The Long Way
Broadwater County
A cabin nestled in a wooded area with a stone pillar in the foreground.
Plate I. Rillway Cabin, Helena National Forest. From recreation.gov
A log cabin in the woods viewed from the exterior.
Plate II. Exterior view of Rillway Cabin. From recreation.gov
An interior view of a rustic cabin showing wooden bunk beds and counters.
Plate III. Interior view of Rillway Cabin. From recreation.gov
Exterior of Rillway Cabin.
Plate IV. Exterior of Rillway Cabin. Photograph by Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Rillway Cabin

Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana. Cabin Nonelectric; Year-round (vehicle accessible).

Details

Map. Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana. Larger map
Where
415 S. FRONT STREET, Townsend, MT 59644. Directions
Getting there
The cabin is accessible year-round by vehicle. From the 4-way stop light in Townsend, turn east on Hwy 12. Follow the road for 14 miles and watch for the Rillway Cabin sign along the right side of the highway at the 14-mile marker.
Access
The cabin does not have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing during their stay.
Walk-in or reserve
Entry to the cabin is by combination lock, your reservation confirmation email will have the combination code.
Phone
406-266-3425
Managed by
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Established
The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922.

Rillway Cabin is located 14 miles east of Townsend, Montana along scenic Deep Creek in Helena National Forest. Its history can be traced to Dr. A.C. Kelly, a physician who arrived in Townsend in 1915 and served as mayor from 1920-1924.

Notable Events

  1. 1918The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922, then sold to Nellie Hale Averill and her son-in-law, Floyd L. Hollaway. recreation.gov
  2. 1918Dr. Kelly obtained a term permit from the Forest Service for the cabin site in 1918. recreation.gov
  3. 1920Family sources indicate that Mrs. Averill had purchased the cabin from its builder a year or two after construction, which would make the construction date 1920-21. southwestmt.com
  4. 1924By 1924 the cabin was known as Rillway, a combination of the Averill and Hollaway family names. recreation.gov

People

  • Floyd L. Hollaway, Son-in-law of Nellie Hale Averill and co-owner of the cabin.
  • Nellie Hale Averill, Owner of the cabin, bought from Dr. Kelly with her son-in-law Floyd L. Hollaway.
  • Dr. A.C. Kelly, Physician who obtained the Forest Service term permit for the cabin site and built the cabin; mayor of Townsend (1915 - 1939).

Sources

  1. recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234565
  2. southwestmt.com/listings/rillway-cabin