Where was Little House on the Prairie filmed?
1974
City Locations
Los Angeles, Tucson, Simi Valley, Sonora
Location Types
Ranch, Film Studio
Location Styles
Old Hollywood, Ranch Style
About Little House on the Prairie
Based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie is a television serial that aired from 1974 to 1983. The story follows the Ingalls family as they move from their home in Wisconsin to a farm in Kansas. Along the way, they face many challenges, including severe weather, illness, and financial troubles. Despite these difficulties, they maintain close-knit family bonds and faith in God.
The serial was highly popular during its run, and it is now also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Little House on the Prairie earned its stripes as a beloved series for several reasons. First, it depicted a simpler time when one's life revolved around church, school, and family. Of course, they had their hardships, but everyone was always smiling and kind, and there was never a problem that they couldn't all solve together.
Second, it taught good family values. In these somewhat cynical times, it's with nostalgia that we watch shows where every episode ends with a level-headed, wise talking from Pa to Half-Pint. Finally, the show didn't shy away from "serious topics" either.
Blindness, anthrax, dead babies, and morphine addiction were only some of the terrible tragedies that befell the show's characters. As a result, Little House on the Prairie was a popular show that resonated with viewers for its depiction of a simpler time and handling complex subject matters.
Little House on the Prairie Locations
The production of Little House on The Prairie took place across several regions in America. Paramount Studios hosted the team for the interior scenes, while Big Sky Ranch offered a backdrop for the exteriors.
Sonora, California, and Old Tuscon Studios also provided settings for some scenes during production. The shots of Minnesota towns seen in the show feature noticeable mountainous terrain, but the landscape described in the show does not include tall mountains.
Paramount Studios in Los Angeles was selected as the location for interior shots, while exteriors came to life near Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley. The open space allowed the team to construct the town of Walnut Grove. In addition, the ranch offered different settings to film various scenes.
There is much more to explore about the filming locations of Little House on the Prairie, and some settings might inspire the avid wanderlust to explore these vast regions.
The Ingalls Farm exterior scenes in Little House on the Prairie
Simi Valley, California
Little House on the Prairie, set in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, did not come to life against the southern Minnesota location, as many believe. Simi Valley, California, provided the backdrop for most scenes. Big Sky Movie Ranch on Bennett Road hosted the production team for The Ingalls' farm scenes.
Over the years, this spot has become a popular filming location, and even the science fiction TV series "Westworld" used it for some of its scenes. Sadly, fans can no longer visit the original set because a staged explosion destroyed it during the last episode.
Some of the other locations used for filming include Red Hills Ranch in Sonora, California, Lake Sherwood, California, and Old Tucson Studios in Tucson, Arizona.
The Ingalls Farm interior scenes in Little House on the Prairie
Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley
Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley, California, provided the setting for the Ingalls' farm interior scenes. The ranch provided the perfect setting for the family farm, with its open space and different settings. The ranch also served as a backdrop for the exteriors of other television shows and movies, such as The Dukes of Hazzard and Bonanza.
Before filming, Big Sky Ranch was the name of a working ranch in the beautiful Simi Valley of Southern California. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Carsten, who were kind enough to allow the television crew to film on their property, originally owned the ranch. In addition to serving as a filming location, Big Sky Ranch was also open to the public as a tourist destination.
Visitors could take guided tours of the ranch, visit the stables, and even ride horses through the picturesque valley. The Carstens' daughter, Linda, even played the role of "Missy" on the show. Unfortunately, the ranch exchanged ownership in 1980 and is no longer open to the public.
Outdoor scenes in Little House on the Prairie
Red Hills Ranch, Sonora, California
The Red Hills Ranch in Sonora, California, provided a filming location for many outdoor scenes. The rolling hills and picturesque views provided the perfect backdrop for several scenes, including the famous opening credits sequence.
In addition, the ranch's extensive grounds allowed for the construction of several iconic sets, including the Ingalls family home and the town's church. Today, the ranch is open to visitors, who can explore the filming locations and learn more about the history of the Little House on the Prairie TV show.
Outdoor Scenes in Little House on the Prairie
Lake Sherwood, California
Lake Sherwood is an artificial lake in the Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California. It was created in the early 20th century by damming a small stream. The lake is surrounded by tall trees and rolling hills, making it a scenic spot for camping, fishing, and hiking.
Lake Sherwood became a popular filming location in the ‘70s. The lake stood in for several different locations, including the town of Walnut Grove in the television series Little House on the Prairie.
In addition to providing a beautiful backdrop for the show, Lake Sherwood was also convenient for the production team since it was a few miles from the studio where the show came to life. As a result, viewers saw the Southern Californian natural beauty every time they turned to Little House on the Prairie.
Laura doing chores in Little House on the Prairie
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, Burbank, California
Stage 9 at the rear of the backlot provided the setting for the interior sets. The barn, where Laura did many of her chores, including milking cows and caring for her pony, Bandit, was across the street from the soundstages on a lot that once housed the Red Wagon Playhouse.
In addition to being used for exterior shots of Laura doing chores, this barn served as a filming location for numerous other productions over the years, including To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Lassie (1954), and Star Trek: The Original Series (1966). The barn no longer exists, and a parking garage sits on the lot.
Railway Station scenes in Little House on the Prairie
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown
Jamestown, Tuolumne County, is home to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, a living history museum that recreates the golden age of railroads. The park provided a filming location for several episodes of the popular television series Little House on the Prairie.
In the show, the town of Walnut Grove appeared in the background, and many of the characters were seen boarding and departing from the local train station. Today, visitors to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park can ride on a vintage steam train, visit the locomotive shops where repairs and restoration work took place, and explore the park's museum and grounds.
The park is a popular spot for tourists and history buffs, and it is easy to see why it served as a filming location for Little House on the Prairie.
Conclusion
The show did an excellent job depicting life during that period, from the everyday struggles of frontier living to issues such as racism and prejudice.
The cast was also very talented, with Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon standing out as two of the best actors on the show. Overall, Little House on the Prairie is a timeless classic that is both entertaining and educational. It is a show that should be on everyone's watch list.
Thanks to syndication and DVDs, it continues to provide quality family entertainment. It also might inspire your itinerary to go on a Little House on the Prairie’s filming locations tour.