Actor Lorne Greene, on Mar. 4, 1963, told Arizona reporters that “When I first walked onto the Ponderosa set four years ago, I swore to myself someday I’d have a house like that. It’s taken four years — but we’ve got the house.”

Greene and his wife Nancy held a first housewarming  for their new home, Ponderosa II, the previous weekend. The big house was almost an exact duplicate of the ranch house Greene (as Ben Cartwright) and his three sons inhabited each Sunday night on the “Bonanza” television program.

The great log building stands on the sunbaked Arizona plains midway between Mesa and Apache Junction in what was a new housing development in which Greene had an interest with five partners.

The second housewarming event was actually the grand opening of Ponderosa II on March 23, 1963, and was a big deal for  this small town.

The Mesa Tribune reported a few days later that nearly 3,700 people toured the home the first weekend it was open. Greene, along with his wife, Nancy, and members of the “Bonanza” cast, came to Mesa for a housewarming party that spring.

The guests were mostly old friends — Dan Blocker (Hoss) and Michael Landon (Little Joe), who play Cartwright sons; David Dortort, creator-producer of “Bonanza”; actress Susan Oliver; actors John Conte, Peter Graves, and Leslie Nielsen; singer Mel Torme; and one of Greene’s oldest friends, actor Lou Jacobi. They ate barbecued beef from a chuckwagon and square-danced to western music.

In 1963, Greene’s weekend getaway from Los Angeles was considered cutting edge. The Master bedroom had a large walk-in sunken tub/shower, and double sinks with a makeup table.

Visitors were asked to contribute $1 per adult and 50 cents per child, the money benefited a new Mesa Lutheran Hospital.

Guests admired the massive log house with its towering stone fireplace, wrought-iron doors, and the antique furniture that Nancy painstakingly searched for and found. It included the grand staircase of the set rising to a second floor which wasn’t there on the TV show. 

Both bedrooms have sliding glass doors leading out to a patio, and the large family room has a fireplace and window wall, as well as exits to two patios.

Apache Country Club estates grew into a showcase of classic mid-century architecture. The home, which sits on a half-acre adjoining a golf course, was on the market in 2018  for $649,900.

From 1963–72, Greene helped kick off the holiday season on NBC as co-host of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He sat alongside American treasure Betty White.

“Bonanza” ran on NBC from 1959 to 1973, captivating the baby boomers, and remains in syndication today. At one time, TV Guide ranked it 43rd on its list of the 50 Greatest TV shows of all time. 

☆☆☆☆☆

IN GOD WE TRUST

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