The man in black’s former home is up for sale — famous commode included.
A ranch-style estate where Johnny Cash spent six years has been freshly listed — and it boasts an abundance of original details.
This Ventura, California, property was built for the country king in 1961 as a rural escape for him and his first wife, Vivian Liberto. The secluded, 4,500-square-foot house is located up a private driveway, tucked away in the hills and reportedly built to exact specifications mapped out by Cash himself.
The double-gabled, small-town sanctuary is set on six acres and has been left significantly untouched since Cash, Vivian and their three daughters lived there: Glitter-painted ceilings, a wall-mounted turntable and intercom system, curved brick family-room fireplace, custom kitchen and living room built-ins all number among features unchanged since the Cash’s time in the country home.
Cash’s presence still looms large in the space. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The house measures 4,500 square feet. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
An aerial shot of the ranch-style property.Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The home is set on six private acres. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The grounds feature a swimming pool and livestock corrals. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The surrounding area is dense with foothills. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The view from the property.Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
Johnny Cash, seen here with his second wife, June Carter Cash.Michael Ochs Archives
The late singer and his then-wife Vivian spent six years at the Ventura County property.Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The home has five bedrooms and an office. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
In total, the estate features 4½ bathrooms. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
An original wall-mounted turntable. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
There are two primary suites thanks to Johnny and Vivian’s different sleeping schedules. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
Cash reportedly mapped out the home’s specifications himself. Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The house features many original details.Mark Corcoran for Douglas Elliman
The rural estate was built in 1961.Mark Corcoran for Douglas EllimanThe high-windowed, “wood-paneled studio where Johnny sequestered himself to write many of his hit songs is timelessly preserved,” as is his “famous black commode,” according to the listing, which is held by Douglas Elliman agents Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders and currently listed for $1.795 million.
In all there are 4½ baths, one office and five bedrooms, including two distinct bedroom suites, a result of Johnny and Vivian’s differing sleeping habits — and styles. While his still has a dark-tiled shower, the dark-colored toilet and original period wallpaper, hers offers more of a “pastel feminine sensibility.”
The grounds offer views of the village of Casitas Springs below, the Ojai Valley beyond, a swimming pool and livestock-ready fields and corrals. The hillside barbecue area periodically produces spent shells from Cash’s time teaching his daughters to shoot there, and “longtime locals recount stories of Johnny setting up speakers on the hillside outside the house, and playing concerts for the townspeople down below.”
While the listing makes no mention of ghosts, Cash — who passed away in 2003 at age 71, and welcomed a baby in the house while attempting to salvage his marriage to Vivian — can be felt in the space. The agents note that in the house, his spirit looms large.
