As one of television’s most cherished classics, Little House on the Prairie continues to find its way into living rooms today through syndication. The series, initially developed by Blanche Hanalis, featured the charismatic Michael Landon, renowned for his role in Bonanza. Landon’s involvement extended far beyond acting, as he also directed, wrote, produced, and starred in a significant portion of the original show. Running from 1974 to 1982, the original Little House captivated audiences, immersing them in the struggles and triumphs of the Ingalls family as they carved out a life in the quaint town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.
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With a colorful ensemble of supporting characters (and perhaps a few less supportive ones, if you catch our drift), Little House enjoyed a successful run spanning eight regular seasons. In 1982, a ninth season titled Little House: A New Beginning was introduced as a spin-off. While much of the series unfolded in the fictional Walnut Grove, viewers have often pondered whether the show was actually filmed on location in Minnesota or if it was Hollywood’s clever illusion at play.
you are watching: Where Was ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Filmed?
What Is ‘Little House on the Prairie’?
It’s widely known that the beloved series Little House on the Prairie drew its inspiration from the book series authored by Laura Ingalls Wilder, who shared her family’s remarkable history through her writings. Laura’s literary journey began with her childhood memories, vividly recounted in ‘Little House in the Big Woods.’ She continued to weave her life’s narrative through eight more books, detailing her upbringing, her eventual meeting with Almanzo Wilder, and the beginnings of their own family. Naturally, when transitioning from page to screen, adaptations are bound to make certain deviations, and the television series was no exception.
The heart of the show revolves around the fictionalized versions of Charles Ingalls (portrayed by Michael Landon), his devoted wife Caroline (brought to life by Karen Grassle), and their daughters Mary (played by Melissa Sue Anderson), Carrie (jointly portrayed by Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush), and the spirited young Laura (captured brilliantly by Melissa Gilbert). As the Ingalls family embarked on their homesteading journey near Plum Creek, they encountered a wealth of life’s lessons along the way. If you appreciate heartwarming, wholesome entertainment, then Little House on the Prairie is undoubtedly the show for you. However, as the series evolved over its approximately decade-long run, it underwent changes—common for long-running shows—and this shift ultimately led to its cancellation in 1983.
Not content with the way the show concluded, Michael Landon and his team, including regular series member and Landon’s Highway to Heaven co-star Victor French, produced three additional made-for-TV adventures. These films, namely ‘Look Back to Yesterday,’ ‘The Last Farewell,’ and the heartwarming Christmas special ‘Bless All The Dear Children’ (which, despite its release order, unfolds before ‘The Last Farewell’), graced television screens within a year of each other, officially bringing Little House’s remarkable decade-long journey to a close in December 1984.
Where Is ‘Little House’ Set?
According to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s enchanting books, the Ingalls family embarked on a remarkable homesteading journey that took them to various locations. Their story began in Pepin County, Wisconsin, as narrated in ‘Little House in the Big Woods.’ From there, they ventured onward to the vast prairies near Independence, Kansas, vividly recounted in ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ As their adventures unfolded, the Ingalls family continued their northward odyssey to Plum Creek, where they established their new home just outside the charming town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota, an event beautifully captured in ‘On the Banks of Plum Creek.’ In the fifth installment, ‘By the Shores of Silver Lake,’ the Ingalls family once again set out on a new journey, this time to De Smet, South Dakota, which was then part of the Dakota Territory. Here, Charles, lovingly known as Pa, built them a house, marking yet another chapter in their incredible story. It’s truly fascinating to note that many of these locations can still be visited today, allowing fans to step into the world of the Ingalls family.
However, when it comes to the Little House television series, the narrative focuses primarily on just two key locations where the Ingalls family calls home. Following their move from Wisconsin to Kansas in the pilot movie, the family officially settles in Plum Creek in the very first episode, titled ‘A Harvest of Friends.’ Walnut Grove soon becomes more than just a place; it evolves into a warm and welcoming community for Charles, Caroline, and their girls. Despite occasional visits to other places, the primary residences showcased on the show are Plum Creek and, after Season 8, Burr Oak, Iowa. In the latter, Charles and Caroline reside off-screen during the events of ‘A New Beginning.’ It’s worth mentioning that they return to Walnut Grove for ‘The Last Farewell,’ an emotional episode that sees the town’s complete demolition after its valiant residents unite to protect their land from the clutches of the ruthless Nathan Lassiter. In a way, it’s a poignant reminder that even cherished places must sometimes yield to the winds of change, echoing the sentiment found in Yellowstone.
Where Was ‘Little House’ Filmed?
While the charming town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota, still graces the landscape of Redwood County, the Walnut Grove we came to adore in the show was, as you might expect, crafted by the enchanting hands of Hollywood in sunny Southern California. To be precise, it found its home nestled in the picturesque hills of Simi Valley, a serene region just northeast of the bustling heart of Hollywood itself. Almost all the exterior shots that brought Walnut Grove to life were filmed on The Big Sky Movie Ranch, a place that has also witnessed the creation of other beloved shows like Gunsmoke, Twin Peaks, and Jericho. While the physical sets may have faded into history, the breathtaking scenery of Simi Valley endures, maintaining its timeless beauty.
Speaking of the Ingalls’ family homestead, the idyllic spot near Plum Creek was also brought to life on the sprawling canvas of The Big Sky Movie Ranch. It’s worth noting that during that era, many television Westerns chose vast movie ranches as their backdrop, striving for authenticity and immersing both viewers and the hardworking cast and crew in the captivating world of the Old West. After all, strolling through the streets of Burbank on horseback wouldn’t quite evoke the same atmosphere. Therefore, despite its California roots, Little House dedicated itself to capturing the essence of the Midwest.
While the show’s exterior shots remain etched in our memories, the more intimate moments, particularly those shared around the Ingalls family dinner table, were crafted within the welcoming walls of Paramount Studios. This choice, while not surprising, makes a great deal of practical sense. Sets provide filmmakers with greater control, especially when orchestrating scenes set at night or working with child actors. It’s worth noting that the legacy of the Paramount lot lives on, standing as a testament to the enduring magic of television production.
What Happened to the Walnut Grove Set?
As we’ve mentioned, the story of Little House on the Prairie officially comes to a close with The Last Farewell, a made-for-TV production crafted to provide a fitting conclusion. In this poignant movie, the Ingalls family and their beloved neighbors face the heart-wrenching decision to demolish their homes using dynamite, all to thwart the ambitions of a covetous land developer. However, what happened behind the scenes is just as compelling as the drama onscreen. Michael Landon, the director and star of the series, made a bold choice—he opted to obliterate the entire set. When asked about it by The New York Times after The Last Farewell aired, Landon explained, “I think it makes for a good strong pioneer ending. It was also a nice catharsis for the cast and crew.” He went on to reveal the emotional attachment the actors had formed with their onscreen homes, making the act of destruction a deeply moving experience.
In her revealing memoir, Prairie Tale, actress Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Laura Ingalls, offered her own childhood perspective on this pivotal event. She recounted Landon’s frustration at not receiving an official call from NBC’s president, Brandon Tartikoff, or anyone else at the network to inform him of the show’s fate. Landon had been part of the NBC family since 1959, and he perceived this as a sign of disrespect. His reaction was to take a decisive stance—destroying all the sets, including the iconic Walnut Grove and the entire Simi Valley landscape. Whether there were additional motivations behind Landon’s creative decision remains a mystery. Sadly, Michael Landon’s life was cut short by pancreatic cancer in 1991.
Regrettably, the sets that weren’t razed by Landon and his team met a different fate several years later. In 2003, a devastating wildfire roared through Simi Valley, engulfing the Big Sky Movie Ranch in flames. Tragically, this included the Little House homestead, which was reduced to ashes. Although the original homestead had been deliberately destroyed for The Last Farewell, a faithful replica of the titular home had been constructed at the movie ranch—a destination that drew fans from around the globe. Reflecting on this loss, Leigh Nixon, the Chief Executive Officer of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, lamented, “It is a total, devastating loss. That is one of the things Simi was known for.” The indelible legacy of Little House on the Prairie lives on in the hearts of its devoted fans.
Where Can I Watch ‘Little House on the Prairie’?
Despite the passage of time and the loss of its original sets, Little House on the Prairie continues to endure through syndication and modern streaming platforms. Whether you prefer catching episodes on TV Land or the Hallmark Channel, or you’re inclined to own the complete series on home video, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the beloved show. For those who prefer streaming, all nine seasons (including Little House: A New Beginning) are readily available on Peacock’s Premium platform, and they can also be enjoyed for free on Amazon’s Freevee. Furthermore, for those who like to own their digital copies, you can purchase all nine seasons on various platforms like AppleTV, Amazon, Vudu, and the Microsoft Store.
In addition to the main series, fans can dive deeper into the Ingalls family’s story with the post-series made-for-TV specials: Little House: Look Back to Yesterday, Little House: The Last Farewell, and Little House: Bless All the Dear Children. These heartwarming specials are exclusively available on Peacock’s Premium platform. If you prefer physical copies, these specials can also be purchased individually or as part of the complete series box-set on DVD. Thankfully, whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, there are a multitude of ways to stay connected with the enduring legacy of the Ingalls family, even decades after the show first graced our screens.
Source: https://dominioncinemas.net
Category: TV FEATURES