“Goodbye Little Darlin’”: Johnny Cash fan snaps up singer’s former home
After just two months on the market, the sprawling ranch Johnny Cash built in the hills of California has been snagged by a generous local fan.
With an asking price of $US 1.795 million ($NZ 3.16 million), the home’s new owner paid an extra $55,000 ($NZ 96,000) for the keys to the six-acre ranch.
The Ring of Fire singer reportedly built the ‘60s style compound in Ventura, California, in 1961 as an escape from Los Angeles and a place where he and his wife, Vivian, could raise their two daughters.
Unlike other celebrity neighbours, it seems that Cash was on friendly terms with the locals, with residents from the nearby village of Casitas Springs recalling Cash setting up speakers on the hillside outside his home and playing concerts for the people living below, per realtor.com.
In 1966, the couple divorced, with Cash marrying June Carter two years later and relocating to Nashville.
Vivian later offloaded the five-bedroom home in the 1970s.
Even after all these years, the property still features details from when Cash called it home, including a wall-mounted timetable and painted ceilings “imbued with glitter”, according to the listing.
His wood-panelled studio has also been preserved. Built with high windows, the studio was designed so the six-foot singer could look out without others being able to see in.
The panelled walls, wagon wheel chandeliers and curved brick fireplace in the living room also add to the rustic feel of the home’s interior.
Outside, you’ll find cypresses and oak trees, a large pool and spa, and a hillside barbecue area where Cash taught his daughters to shoot - with spent shells still being found there sometimes.
With the property being zoned for livestock and plenty of fields ready for planting, it’ll be up to the new owner to decide on the fate of the iconic home.
Images: Realtor.com / Getty Images