In fact, none of Little House on the Prairie series was actually filmed in Minnesota. Most of the filming took place at Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California, which was used to create the town of Walnut Grove, while interior scenes were filmed at Paramount Studios.
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. For decades I had believed that Little House On The Prairie was exclusively filmed in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, because that is what Pastor Max Younce told everyone. I am confident that Brother Younce himself had no idea that the series was actually filmed entirely in the desert of California. Dr. Younce would not intentionally deceive anyone, of that I am 100% certain. I was amazed to learn the shocking truth.
In 2020, Walnut Grove had a population of 1,288 residents, but today in 2026 the town's population has dwindled down to 770 residents (about a 5% decline each year). The faltering economy has hurt tens of millions of Americans. Sadly, President Trump has failed to keep his promise to lower the high cost of living. Just last month, the median home cost hit an all time high in the United States. Prices are not coming down, they are continually rising.
I went to eat at one of my favorite restaurants in Pensacola last week. I love their Stuffed Crabs, which now cost a shocking $3.25 each. When I moved to Pensacola in 2021 those Stuffed Crabs only cost $1.90 each. That's a 58% price increase in just 5 years! The cost of everything has skyrocketed!
That being said, the story of Little House On The Prairie is very true. Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, from 1874 to 1876. During this time, her family resided in a dugout on the banks of Plum Creek. The movie series is based upon Laura's life in Walnut Grove. So, although none of the series was actually filmed in Walnut Grove, the story is true.
