In 1961, Johnny Cash built a 4,500-square-foot home in rural Casitas Springs, California as his quiet place to escape from the rock ‘n roll lifestyle. A place he and his wife, Vivian, and their three daughters could enjoy family life in the hills for many years into the future. Johnny’s former home went on the market in June for $1.795 million, and has already sold to one of his fans for $1.85 million – $55,000 over the asking price.
According to the listing agents, “Johnny bought the land and built the house to his exact specifications; walking the rooms and deciding on exact placement and layout. He created a secluded sanctuary, unique to this rural small-town enclave. Longtime locals recount stories of Johnny setting up speakers on the hillside outside the house, and playing concerts for the townspeople down below.”
The double-gabled house is set on nearly six acres, dramatically set among Johnny’s beloved hills, fields, trees and flowers, at the end of a long, private driveway. John’s ideas are still very much a part of the home, including the country-motif family room and curved-brick fireplace, custom-wood built-ins, and an original wall-mounted turntable. The wood-paneled studio where Johnny wrote some of his biggest hits is preserved. And the two his-and-her master bedroom suites because of Johnny’s night-owl routine of writing music late into the night and early morning.
The property includes five bedrooms, a pool, office, barbecue area, and sweeping views of the Ojai Valley, oak trees and evergreens and year-round flowers.
While their future did not pan out exactly as Johnny planned – he and Vivian divorced in 1966 – the home was exactly what John envisioned.
Photos: Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman Realty
