Desilu owners Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz purchased the property in 1957, to use it extensively for television productions. During these years, "40 Acres" was most famous for being the site of the Mayberry sets on The Andy Griffith Show. It also housed the POW camp for Hogan's Heroes and the barracks for Gomer Pyle, USMC. The backlot was dismantled in the 1970's.