The television series “Little House on the Prairie” celebrates its half century
Fifty years ago, Melissa Gilbert’s smooth voice was first heard on television screens across the country as she narrated the opening lines of the popular western series Little House on the Prairie.
“If I had a memory book, I would write about when we left our little house in the big woods and went west to Indian Territory,” Gilbert says in the pilot episode of the nine-season series. Gilbert is best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder, the series’ narrator and author of the autobiographical book series on which the television series is based.
The pilot episode of Little House on the Prairie aired on March 30, 1974, and this year some of the cast are traveling across the country as part of a 50th anniversary tour. Dean Butler, who played Almanzo James Wilder (Laura’s lover), will visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum in Mansfield on September 27 and 28 for the annual Wilder Day celebration. Butler will be available for photo opportunities and autographs. He will also promote his new memoir, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond.
In addition to Butler and Gilbert, according to a report by USA Today, Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls), Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (Carrie), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson), Wendi Lou Lee and Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls), Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder) and Jennifer and Michelle Steffin (Rose Wilder) are also part of the anniversary tour.
Nicholas Inman, executive director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, described the series’ cast as “ambassadors” for both the original “Little House” books and for Wilder himself.
The Little House on the Prairie universe is considered the longest-running, scripted primetime television series of its time, and consists of a one-and-a-half hour pilot, 204 episodes, and three made-for-television movies, according to the Little House on the Prairie website. The last movie, Little House on the Prairie: Bless All the Little Children, aired in 1984. Over the years, the series has won 17 Emmys, three Golden Globes, and two Western Heritage Awards.
A later start in Mansfield
Although much of the plot and even some of the characters in the television series are fictionalized, Little House on the Prairie is based on the original nine books Wilder published about growing up in the West.
It was later in her life that Wilder began writing the books for which she is so well known. The first Little House book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932. Wilder was 65 years old. The last book in the series, The First Four Years, was published in 1971, after Wilder died in 1957 at the age of 90.
Wilder wrote each of the nine books in her Mansfield home, which is now part of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum. Although fans today may be more familiar with the white, two-story farmhouse that overlooks the museum’s parking lot, Wilder wrote her books in the Rock House, also located on the museum grounds. Wilder’s eldest daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, who is also a successful writer, had the house built for her parents.
How did the television series come about?
The television series “Little House on the Prairie” was first broadcast just three years after the publication of the last book in the series.
According to Britannica, the television series was developed by screenwriter Blanche Hanalis and NBC executive producer Ed Friendly, as Friendly had acquired the rights to seven of the “Little House” books. Michael Landon, who played Wilder’s father Charles Ingalls, was the first actor to sign on to the project. Over the years, he also served as a producer, writer and executive producer on the series.
According to Britannica, Friendly wanted to stay true to Wilder’s books, but Landon was in favor of “sacrificing historical accuracy to make the plot more exciting for viewers.” The disagreement between Friendly and Landon on this issue eventually led to Friendly leaving the show altogether.
Major fictionalized characters included Sister Mary Ingalls’ marriage to her tutor, the death of Mary’s baby in a fire, and the adoption of three more children by the Ingalls family. The Carter family, who move into the Ingalls’ house, and Jenny, Almanzo’s niece, are also two fictionalized characters.
More: Mysterious Rogersville photo album from the 1940s offers rare insight into the city’s history
Inman said he often meets “purist” fans of both the book series and the television series at the museum. On several occasions, he has met fans who wanted to learn more about the characters invented for the television series. Even after explaining that these popular characters did not exist in real life, some fans still wanted to believe that they were based on true events.
How television enhanced the series’ story
Inman remembers reading his first Little House book in third grade. It was the second book in the Farmer Boy series based on Almanzo’s childhood.
Inman said that as a child he enjoyed looking at the illustrations in the book created by Garth Williams and that watching the television series further strengthened his connection to the characters.
“I think it was so exciting for people to step up from the illustrations and see them embodied in a real-life character,” Inman said. “I think it really allowed them to explore the characters on a different level and in a different way and bring them to life outside of the page.”
Where can you watch Little House on the Prairie?
“Little House” is available to stream with a subscription on Peacock, Philo, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Fandango.
Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum is located on Highway A 3060 in Mansfield, about an hour’s drive east of Springfield. The property is open from March 1 to November 15, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission to the museum and houses is $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-17, and free for children under 5. The museum offers both guided and self-guided tours. Pets are not allowed on the premises.
Greta Cross is the Springfield News-Leader’s trending reporter. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from the history of the Ozarks to the LGBTQIA+ community in Springfield. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
TV review: We were the lucky ones: Good series, a pity about the lighting
China toughens death penalty for ‘diehard’ supporters of Taiwan independence
Yankees take on water as difficulties mount in Subway Series
About The Author
