Little House on the Prairie: Season 1

1974 · 23 episodes · ★ 7.7

What Season 1 of Little House on the Prairie

Around 1870, Charles Ingalls, a homebody who struggles to put down roots, moves with Caroline and their three daughters to the banks of Plum Creek, near Walnut Grove, Minnesota. In this frontier town money is scarce and every decision carries weight. Charles works at Hanson's mill to get lumber for their house and negotiates with the Olesons for seed and food. His friendship with Nels suffers from the gossip of Harriet, who stirs up disputes between neighbors. Debts threaten the farm and the town's peace, while Mary and Laura face school and Nellie. Charles works grueling days, but a serious setback forces him to rethink his plans.

23episodes

Sep 11, 1974premiered

May 7, 1975latest episode

19.5 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 A Harvest of Friends
Sep 11, 1974 · 49 min · ★ 8.5
The Ingalls settle on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. To acquire the deed to his farm, Charles takes several jobs.
Directed by: Michael Landon · Written by: John Hawkins, William Putman · Starring: Kevin Hagen, Karl Swenson, Ruth Foster, Dabbs Greer
1x02 Country Girls
Sep 18, 1974 · 49 min · ★ 8.4
Laura and Mary start school for the first time. That is where they meet Nellie Oleson. Since Laura hasn't been to school before, she tries especially hard with her schoolwork. The students have to write an essay to present in front of the class. Laura recites what she would have written on the paper if she could have, instead of what was actually written on it.
Directed by: William F. Claxton · Written by: Juanita Bartlett · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Tracie Savage, Ruth Foster
1x03 100 Mile Walk
Sep 25, 1974 · 49 min
In the beginning, things look very good for the Ingalls until a bad hailstorm ruins their crops. Charles and some other farmers must leave to look for work. They end up working in a quarry. While Charles is away, Caroline is able to get the women of Walnut Grove to join together to harvest the remaining crops.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Ward Hawkins · Starring: Lance Kerwin, Karl Swenson, Rick Hurst, Don Knight
1x04 Mr. Edwards' Homecoming
Oct 2, 1974 · 49 min
While Charles is in Mankato, he runs into Mr. Edwards and invites him to come to Walnut Grove. Caroline tries to match Mr. Edwards up with Grace Snider, but instead she just ends up in the way since Mr. Edwards is able to charm Grace all by himself. Although there are a couple problems that must be overcome, things turn out for the best in the end.
Directed by: Michael Landon · Written by: Joel Murcott · Starring: Victor French, Kevin Hagen, Karl Swenson, Ruth Foster
1x05 The Love of Johnny Johnson
Oct 9, 1974 · 49 min
Laura falls in love with a new student, Johnny Johnson. Johnny, who is a lot older than Laura, is interested in Mary instead. Although Mary is not interested in Johnny, Laura's actions cause tension between the sisters. When Charles finds this out, he is appalled that either of his girls is involved with Johnny.
Directed by: William F. Claxton · Written by: Gerry Day · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Jimmy McNichol, Tracie Savage
1x06 If I Should Wake Before I Die
Oct 23, 1974 · 49 min
After her friend dies, Miss Amy, an old lady, convinces the Ingalls and Doc Baker to help her stage her own death. Amy thought this was the only way to get her family to come and see her.
Directing: Victor French · Writing: Harold Swanton · Starring: Kevin Hagen, Josephine Hutchinson, Karl Swenson, Ruth McDevitt
1x07 Town Party, Country Party
Oct 30, 1974 · 49 min
Laura connects with a sweet, shy classmate named Olga Nordstrom, who happens to have been born with a short leg. Charles has an idea that can change Olga’s entire life, but the challenge will be convincing the child’s stubborn widowed father.
Directed by: Alf Kjellin · Written by: Juanita Bartlett · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Kim Richards, Tracie Savage
1x08 Ma's Holiday
Nov 6, 1974 · 49 min
Charles and Caroline decide to go on a second honeymoon and leave Mr. Edwards in charge of the children. The honeymoon doesn't turn out very well because Caroline keeps worrying about the children. Back at home, Mr. Edwards has his hands full with Carrie.
Directed by: Leo Penn · Written by: Dale Eunson · Starring: Victor French, Bonnie Bartlett
1x09 School Mom
Nov 13, 1974 · 49 min
After Ms. Beadle sprains her ankle, Caroline becomes the substitute teacher. Caroline takes a special interest in helping an older student, Abel, learn to read. One day Mrs. Oleson shows up and causes Abel to quit school. Because of this Caroline quits, but returns after she convinces Abel to give school another chance.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Ward Hawkins, Jean Rouverol · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen, Dirk Blocker
1x10 The Raccoon
Nov 20, 1974 · 49 min
Charles allows Laura to adopt a baby raccoon, Jasper. After being caged, the raccoon bites Laura and Jack and runs away. The family fears that Laura and Jack might have rabies until a healthy Jasper returns.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Joseph Bonaduce · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen, Tracie Savage
