'The Beverly Hillbillies’ Mansion Is Still America’s Most Expensive House, despite a Huge Price Cut

The mansion used for American television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" remains the most expensive house in America despite a reduction in its original price.

Chartwell Estate or "The Beverly Hillbillies's Mansion" as it is popularly known as the mansion used for the television series, remains America's most expensive house with a price of $195million which is a reduced price in comparison to the original price of $245 million.

There are a lot of intriguing features that sums up the magnificent estate. Although details of the interior have been kept private, the exterior features are mind-blowing.

With the main building occupying a total area of 11 acres, the exterior features of the Chartwell Estate include; a 75-foot swimming pool, a manicured garden, a car park that has the capacity of 40 vehicles, a 5-bedroom guesthouse, a tennis court, and a 12,000 bottle wine cellar.

The house was designed in the style of a French chateau, in the year 1993 by Sumner Spaulding. It was a gift from Engineer Lynn Atkinson to his wife. The couple however never stayed in the mansion as Engineer Lynn's wife saw the gift as "pretentious".

It was later owned by art collector and real estate investor, Arnold Kirkeby and American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Jerry Perenchio.

The Chartwell estate became more famous as it was used for the CBS television show "The Beverly Hillbillies". The broadcast began in the year 1962 with the cast comprising of, Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts.

The show was about the Clampetts, a low-income family that moved to Beverly Hills as soon as they found oil in their land in the Ozarks region. The Clampetts soon gained public acceptance as viewers of the show got fascinated by the comic effect of the show.

Although viewers of the show loved it, critics had an opposing opinion. Critics termed the show as "strained and unfunny". The show, however, continued as fans could not get enough of it.

Although the mansion appears so glamorous and incredibly expensive, the producer of the show disclosed that he was allowed to film in the mansion for an amazingly low price of $500.

While the show appeared so "perfect," it, however, had some backstage issues. The show also had a cookbook; it was a fabulous idea because viewers were able to cook along with the show.

"The Beverly Hillbillies" show, however, ended on a high note in 1971 as a result of too many rural programs running on CBS at that period.