If you happen to’re a fan of the collection “Yellowstone,” you’ve got in all probability been struck by the spectacular nature of Dutton Ranch, the huge (and impossibly lovely) ranch owned by Kevin Costner’s John Dutton of the Dutton household on the present. You would possibly assume that Dutton Ranch is merely a product of Hollywood magic, a mix of various places, units, and particular results, however truly it is kind of an actual place: Chief Joseph Ranch in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.
Chief Joseph Ranch has an extended and storied historical past going again to 1880, when it was first homesteaded by settlers. The two,500-acre unfold was then bought in 1914 by Howard Clark Hollister and William Ford, who commissioned a 6,000 square-foot lodge that is nonetheless standing at present (you’ll be able to see it on “Yellowstone,” on which it performs the function of John’s principal residence on the ranch). It modified arms just a few instances within the intervening years, ultimately falling into the possession of Shane Libel, who acquired a name from the present’s producers just a few years in the past asking if he’d enable the present to be filmed on the ranch. He stated sure, and the remainder is TV western historical past.
Here is how the Chief Joseph Ranch web site characterizes its becoming a member of of forces with “Yellowstone”:
“The Readers Digest model of the story is that it was a chilly name. We didn’t have the ranch listed as a movie location. We’re humbled and honored that Paramount selected our ranch because the setting of this superb collection.”
There’s not a ton of information on the market about Libel – a fast Google search of his title will return principally outcomes about Yellowstone and Chief Joseph Ranch because it pertains to the immensely in style present, however the ranch itself has a number of lore and interesting data surrounding it. It is a working ranch the place followers of the present can go to (and snap a photograph of the Dutton Ranch signal, left up all yr spherical for apparent causes) and even hire a cabin and keep in a single day.
“Yellowstone” has clearly been good for the ranch’s tourism enterprise, and its web site contains loads of details about the way it’s used on the present, together with a breakdown of all the particular places on the ranch that ought to look acquainted to hardcore “Yellowstone” followers: “The lodge nice room, kitchen, again porch, entrance porch, helipad, and yard” are all common filming places, in addition to a number of different spots on the expansive property.
Per the Chief Joseph Ranch web site:
“We welcome the massive variety of Yellowstone followers who cease at our gates to take pictures of the Dutton Ranch signal. Please be courteous and never block the driveway. Throughout filming there can be safety on the gates. The Safety firm is not going to enable pictures at the moment as a result of have to maintain the drive open for forged and crew. “
It is perhaps laborious to imagine, however all these places exist in actual life on the identical ranch – an uncommon scenario the place movie and tv manufacturing are involved.
Chief Joseph Ranch is now a preferred vacation spot among the many many followers of “Yellowstone.” And fascinatingly, these followers can embody the real-life Dutton Ranch’s proprietor amongst their quantity. In response to a radio interview with Shane Libel on XL Nation 100.7 in Montana, the ranch’s proprietor described his personal distinctive expertise as he watches “Yellowstone” at residence:
“Probably the most surreal factor on the earth, and probably the most humbling factor on the earth is once you’re sitting in your personal lounge watching a present that is filmed in your home.”
If you happen to’re a “Yellowstone” fan as properly, it is in all probability laborious to not really feel envious!
For now, you’ll be able to take a look at Chief Joseph Ranch from above because of the cool video under, courtesy of GravityKnightFlying on YouTube:
