Las Vegas’s Connection to a Massive Yellowstone River Mansion

Every time we drive between Bozeman and Billings, I've always wondered about the gigantic mansion that sits on the bank of the Yellowstone River outside of Big Timber. There are several large homes on the river, but this one stands out.

I'm sure you've noticed it too... It's impossible to miss. Locals reportedly refer to the private residence as "little Cabela's", as it somewhat resembles the outdoor retailer's big-log facade. And it's huge, like a Cabela's store (now Bass Pro Shop).

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The house is located a few miles west of Big Timber, near Antelope Creek Exit #362. With the spectacular Crazy Mountains to the West/North, and the Yellowstone River in the front yard, it's clearly a desirable piece of Big Sky Country.

The Crazy Mountains have been attracting humans for thousands of years.

Normally, I wouldn't bother spending too much time caring about a rich person's Montana playground, but the stunning riverbank home - and its very interesting owner - came up in a non-fiction book I happen to be reading right now, The Crazies: The Cattleman, The Wind Prospector, and a War Out West by Amy Gamerman.

The book was released in January of 2025 and provides a fascinating look at the history of the Crazy Mountains, while the author covered the modern-times, real-life conflict between locals, wind energy developers, and ranchers that currently own property in Sweetgrass County.

So who in the heck built this monstrosity?

"Little Cabela's" is owned by a Las Vegas attorney named David Chesnoff. You've probably never heard of him, but this guy's client roster is an impressive mix of well-known celebrities, Las Vegas gangsters, musicians, athletes, and more.

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Chesnoff moved to Vegas from the East Coast as a young attorney, eventually becoming a law partner with Oscar Goodman, who went on to become the three-time mayor of Las Vegas.

Chesnoff first visited Montana in 1991, representing a client who was friends with the infamous Binion family after he was arrested in Helena. David spent several months in Montana during the trial (winning the case), and it was during this time that he fell in love with the Crazy Mountains.

The attorney and his wife, Diana, love Montana.

During Park County courtroom testimony in 2019 (regarding a local rancher's efforts to install wind turbines), Chesnoff told the court, "I think it's [Montana] is the most beautiful place in the United States." We don't disagree.