AboutJo Skywriter Expertise All general Bonanza, Specific Episodes, Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright) knowledge, long time Bonanza fan even for my young age, don't let that fool you.
Experience I founded a website for Bonanza called Bonanza Brand. We have a high volume forum there with tons of discussion and experts. I know A LOT of the fans that come online personally, the fanfic writers and the Bonanza Gold Staff. You can email privately for more information at: jjskywriter@bonanzabrand.net
Education/Credentials Obtaining Two Bachelor's of Science Degrees in TV/Film Production and Radio/Audio Production with a minor in Film Studies. I Hope to work as a Disk Jockey or Radio Personality someday.
Expert: Jo Skywriter Date: 2/17/2008 Subject: The "Original" Bonanza Ranch House
Question Was the ranch house for the TV show "originally" found in some location in Nevada, then sort of copied and built at the studio? Or was it dreamed up in hollywood? Where is the ranch house pictured in this shot/ http://ponderosascenery3.homestead.com/files/pic10.html.
Thanks.
Answer As far as I know the house was dreamed up in Hollywood. Whether it was based on an actual house or not I have no clue. I'm guessing there was probably inspiration from somewhere or many places as I'm sure the creators wanted things to seem as historically accurate as possible. Most of the show was filmed in California especially around the early seasons in studios in Burbank and such with many outdoor scenes filmed at the Iverson Ranch, Big Bear Lake, Eureka Valley and places like that.
Eventually and this might be why you are asking the question, there was a replica house built in Nevada on Lake Tahoe in the summer of 1967 by Bill Anderson. The house in the photo you sent me is a shot of the full scale replica there at Incline Village. In later seasons there were some scenes in episodes filmed at the replica Ponderosa and if you ever want to know which episodes those are just watch the credits at the end of the show. There was a special watercolour card used saying that some parts were filmed at the ranch.
