A Century of Tales

The Moose Bunkhouse was built in the early 1900’s and was located on the corner of Yellowstone Avenue and Faithful Street in what is now called West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone was known as Riverside, Boundary, or sometimes West End prior to its incorporation in 1966.

The earliest known owner, a local Railroad Tie and Timber Company owner, Mr. Stevenson lost the cabin due to bankruptcy. A gentleman, Mr. Wallace Clifford Smith, acquired the residence in 1926. Mr. Smith, his wife, and ten children lived in the residence for several years.

Local town lore recalls a resident of West Yellowstone, a Mrs. Poole, owned the The Moose as early as 1960. It was known as the “Bunkhouse” then, and provided rooming house services. Rumor has it, the “Bunkhouse” was a “brothel like” establishment providing “entertainment” for the local workers. The “Bunkhouse” was acquired by Mr. Dennis Lundahl in the early 1970’s who left it vacant until he sold the structure to Fred and Anna Thompson in 1977, which proved to be a big year for The Moose. The Thompson’s had the cabin moved to its current location five miles west of West Yellowstone next to the south fork of the Madison River.

In 1983, Mr. Douglas Coppin purchased, but never resided in the cabin. Mr. Coppin, after passing, willed The Moose and property to his former wife, Ms. Gloria Coppin Handelman, in 1996, who also never resided in the residence. Ms. Gloria Coppin Handelman eventually sold the property to Donald and Kristi Perry in 2008.

Mike and Sherry Chartier purchased the decaying cabin in 2019. The Moose Bunkhouse was in desperate need of some serious tender loving care. Mike and Sherry have been working hard to bring new life to The Moose Bunkhouse. Today, The Moose Bunkhouse has been recovered and is ready to host adventurers, anglers, park goers, hikers, historians, and most importantly those wishing to appreciate the West Yellowstone history.