Montana’s Flathead Valley is home to an exclusive second home community that is unlike any other: The Kootenai. Situated on 42 acres of virgin forest along the crystal clear waters of Swan Lake and just outside Bigfork, Montana, The Kootenai has stood for more than 100 years. Once a private retreat for two of the wealthiest mining icons in the country, this lakeside oasis has been restored to become one of the most sought after residential communities in the West. In its heyday, The Kootenai was frequented by such notables as J.D. Rockefeller, Charles Lindbergh, Will Rogers and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, just to name a few.

Another famous visitor at The Kootenai was celebrated Western artist Charles (Charlie) Russell. In fact, Russell’s final, unfinished artwork was titled “The Kootenai Lodge.” Recently, The Kootenai unveiled a completely restored cabin named after the artist. The Russell Cabin was originally built in the 1880s and served as the Lodge on property until the 1920s when the Great Lodge was commissioned. As a completely renovated home, the Russell Cabin still bears many of the hallmarks of the original layout and stands on its original footprint with wings added to accommodate modern day needs and desires.

This 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom lakefront beauty has spectacular views in all directions of Swan Lake and the mountains beyond. The home features and over-sized gourmet kitchen with an adjacent breakfast room as well as a formal dining room. On the ground floor there is a master suit and large office. Upstairs a lounge and VIP bedroom suite can be found. There is a laundry room on each of the home’s two levels. Baths feature walk-in showers and custom furniture-style vanities with marble tops and in the master bath there is a jetted tub and rainfall showerhead. Although a historic home, the Russell Cabin features all of the modern day comforts including multi-scene programmable lighting systems, custom thermal pane Low-E windows, multi-zoned heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, Viking Professional series appliances with stainless steel finishes and is wired for state-of-the-art security, fire and life safety systems. The cabin also offers hardwood flooring and two stone and wood fireplaces as well as such embellishments as custom decorative ceramic tile in the kitchen and baths, custom chandeliers an lighting fixtures, custom solid core hand-distressed doors and hand-applied glazed finished on built-in cabinetry and moldings.

With 6,309 square feet of interior space and 1,195 square feet of outdoor living area and nestled into a unique community that will be home to only 42 families, the Russell Cabin at The Kootenai in one of the few homes in the world that captures the true essence of old Montana.

For more information, please visit www.thekootenai.com or call (406) 837-3000.

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