A Visit To Southfork Ranch

Above, yours truly in front of the Southfork ranch house. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Today was spent visiting Southfork Ranch, the setting of the Ewing Oil family from television's Dallas series on CBS. It is about 30 miles north of the city of Dallas.

We arrived there right when it opened and were the first to be given a tour of the inside of the house and a self-guided tour of the grounds, including Jock Ewing's (Jim Davis) Lincoln town car.

The inside of the house wasn't used in the series, except for a few rooms during the revival series (including the room where J. R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) was killed (as part of his "masterpiece").

There is also a "museum" of Dallas artifacts to walk through before the tour.

Our tour guide told us a little tidbit of trivia. She said John Wayne was approached to play the role of Jock Ewing, but he turned it down due to his cancer and suggested instead Jim Davis. She said Davis was "down on his luck" at the time and Wayne helped him out by suggesting him for the role.

Also, Larry Hagman's ashes are said to have been scattered on the ranch.

The house is much smaller than what is depicted on the show. Tricks were used during filming to make the house look much larger.

Still, it was an interesting place to visit and I recommend it to fans of Dallas.

Of course, I took some photographs:

Above, the actual dining set used in the show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a replica portrait of Jim Davis as Jock Ewing on the mantel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, eagle sculpture once owned by Larry Hagman. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Southfork pool from the rear balcony. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Mitch and I on the rear balcony that overlooks the pool. 

Above, Mitch Geriminsky in front of the main house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly in front of the main house. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, a view of the pool and the area behind the house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Jock Ewing's (Jim Davis) Lincoln. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a familiar view of the Southfork ranch house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.