Lorne Greene’s Ponderosa Replica Up for Sale in Mesa, Arizona

If you’re of a certain age, or your parents or grandparents are of a certain age and were TV western aficionados, you can probably readily identify the theme song to “Bonanza” — as well as its iconic Ponderosa ranch, home to the Cartwright family.

But what many don’t know is that Lorne Greene, who played patriarch Ben Cartwright, loved the layout and design of the ranch-style (duh) home his alter ego lived in so much that he had a replica built for his own home, located in the Apache Country Club in Mesa, Arizona.

He and his wife, Nancy, lived in the home for several years, enjoying almost 325 feet of golf course frontage.

Greene, who starred in Bonanza throughout its run from 1959 to 1973, named his home the Ponderosa II. Built in 1963, the two-bed, three-bath house is now listed at $649,900.

The Ponderosa II is not just a home, it is a National and State recognized Historic Home with benefits,” said listing agent Katrina Diest-Zemar of Arizona Realty One Group. “This home sits in the back of a beautiful cul-de-sac in Apache Country Club on an approximately half-acre lot between the 1st and the 9th fairway of the Arizona Golf Resort with a vegetation fence line.”

Diest-Zemar said the current owners spent seven years restoring the home back to its Cartwright glory, too.

“Step back in time as you enter the massive door into the Cartwright’s living room,” she said. “This room is unmistakably a replica of the famous ranch house set — starting with the huge rock fireplace, the rustic dining area with wood shutters, Ben Cartwright’s office alcove and the staircase to nowhere (actually the attic).”

When Greene commissioned the home in 1963, the home was cutting edge. The Master bedroom has a large walk-in sunken tub/shower, and double sinks with a makeup table.

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.

“The kitchen has breakfast room, walk-in pantry, double ovens, and tile countertops,” Diest-Zemar added. “This is truly a home you would be proud to own.”

“Future historian owner, it is with great pride we turn over this unique, nationally recognized Historic Home to be put under your watch,” the National Trust for Historic Preservation wrote about the home. “Welcome to this wonderful community of mid-century homes established in the 1960’s with the Ponderosa II being the most celebrated of all.”