“Map to Illustrate the Ponderosa” may be the most famous map in the country. It appeared at the beginning of each episode of the TV show “Bonanza.” As the theme music played, the map gradually burned away, revealing the Cartwright clan. More from a recent LA Times article:
“The family of ‘Bonanza’ creator and producer David Dortort donated the drawing [of the map]to the Autry [National Center of the American West in Los Angeles] after his death last September at age 93. Dortort himself had already given the museum his archive of ‘Bonanza’ scripts, photographs, awards, production records and other memorabilia. . .But map-maker [Robert Temple] Ayres is still with us, living in the Riverside County community of Cherry Valley, where he’ll celebrate his 98th birthday on July 28.”
Mr. Ayres has only recently given up painting, but he was delighted to learn that the map is in the Autry’s collection and intends to go see his work on display. We intend to go, too!
