LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE AND LAURA

Despite having grown up in Wisconsin, I didn’t know much about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her books and life until I moved to Minnesota and had children.  Then I became enthralled with her childhood stories of prairie life and travels westward with Ma and Pa and her sisters Mary, Caroline, and Grace.

Laura was born in a log house near Pepin, Wisconsin.  Today there’s a replica of that house seven miles out of town.  There’s also a Laura Ingalls Wilder museum and a festival in Pepin in early September every year; it celebrates her life and stories.  I visited the museum a few years ago and have a renewed interest now that my granddaughter loves to read the stories and see the old television episodes.  We both perk up our ears when we hear Minnesota cities like Minneapolis and Mankato and Walnut Grove mentioned.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in 1867.  Her Little House books reflect her life in the late 1800’s.  They include Little House in the Big Woods, the first one written about her early childhood in Wisconsin.  Those that followed included Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, These Happy Golden Years, and The Long Winter. Initially it was Laura’s daughter Rose who encouraged her to write about her experiences and helped her develop the stories. Rose became a well-known author as well.  Today Laura’s stories are translated into at least 40 languages.  Her first Little House book was published in 1932 and she finished her last one at age 76. 

Laura at 18 with Almanzo

Laura had many hardships in her life, including the death of a newborn son after she and Almanzo married.  They met in De Smet, South Dakota, her parent’s last stop.  At the age of 15 Laura became a teacher in De Smet for several years in a one-room school house, while finishing her own schooling and working as a dressmaker.  She married at 18 and often wrote about her life together with Almanzo and the joys and hardships they experienced, including serious illnesses Almanzo faced, as well as problems with fires and drought.  Laura once wrote, “Today our way of living and our schools are much different; so many things have made living and learning easier.  But the real things haven’t changed.  It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.”  She was a woman of tremendous courage.  Her stories became real to people everywhere.  She wrote, “It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones.”  I remind myself of that daily.

Laura as an adult

Laura Ingalls Wilder died in 1957 at the age of 90.  It is a tribute to her that festivals are held all over the Midwest where she once lived, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Missouri.  I’m hoping to attend one with my grandchildren in Walnut Grove, MN this July.  I’m wondering if we’ll hear some fiddle music since Laura often talked about Pa’s fiddle in her books.  She said that Pa always had a song, whether for happy or sad occasions. 

my parents with their simple bundle of joy

How lucky millions of us feel that Laura shared her stories of prairie life. Remembering her and the joy she found in “sweet, simple things”, I’ve included a few photos from my own life and family that reflect those thoughts.

our son years ago in my grandparents home with Aunt Ellen l