50 years later, 'Little House on the Prairie' television series remains beloved by fans

Fifty years ago, Melissa Gilbert's soft voice graced television screens throughout the country for the first time as she narrated the opening lines of the beloved western series, "Little House on the Prairie."

"If I had a remembrance book, I would mark down how it was when we left our little house in the big woods to go west to Indian territory," Gilbert says in the pilot episode of the nine-season series. Gilbert is popularly known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder, the narrator of the series and author of the autobiographical book series on which the television show is based.

The pilot episode of "Little House on the Prairie" first aired on March 30, 1974, and this year, several cast members are traveling throughout the country for a 50th anniversary tour. Dean Butler, who played Almanzo James Wilder (Laura's love interest) is visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum in Mansfield for the annual Wilder Day celebration Sept. 27-28. Butler will be available for photo-ops and autographs. He'll also be promoting his new memoir, "Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond."

In addition to Butler, Gilbert, 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 part of the anniversary tour, according to USA Today reporting.

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 Wilder herself.

Considered the longest running scripted primetime television drama of its time, the "Little House" universe is comprised of an hour-and-a-half pilot, 204 episodes and three made-for-television movies, according to the Little House on the Prairie website. The final movie, "Little House: Bless All the Dear Children," aired in 1984. Over the years, the series 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, are fictionalized in the television series, the foundation of "Little House" is derived from the original nine books Wilder published about growing up in the West.

It wasn't until later in her life that Wilder began to write the books she is so well known for. The first "Little House" book, titled "Little House in the Big Woods," was published in 1932. Wilder was 65. The final book in the series, "The First Four Years," was published in 1971, after Wilder's death in 1957 at age 90.

Wilder wrote each of the nine books at her home in Mansfield, which is today a part of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum. Although fans may be more familiar with the white, two-story farmhouse that overlooks the museum's parking lot today, Wilder wrote her books in the Rock House, which also sits on the museum property. Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, also an accomplished writer, had the home built for her parents.

How did the television series get started?

The "Little House" television series first aired only three years after the final book of the series was published.

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 onto the project. He also served as a producer, writer and executive producer of the series over the years.

Friendly preferred to stay true to Wilder's books, according to Britannica, but Landon approved of "sacrificing historical accuracy in an effort to make the storylines more engaging for viewers." In the end, Friendly and Landon's disagreement on this matter led to Friendly leaving the show altogether.

Several key fictionalizations included sister Mary Ingalls' marriage to her schoolteacher, the death of Mary's baby in a fire and the Ingalls family's adoption of three more children. The Carter family, who move into the Ingalls' home, and Jenny, Almanzo's niece, are also fictional characters.

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Inman said he often meets "purist" fans of both the book series and television series at the museum. On multiple occasions he has met fans who are interested in learning more about characters who were fictionalized for the television series. Even after explaining that these beloved characters did not exist in real life, some fans still chose to believe they were based on true people.

How television elevated the series' story

Inman still recalls reading his first "Little House" book in the third grade. It was the second book the series, "Farmer Boy," based on Almanzo's childhood.

Inman said that as a kid, he enjoyed taking in the book's illustrations, created by Garth Williams, and watching the television series elevated his connection to the characters.

"To go a step further from the illustrations to see them materialized into a real-life character, I think that's one reason why it was so exciting for people," Inman said. "I think it really allowed them to explore the characters in a different level, in a different way and to bring them to life off the page."

Where can you watch 'Little House'?

"Little House" can be streamed 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 at 3060 Highway A in Mansfield, which is about an hour's drive east of Springfield. The property is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday from March 1 through Nov. 15.

Admission to the museum and homes is $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-17 and free for children under 5. The museum provides both guided and self-guided tours. Pets are not allowed on the property.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Little House on the Prairie' TV series marks 50th anniversary