For a complete listing of Montana Broker Properties Agents with bios, click here!

History of Montana Broker Properties

Montana Broker Properties was established in 2004 by Shirley Layne who had been actively working in Sweet Grass County for eight years to protect open space from subdivision. Shirley decided to pursue this effort by getting her real estate broker license, and taking a new approach to the profession by helping buyers and sellers better understand that this open land is both fragile and a scarce commodity. When people see these wide open spaces and think “how could a small development on a hundred acres matter, they forget that undeveloped land in the United States is being swallowed up at lightening speed – covered by concrete, light, noise, and pollution – and they have come HERE because it is almost the last place in our country to find space, clean air, peace, and wildlife.

In 2005 Dude Tyler joined Shirley to form an alliance that will effectively connect buyers, sellers, ad conservation resources to protect and preserve this rare commodity we are so lucky to enjoy. Shirley and Dude have now formed a partnership in Montana Broker Properties, LLC – and as owners of the company are building a select sales force of agents with the same values. Heather Burdette from Silver Gate, and Jeff Cahill of Livingston are now agents with Montana Broker Properties. Offices are located in Big Timber and Livingston.

To learn more about joining the Montana Broker Properties sales team, contact Shirley Layne at 406-932-4540 or Dude Tyler at 406-223-0551.

Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, Montana

The town of Big Timber is said to have been named by William Clark on his voyage up the Yellowstone at the end of Lewis and Clark’s historic Voyage of Discovery expedition in 1806. The giant Cottonwood trees that line this beautiful river were Clark’s inspiration for the name.

Big Timber is located in Sweet Grass County, a small community of 3000 anchored in 100+ years of sheep and cattle ranching. Many persons in the county still own and work he ranches homesteaded by their families several generations ago. the town has a great hotel which was restored and placed on the Historic Register several years ago. There are also great restaurants, several wonderful clothing stores, flower shops, a hardware store, grocery, drug store with an old fashioned soda fountain, banks, specialty stores, filling stations, a library, and much, much, more. Although a country and easy feel, Big Timber is very much a part of the 21st Century.

The Sweet Grass Museum opened ten years ago, where one can really see the history that abounds in the county. Sweet Grass County was the wool growing capital of the United States at the turn of the century. The museum building is flanked by a fully restored one-room school house and beautiful old cemetery sheltered by tall Evergreen trees.

Coursing through and around the county are many sparkling creeks and two beautiful rivers – the Yellowstone River which is the longest un-dammed river in the United States; and the Boulder River. Both of these are spectacular trout streams.

To the north there are breathtaking views of the beautiful Crazy Mountains. There is abundant wildlife: deer, elk, bear, eagles, cranes, geese, pelicans, fox, etc. and of course terrific fishing. Popular activities for locals and visitors alike are hiking, horseback riding, star gazing (yes, you can actually see stars here), and just resting in the peace and quiet. For more information about Sweet Grass County go to the links page.

Silver Gate, Montana

Silver Gate, Montana - Yellowstone Park's quiet entrance.
“People live here because they have a connection to their surroundings. For some, it is a retreat from the hectic pace of daily life. For others, it is a way of life. Whether it comes from exploring the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, backpacking and fishing in the Beartooth Mountains, or watching the moose through your kitchen window, everyone in this valley has a strong sense of place.”
— Heather Burdette

Silver Gate, Montana is nestled between Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley, Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, and Wyoming’s Sunlight Basin and Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Area. Silver Gate is located one mile from the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and is the most pristine gateway community in the country.
Known as “Yellowstone’s Quiet Entrance,” Silver Gate is an ideal destination for wildlife viewing, fly fishing, hiking and backpacking, cross country/backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and photography. The original covenants for the town are still in place, and require that all construction be of log or natural materials. The year-round population of Silver Gate is 8, and there are approximately 100 summer residents and landowners.

Cooke City, Montana, is located 3 miles to the east of Silver Gate and 4 miles from the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Cooke City is a base camp for visitors to Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains. In the winter, it is one of the country’s premier snowmobiling and backcountry skiing destinations. The year-round population of Cooke City is around 75, and the summer population rises to about 300.

The recreation opportunities in the area are almost limitless. World class fly-fishing attracts anglers from all over the world. Millions of acres of wildlands are accessible by foot or horseback. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, and wildlife viewing.

Any direction from which you enter the valley is an experience in and of itself. Silver Gate and Cooke City lie along US Hwy 212, the Beartooth National Scenic Byway.

From Red Lodge, Montana, you travel through rugged terrain over the Beartooth Pass to 10,947 feet. High alpine lakes and incredible views make the drive truly unforgettable.

From Cody, Wyoming, the journey brings you along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and through Wyoming’s Sunlight Basin. The road follows the Clark’s fork of the Yellowstone River

Winter access is through Yellowstone National Park traveling south from Livingston through Gardiner and Mammoth to Tower Junction and on to Silver Gate a trip of about two hours.