1x11 The Voice of Tinker Jones
Dec 4, 1974 · 49 min
The town becomes divided when Mrs. Oleson offers to buy a bell for the church, but only if she can put up a plaque. The differences and arguing begin to affect the school children. A mute craftsman, Tinker Jones, steps in and with the help of the school children, is able to make a bell.
Directing: Leo Penn · Writing: Tony Kayden, Michael Russnow · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Jimmy McNichol, Eileen Ryan
1x12 The Award
Dec 11, 1974 · 49 min
While studying for an optional history exam in the barn, Mary accidentally knocks over a reading lamp and starts a fire. Caroline punishes Mary by telling her she couldn't take the exam. Mary doesn't tell Ms. Beadle this until the day of the exam.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Michael Landon · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Ruth Foster, Dabbs Greer
1x13 The Lord is My Shepherd
Dec 18, 1974 · 93 min
Caroline becomes pregnant. Shortly after the baby is born, he becomes ill.Believing that her jealousy was responsible for her infant brother's death and that her parents would rather have a son than a spare daughter, Laura climbs the highest hill she can find, hoping to get as close to God as possible to ask Him to take her instead and return the baby boy to the family. While Charles and Mr. Edwards desperately search for her, Laura meets Jonathan, a mystical mountain man who seems to have been sent purposely to guide her through this life-changing experience.
Directing: Michael Landon · Writing: Michael Landon · Starring: Victor French, Kevin Hagen, Ernest Borgnine, William Cort
1x14 Christmas At Plum Creek
Dec 25, 1974 · 49 min
The Christmas holiday is approaching and the members of the Ingalls family go about their holiday shopping in secrecy. Laura is able to buy her mom a stove that she wanted after she sells her horse to Mr. Oleson.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Arthur Heinemann · Starring: Queenie Smith, Alison Arngrim, Ruth Foster
1x15 Family Quarrel
Jan 15, 1975 · 49 min
After a major disagreement, Nels and Harriet go their separate ways. Many people in town try to get the two back together.
Directing: William F. Claxton · Writing: Ward Hawkins · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen, Karl Swenson
1x16 Doctor's Lady
Jan 22, 1975 · 49 min
Dr. Baker and Harriet's niece, Kate, fall in love with each other. Then their age difference becomes an issue.
Directing: Lewis Allen · Writing: Arthur Heinemann, Ann Beckett · Starring: Kevin Hagen, Anne Archer, Karl Swenson, Ruth Foster
1x17 Plague
Jan 29, 1975 · 49 min
Several people in Walnut Grove get very sick. A quarantine is set up in the church while the source of the illness is being sought.
Directed by: William F. Claxton · Written by: Michael Landon, William Keys · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Victor French, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen
1x18 Circus Man
Feb 5, 1975 · 49 min
A traveling circusman, O'Hara, comes to Walnut Grove and tries to get everyone to believe he has magic healing powders. However, he is really found out when Mrs. Oleson almost loses her life when she tries his healing powders instead of having an operation.
Directed by: Victor French · Written by: Ward Hawkins, Preston Wood, Ward Hawkins · Starring: Kevin Hagen, Red Buttons, Karl Swenson
1x19 Child of Pain
Feb 12, 1975 · 48 min
When it is found out that a young boy, Graham, is being beaten by his alcoholic father, John, Caroline takes care of the boy while Charles stays with John to try to get him to stay sober.
Directed by: Victor French · Written by: John Meston · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen, Harris Yulin
1x20 Money Crop
Feb 19, 1975 · 49 min
A college-educated farmer named Joe moves to Walnut Grove with his pregnant wife. He tells the Walnut Grove-area farmers of a new hybrid of corn that would produce good crops, to which the farmers are very enthused. They decide to buy some of this new seed. While on the way back to Walnut Grove with the seed, Joe gets into an accident, as the farmers wait for his return.
Directed by: Leo Penn · Written by: John Meston, Ward Hawkins · Starring: Kevin Hagen, Karl Swenson, Ruth Foster
1x21 Survival
Feb 26, 1975 · 49 min
The Ingallses have to seek shelter when a blizzard hits. There they meet an Indian who helps them out. A marshall, looking for the Indian, comes by...
Directed by: William F. Claxton · Written by: John Hawkins · Starring: Robert Tessier, Jack Ging, Carl Pitti
1x22 To See the World
Mar 5, 1975 · 48 min
Johnny Johnson leaves to "see the world" and Mr. Edwards goes along with him to keep him out of trouble. Johnny meets up with a girl who is able to trick him out of a lot of money. Mr. Edwards talks to this girl to try to have her convince Johnny to go back home.
Directed by: Michael Landon · Written by: Gerry Day · Starring: Victor French, Mitch Vogel, Karl Swenson, Leonard Barr
1x23 Founder's Day Season Finale
May 7, 1975 · 48 min
Walnut Grove celebrates this great day with several different competitions. There are very competitive spirits between the Olesons and the Ingallses.
Directed by: William F. Claxton · Written by: Ward Hawkins, John Hawkins, Byron Twiggs · Starring: Jonathan Gilbert, Georgia Schmidt, Alison Arngrim, Kevin Hagen