Bucket List: Southfork Ranch

In 1970, rancher Joe Duncan purchased 200 acres (80.9 hectares) of land outside of the small town of Parker, Texas, and built a 5900 square foot (550 sq meter) Colonial style house with an in-ground pool.  The property was known as Duncan Acres, a spot of greenery in the middle of nowhere, until Lorimar Productions chose it as the backdrop for the soon-to-be hit series Dallas in 1978, whereupon it was immortalized as Southfork Ranch.

Duncan and his family were living in the house while much of the filming was in progress, which required the construction of mock-up sets in California for the production to use during poor weather or when the house was otherwise unavailable.  In 1985 a 63,000 square foot (5853 sq meter) conference center was erected on the property.

Today the ranch is owned by a resort company and hosts business events, international conferences, and public tours for the thousands of people that visit from across the globe.

Official site www.southforkranch.com