V.C. Merchants Torn Twixt Truth and Profit; the Tourists Gotta Have A Ponderosa Ranch!

Guest Contributor: C.L. Yearzago
Reprinted from Territorial Enterprise and Virginia City News: April 29, 1960

Some months ago with considerable fanfare there was launched an NBC television program called Bonanza. Primarily produced as a plug for color television, although the program is also seen in black and white, Bonanza’s action is laid in the Virginia City area with the home of the good men a so-called Ponderosa Ranch. Its place in time is set at about a hundred years ago and any resemblance to neighboring backgrounds, Virginia City itself, and episodes in its history is wholly coincidental.

And now by supremist irony and incidentally offering a chilling commentary on the mass influence of a medium that not always achieves the stature of mature entertainment Virginia City has become a goal of tourists who see Bonanza once each week and believe in it and wish to inspect the ranch or its location and the last resting places of the Cartwrights – the good men – and to meet any of their descendants who might be around. Post mast Edward Gladding frequently receives letters addressed to one or more of the Cartwrights and residents who attempt to set the record straight with the pilgrims are regarded with disfavor and some times presented wit the implication that they are anti-Cartwright and therefore on the side of the bad men in the story. “They make me feel like I’d said there is no Santa Claus or that justice doesn’t always triumph,” was one man’s recent weary comment.

Therefore, are Virginia City businessmen whose livelihood depends upon the tourist trade doing some realistic soul searching. Should they continue to disappoint the Ponderosa seekers or should they ride with the gag and settle with their consciences later? The consensus appears inclined toward the latter alternative.

“So long as it does no harm we might as well cash in on the thing.” Is the way one saloon keeper expresses it.

Over the past fortnight informal conferences have been held to determine a “site” for the mythical Ponderosa, with tentative agreement being reached on the junction of Six and Seven Mile canyons two miles east of town. While nothing resembling a ponderosa pine has ever grown in that district, in fact anywhere in the area, it is acknowledged that any person gullible enough to accept as gospel the program’s story lie will not be disturbed by the absence of timber. Also there is ready at hand at the junction that foundation of the old Stone House that recently was dismantled for re-erection near The Divide, a foundation that could be designated as that of the one, the only , the original Ponderosa ranch house.

While a few members of the C Street business community have been known to stretch the truth a bit when retailing bits of Comstock history this is believed to be the first time that an out-and-out fictional creation has got its foot inside the local historical door.

Editor’s clarification: That location at the intersection of 6 and 7 mile canyons was the location of the first Ophir mining and milling operation. At that location you will still find a deep impression in the ground from the crushing operation. I have some interesting stories about what we used to tell the tourists how to find the original “Ponderosa” ranch.

Bonanza Days is back, May 9-10, 2026, in Virginia City: bonanzadays.net