H.L. Hunt’s Dallas Mansion!

H.L. Hunt’s Dallas Mansion!

H.L. Hunt's Dallas Mansion!

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The Texas mansion that was named after George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and the long-time residence of the family that invented the Super Bowl, cornered the world's silver market, inspired the huge 1970's hit TV show Dallas and owned the world's largest oil field is for sale.

As memorable as J. R. Ewing’s character was in Dallas, H. L. Hunt, at one time the wealthiest man in the world, was even more colorful in real life. Calling himself H. L., presumably to cover up his given name of Haroldson Lafayette, he was a gambler who had inordinate good skill and luck at a poker table. Instead of flitting around the world to all the casinos and making a career of it, he invested his winnings in oil, taking his gambling talent to a different level. In a 1930 deal over cheese and crackers, H.L. made one of the biggest acquisitions in oil history: the legendary East Texas Oil Field from Columbus "Dad" Joiner for $1.335 million. At the time, it was the largest known field in the world producing over 5 billion barrels of oil. With that added to his other acquisitions, Hunt became one of the wealthiest men in the world.

Much like J. R. Ewing but with more drama, Hunt was a bit of a wildcat in his personal life. He left his parent's Illinois farm at age 16 with $50 and worked a number of temporary jobs including dishwasher, logger and farmer as he made his way to Arkansas and eventually Texas with a side trip to Florida as a real estate speculator. By his mid thirties, H.L. was well on his way to his oil fortune, three marriages - the first two of which were bigamous - and 15 children. Hunt passed away at age 85 in 1974, and many of those children have since also died due to advanced age. Even before he died, the children were fighting over the distribution of the inheritance, but his will stated that any beneficiary in his will who challenged its provisions would be cut off without a dime, and all got quiet on the western front.

Having grown up with a father who was no stranger to nefarious schemes, at the end of the 1970s, it was two of Hunt’s sons, William and Bunker, who tried to corner the world’s silver market and were very successful until they were caught. Another son, more talented in legitimate business, Lamar, was the creator of the American Football League and the Super Bowl.

The huge Hunt family home, a much enlarged version of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and always a Texas landmark, is for sale in Dallas. Sited on a lush 10-acre parcel of land on White Rock Lake, the main residence, updated in 2002, consists of 10,511 square feet on three levels with formal rooms, five large bedrooms, nine baths, library, study, elevator, gym and climate-controlled 10,000-bottle wine storage. It also houses a professional-style bowling center that was one of Neiman Marcus’ famed outrageously expensive Christmas gifts. Floors are hardwood and the large windows create cheerful, light filled rooms. The 1,200-square-foot pool house also contains a game center and the 2,400 square foot carriage house guest quarters provide four bedrooms, five baths, a media room and wine room. The manicured grounds include a pool (the first private pool in Dallas), lighted tennis courts, putting greens and a 4,800-square-foot showroom garage that can hold 16 cars. For more information.

The Dallas version of President George Washington’s home was the mansion of Texas oilman, H. L. Hunt, now considered to be an historical landmark estate. Priced at $19 million.

Source: www.christiesrealestate.com