Mountain Masterpiece by Parallel 45 Farm

Immerse yourself in the quintessential Montana experience. Located one hour from Yellowstone's North Entrance and 30 minutes from Bozeman. This gorgeous 2 bed, 2 bath unit has everything you need to enjoy the greater Yellowstone area in style. Front porch views of the mountains, a relaxing hot tub, and a full kitchen, provide the perfect secluded getaway. Whether your day takes you to Yellowstone or the ski slopes of Big Sky; everything you need is here!

We do not live on the property and prefer to communicate with the app in which you booked.
We have year round renters living in the downstairs of this house. You may see them outside from time to time, and you may also encounter their sweet dogs. Please feel free to say hello!

The history of Cokedale is the story of a town that was, but now is not. The site of the town is nine miles west of Livingston, on a spur of the Northern Pacific railroad. Here until the spring of 1906 was the coal mining camp of the Livingston Coke & Coal company, a town of 200 or 300 people, the inhabitants of which were engaged principally in coal mining. The town boasted of two general stores, five saloons and other minor business enterprises. With the closing of the mine and the dismantling of the works, Cokedale went out of existence, and only the vacant buildings now remain of what was a prosperous mining camp.

Cokedale came into existence in 1886, when the Livingston Coke & Coal company was organized and began the manufacture of coke with twelve ovens in operation. This was the first coke produced in Montana. The business was a profitable one, and by the year 1895, 130 ovens were in operation, and a quarter million dollars was invested in the plant. In 1887 the company built a spur to Cokedale from a point on the Northern Pacific since known as Coal Spur, a distance of four miles.

The first years of the camp's history were lively ones. On June 6, 1889, the townsite was platted by Peter O. Sandelius. Willams’ addition was platted by William H. Williams on July 20, 1892. The postoffice was established in 1889 with Adam Wise postmaster. Many substantial improvements were made by the company, among others the enlargement of the plant. Concerning the camp as it was at that time the Livingston Enterprise on December 25, 1889, said: "Cokedale, the business center brought into existence by the company's works, is a thriving village and can boast of two general stores, a postoffice, boarding house, hotel, two meat markets and numerous other business houses of less importance. During the past summer the company has erected between 30 and 40 neat and commodious cottages for the benefit of employes." The population of the town in 1890, according to the federal census was 284.

July 31, 1895, a disastrous fire visited the camp, destroying the company's engine house, boiler and storage room with its contents, and a large section of the tramway sheds. The loss was $40,000 and was covered by only $11,000 insurance. Because of the hard times under which the country was laboring and, possibly, also because of the fire, the plant was closed down after this event, and for the first time since the company began operations there in 1886 the fires were withdrawn from the coke ovens. This threw 300 or 400 men out of employment and was the means of practically depopulating the town. The pay roll at the time of closing down was from $15,000 to $25,000 per month.

Cokedale remained a depopulated town until the spring of 1903, when active preparations were begun for the reopening of the mine and the beginning of coke burning. A force of men were employed all spring and summer putting everything in readiness, and operations were about to be resumed that fall. But it was not to be, the litigations of Augustus Heinze affected the company operating at Cokedale, and work was suspended. In February, 1905, operations at Cokedale were resumed. The coal mine was opened up and the manufacture of coke was again begun, 100 ovens being in use. Cokedale again became a prosperous little city.

Nearly the entire business portion of the city was wiped out by fire on the morning of Thursday, July 6, 1905, the loss being about $20,000, with only about $5,000 insurance. The fire started in a residence, and within a few minutes after the flames were discovered they had spread to the business houses. The Livingston fire department was sent for, but before it arrived on the scene the town was in ruins. The property destroyed was the general merchandise store of Adolph Jacobs, the building being the property of the Schlitz Brewing company; the saloon of Antone Mlekush, saloon belonging to Geo. Lusine, another saloon, the hall of the Cokedale Coal company, one dwelling and two stables. The buildings were immediately rebuilt.

Monday, March 12, 1906, the Cokedale mine and coke ovens shut down, throwing about 150 men out of work. That the shut down was permanent was evident from the fact that the machinery was taken from the mine and all portable property was removed from the. camp. This was the death knell of Cokedale. The buildings remain to tell the story of what the town had been, but it is doubtful if the town will ever again be populated.

The unit is accessed via a door pin pad. There is plenty of parking for up to three vehicles.

You will have access to the entire top floor of the house as well as the deck and hot tub.

You will need your own vehicle or Uber/Lyft to access the property.

You will have access to the entire upper floor of the home. We have year round renters who live downstairs and utilize the downstairs front porch as well as the garage. Everything on the second level will be accessible to you.

*Prior to your stay, we require you to complete a pre-arrival form and agree to our rental conditions.