Southfork Ranch facts for kids
Southfork Ranch is a famous place in Parker, Texas. It is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Dallas. This ranch is well-known as a conference and event center. It also features the Ewing Mansion, which was the main setting for the popular television series Dallas.
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History of Southfork Ranch
The main house at Southfork Ranch was built in 1970 by Joe Duncan. It was first called Duncan Acres after his family. The ranch property was originally 200 acres (about 81 hectares). The large house, often called a mansion, is about 5,900 square feet (548 square meters). It also has a 957 square foot (89 square meter) garage. This garage was later changed into a den or card room.
Southfork and the Dallas TV Show
Southfork Ranch became very famous because of the TV show Dallas. Outside scenes for the show were filmed at the ranch from 1979 to 1989. The show's creators, Lorimar Productions, also built a fake version of the ranch. This studio set, including a swimming pool, was in California. They used it when the weather in Texas made filming difficult.
After 1989, all filming for the series moved to the California studio. However, the ranch was used again for special reunion movies. These included J.R. Returns (1996) and War of the Ewings (1998). A non-fiction special called The Return to Southfork (2004) also filmed there.
In 1998, War of the Ewings was the only time scenes were filmed inside the real ranch house for the show. Southfork was also used for the new Dallas series that started in 2012. Some parts of the prequel, Dallas: The Early Years, were filmed at the ranch in November 1985.
Other Appearances and Events
In 1993 and 1994, the ranch was seen in the music video for "God Blessed Texas" by the band Little Texas.
Today, Southfork Ranch is a busy event and conference center. It is owned by Forever Resorts. The ranch used to host the Christian concert "Celebrate Freedom" by KLTY-FM radio. This event happened every year around Independence Day. On July 4, 2009, it also hosted a large "America's Tea Party" event. Organizers said between 25,000 and 35,000 people attended.
In December 2012, a special memorial service was held at Southfork Ranch. This was after the death of actor Larry Hagman. He played the character J.R. Ewing in the Dallas series. Fans could sign a memorial book in the "J.R. Ewing room" at the ranch.
Images for kids
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Southfork Ranch Main Gate
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Rear view of mansion
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Swimming pool at Southfork
See also
- Texas Music Revolution
