An impressive ranch is going up for sale in Montana, and its owners are sharing its intriguing Cold War history with the public.
Soviet Hideout in Montana
For 70 years an enormous cattle ranch in western Montana housed the Vietor family. It also housed someone else – a Soviet pilot turned defector, who fled to the US in the 1970s.
$21.7 Million Price Tag
Now the estate is on sale for a whopping $21.7 million price tag, and its fascinating Cold War history has become one of its defining features.
Old Rocking Chair Ranch
Old Rocking Chair Ranch, as it is known, is a 7,200-acre range on the outskirts of Philipsburg, Montana, a historic mining town. The ranch has belonged to the Vietor family since 1952.
A Stranger Arrives
80-year-old Willy Vietor, the patriarch of the family, still recalls the time when a Russian man named Viktor Belenko arrived at the ranch in 1976. Vietor’s parents knew a CIA agent who had arranged for the man to stay with them.
Cover Story
At the time, Belenko was given a cover story and fake identity by the CIA. The family was told his name was Viktor Schmidt, a Russian trade representative who defected during a business trip to Russia.
Soviet Fighter Pilot
In reality, Belenko was a Soviet fighter pilot who defected from his country during a training exercise. He landed at the Hakodate Airport in Hokkaido, Japan, on Sept 6, 1976, and immediately sought asylum in the US.
Bringing Confidential Weaponry With Him
Belenko brought much more to the country than himself – he also brought his supersonic interceptor, the MiG-25 fighter jet.
Advanced Machinery
At the time the MiG-25 was highly sought after, being one of the most advanced and dangerous pieces of Soviet weaponry that could fly “miles above the earth, several times faster than sound,” according to a New York Times report from the period.
An Automatic Coup
Through providing the MiG-25, Belenko’s defection was immediately seen as a coup by US and USSR authorities. He also shared insider information about morale and living conditions of the Soviet armed forces which were seen as beneficial for US intel.
Starting a New Life
Belenko was celebrated as a hero by the US and given the chance to choose the location where he would start his new American life.
Looking to the Midwest
“As a gift, the CIA asked him where he wanted to live, and he said somewhere in the western part of the country on a ranch,” Willy Vietor told reporters. “The CIA agent who knew my parents came up with us.”
Connecting the Dots
While the Vietors initially accepted Belenko’s identity, they eventually realized the truth of who they were harboring. “After he had been with us about a year, we connected the dots and realized he was one of the most valuable defectors the US had ever had,” Vietor said.
Hidden Away on the Ranch
Beleko remained at the ranch, hidden from the spying eyes of the Russian government, until 1983. After leaving, he stayed in touch with the family who had helped to keep him safe for so many years.
Up for Grabs
Today this unique slice of modern history is up for grabs – as long as you’ve got 10s of millions of dollars burning a hole in your pocket.
End of an Era
Vietor and his wife Carolynn have chosen to sell the sprawling property, due to a “generational wall.” According to him, “there are no kids to take it over.”
Most of It Sold
The couple will retain a 2,000-acre piece of the property to live on, but the rest will be included in the listing. It includes several buildings.
Buildings Everywhere
The winning bidder will own a 3,800-plus-square-foot 5-bedroom home built in 1932, a shop, a granary, and several barns used to operate the ranch.
Nature Lovers Paradise
Old Rocking Chair Ranch is a winning property for farmers and nature lovers alike. It raises black angus cattle and plenty of wildlife call the property home, including elk and whitetail deer, as well as excellent fishing in nearby rivers.
It’s Got It All
“Usually, a buyer must choose between river, mountains and any number of other variables,” said Bill McDavid of Hall and Hall, a leading ranch and farm brokerage. “Rocking Chair Ranch covers it all … river to the mountains and everything in between.”
A Remote Property
While Belenko is the only defector known to take refuge at the massive property, co-listers of the property maintain that it is so large, diverse, and remote that it could very well serve the same purpose today.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sue Smith.
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