History of Betty's Cabin, Pony, Montana
Painting by Dennis DeFrance
Painting by Dennis DeFrance
James DeFrance, the great grandfather of the cabin's present owner, Daryl DeFrance, came to Montana about 1865, and sometime later bought the house shown above. It was sitting on the site where Betty's Cabin now sits. James lived in that house until his son, Charlie, moved to Pony in 1920 with his wife, Bertha, and their children, Gladys, Don, and Wanda. Charlie and Bertha had been living on Grayling Creek near West Yellowstone , where he was a guide for Yellowstone Park. As the children became old enough they should be in school, the family moved to Pony so the children could attend school. The later children, Bob and Betty were born in this house in Pony.
Daryl's father Don grew up in the house, and Grandma DeFrance (Bertha) lived there until 1970, when she broke her hip and had to go to a nursing home. Bertha had to sign over almost everything she owned at that time to the county, so that she could stay in the nursing home in Bozeman.
The house stood vacant for about ten years, during which time Betty, Bertha & Charlie's youngest daughter, bought it from the county. Betty was married to Bill Cookson, and they were living near Portland at this time. Betty wanted to restore the house, but since it had no foundation, that proved to be impossible. Since Daryl was in the construction business, he and Betty planned the cabin, and Daryl build it for Betty in 1984.
It has been used as a vacation home by Betty and Bill, and by family and friends since then. In February 2000 Betty died of cancer, and ownership of the cabin went to Bill. During the summer of 2003 Bill sold the cabin to Daryl and Anne. Management of the cabin has evolved to their son and daughter-in-law, Dan & Amy DeFrance.
We want to
continue the tradition of making the cabin available for family and
friend who love Pony.
Renting the cabin
Making reservations
