get a sense of the place right away, a feeling of history that happens when a ranch has been in the same family for generations. This land has great potential for custom built improvements, creating a one of a kind ranch for its new owners.
 Bill Boyce

SQUARE BUTTE RANCH

ABOUT SQUARE BUTTE RANCH

Situated in the heart of C.M. Russell country, located just south of Geraldine, Square Butte Ranch offers ample water supply with a carrying capacity of 120± Animal Units. The ranch’s captivating rock formations sit in the shadow of nearby Square Butte. Steeped in history and stories, the ranch has been in the same family for three generations and has been maintained with pride through the years. With roughly 100± acres of productive dry land hay acreage, over 3,300 acres of grazing pasture, over 3.5 miles of Flat Creek, 4 stock tanks, and 2 reservoirs—this cattle-ready grass ranch provides the perfect environment for cattle to flourish. 
 
  • 3,469± total acres, 3,149± deeded acres, 320± state acres
  • 3 miles to Geraldine, 27 miles to Fort Benton, 67 miles to Great Falls
  • Cattle-ready with perimeter and interior fences in place
  • Ample and dependable natural water sources plus various stock tanks
  • Carrying capacity of 120± Animal Units
  • Over 3 miles of Flat Creek, which flows year-round
  • All water and mineral rights actually owned by seller will convey to buyer at closing

HISTORY

The unique history of Square Butte Ranch provides a story of perseverance, family loyalty, and land stewardship throughout three generations of the Tanner family. Brothers Wilbur and John Tanner originally homesteaded in the area and quickly began to develop the land—putting it to use at its highest potential. Hereford cattle, wheat, and barley painted the landscape for decades as generation after generation worked the land. All three generations of Tanner’s have memories of working the land together, season after season, experiencing all of the highs and lows that are part of the ranching lifestyle. Wilbur’s son managed the ranch after Wilbur & John, and then Wilbur’s granddaughter took over the management in the 1990s. The ranch continues to provide a place to create and keep family traditions alive. The Tanner’s fondly remember climbing the cliff in the early summertime, enjoying the holidays with an abundance of cousins, school biology class trips to Square Butte, and hours spent hunting prairie dogs, swimming in the reservoirs, and finding fossils from the days when the Missouri River used to go through the area.
 
An old quarry remains on the property. Fully operational for over 20 years, it was a main source for large granite stones used to create memorials, monuments, and grave markers throughout Central Montana. The most notable places of use are a Fort Benton memorium dedicated to Sacajawea and her child Pompey and the still standing historic jail in the town of Square Butte. It is also thought that the enormous granite stone used as the marker at the grave site of C.M. Russell may have come from the quarry.
 
Although much history has been made on the ranch over three generations, there is still plenty of opportunities for a new owner and their family to build their own legacy at Square Butte Ranch.

LOCATION & ACCESS

Just 3 miles south of Geraldine, Montana, the Square Butte Ranch main entrance is conveniently located just 1.5 miles west of Highway 80. Flat Creek Road, a county road, travels through the entirety of the ranch, which is well kept and allows for simple access anywhere on the ranch all year. Situated in the “Golden Triangle” of Montana’s Hi-Line, this area is most notable for productive ground, mild winters, and small town charm.
 
  • Geraldine:  3 miles
  • Fort Benton:  27 miles
  • Stanford:  38 miles
  • Great Falls:  67 miles
  • Lewistown:  73 miles
 
DOMESTIC AIRPORTS
75 miles: Great Falls, MT (GTF) Great Falls International Airport
 
OTHER PUBLIC AIRPORTS
32 miles: Fort Benton, MT (K9A) Fort Benton Airport
101 miles: Havre, MT (KHVR) Havre City-County Airport
 
PRIVATE AIRPORTS
72 miles from the ranch, Lewistown Municipal Airport (KLWT) can accommodate a wide variety of private aircrafts. With three runways, the longest at 6,100 ft., this full service FBO airport is ideal for regional jet series sized aircrafts.  

IMPROVEMENTS

With intact perimeter and interior fence lines, 4 stock tanks and several other reliable water sources, Square Butte Ranch is ready to support cattle immediately. There are multiple scenic building sites on the property, ideal for a new home or other facilities.

GENERAL OPERATIONS

With a carrying capacity of 120± Animal Units, this third generation family operation has all the necessities for cattle to flourish. The perimeter fence lines are in good condition and internal fences are in place for easy grazing rotation. Over 3 miles of Flat Creek runs through the property, serving as a reliable water source, and is typically open all year. Two additional reservoirs and four stock tanks add to the ranch’s water supply. 
 
Of the 3,469± total acres, 3,149± acres are deeded and there are 320± acres leased from the state of Montana that will convey with the sale. Roughly 174± acres of the state lease are in a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), while the remaining is utilized for grazing. Approximately 71± acres of the deeded ground is dryland alfalfa, which combined with the state lease farm ground produces a rough total of 300 tons of hay in an average year. Historically, the ranch owner feeds 1 ton per Animal Unit through the winter months. This cattle-ready operation has all the building blocks a rancher needs to prosper.

RECREATION

Recreational enthusiasts will enjoy the endless miles of terrain perfect for ATVs or four-wheelers, and hikers have plenty to explore across the diverse landscapes of the ranch—especially the notable Square Butte. If you look closely, fossils can be found at the base of the cliff,  a reminder of the long and varied history of this land. Hunting for prairie dogs or searching the quarry for quality granite boulders and stones are some of the activities unique to the ranch. 
 
The famous American Western artist C.M. Russell frequently featured the landscapes and historical subjects found in Central Montana in his work. Over 2,000 pieces of his work and other artifacts are displayed at the C.M. Russell Museum Complex in Great Falls, just over an hour away. 
 
 

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