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The Little House Guidebook
In her classic books, Laura Ingalls Wilder lovingly described the many little houses she and her family lived in as they traveled across the American frontier. Today, these houses have been preserved as sites and museums that thousands of fans visit every year. The Little House Guidebook contains detailed information on these sites, as well as guidance on where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas. Special features included colored tabs on each chapter for easy reference, a room-by-room tour of Laura's Rocky Ridge Farmhouse, and a walking tour and street map of De Smet, Laura's little town on the prairie, as well as guidance on how to get to the sites, where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas.
Lavishly illustrated throughout with beautiful full-color photographs of Laura's houses and memorabilia, and gently colorized versions of Garth Williams' original art from the Little House books, this guidebook is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to visit Laura's little houses or just read about them.
Lavishly illustrated throughout with beautiful full-color photographs of Laura's houses and memorabilia, and gently colorized versions of Garth Williams' original art from the Little House books, this guidebook is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to visit Laura's little houses or just read about them.
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 1996
1 person is currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
William Anderson
39 books64 followersWilliam Anderson is an American author, historian and lecturer. He is a specialist in the subject of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her times.
His interest in American frontier began after reading Little House on the Prairie. He is a director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri, and he lives and works as a teacher in Michigan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
His interest in American frontier began after reading Little House on the Prairie. He is a director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri, and he lives and works as a teacher in Michigan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 2, 2026
Laura Ingalls Wilder was a beloved children's author who wrote about her family's experience traveling west in a time where there were no towns, no stores, and no homes to move into.
They started in Pepin, Wisconsin, in a little log cabin and she eventually moved to Mansfield, Missouri with her husband, Almanzo.
This little guidebook takes the reader through each location the Ingalls family lived in, provides details about which structures have been preserved or reconstructed, and gives an overview of the town (including dining and other things to do while there).
A quick caveat: the edition I read was published in the early 2000s, so I cannot vouch for how many of the businesses mentioned or Laura Ingalls Wilder festivals are still up and running, but at the same time I did really enjoy reading about the "real" locations where Laura lived - they even threw in a few bonuses that weren't mentioned in the book series!
Pepin, Wisconsin - Little House in the Big Woods
--This is the first place mentioned in Laura's books. Her family lived in a little cottage built by Pa. They actually sold the place when Laura was one year old, but returned to it when the buyer defaulted on the payments, the family lived in the cabin until she was about four.
--The events from book 1 occurred when they were in the home for the second time. Pa decided that the Big Woods of Wisconsin was becoming too crowded and so the family packed up and moved.
--The local library committee was able to locate the land owned by the Ingalls in the early 1960s. Since then, there was a replica homestead (the real one disappeared in the 1920s) placed on the property. Inside the little cabin is a living room, a bedroom, and a pantry but the rooms are unfurnished for fears of vandalism.
Independence, Kansas - Little House on the Prairie
--The Ingalls family found a lovely spot in what is now Montgomery County, Kansas but unfortunately, Pa chose land that belonged to the Osage Diminished Reserve. This book says it's accidental (but I've also read that Pa had an idea that the land was owned by the Osage tribe, but was banking on the government taking more land for US citizens). Either way, Pa never officially filed for an homestead but the family was included in the 1870 census.
--A year after the family moved to the Little House on the Prairie, Pa "discovered" that their land belonged to the Osage and the family decided to move further west rather than to find a plot of land to claim in the area.
--The Kansas State Historical Society was able to track down the land that where the family lived, including foundation rocks and a well that Pa hand-dug (and nearly killed him). The log cabin is furnished. There's also a couple of other buildings that date back to Laura's time that you can visit (a post office, and Sunnyside School).
Walnut Grove, Minnesota - On the Banks of Plum Creek
--This is the location of the infamous sod dugout that the family hunkered down in during the winter months, after which they moved into a 2-story house built by Pa. The family eventually had to leave after the grasshopper invasion ruined their crops.
--This site was made even more famous because it was mentioned in the first episode of the original television series. People flocked to Walnut Grove to visit the Ingalls's land.
--The Gordon family (who owned the land) would take people on tours to see the location of the dugout and other spots mentioned in the story. Unfortunately the two-story house is no longer standing and the dugout's roof collapsed in the 1920s but the impression is still there on the banks of the river.
Burr Oak, Iowa - The Masters Hotel
--This location isn't mentioned in the book, but the Ingalls family lived with Pa's brother for a time in Wabasha County, Minnesota as they mourned the loss of Laura's little brother (Charles Frederic, who passed away as a baby and wasn't included in her books).
--The family then spent two years in Burr Oak and helped run the Masters Hotel. It wasn't until the 1970s when the town realized that Laura and her family lived there. They also discovered the original frontier hotel was found still standing.
--The family moved once again but this time due to Pa's job with the railroad.
De Smet, South Dakota - By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years
--The family settled in the surveyor's house in De Smet for the winter. The Ingalls family became members of the town - participating in church and community activities. Laura also met and married Almanzo Wilder in this town.
--This town is the final resting place of Pa and Ma. You can see the inside of the Surveyor's house (which is also the oldest building in De Smet). The local library has a few relics from the Ingalls family, like Mary's raised-print bible.
---Many other locations from the stories can be seen, including the Ingalls Home - which began as a 2-room house but was added on by Pa to include three more bedrooms and a parlor. This is the fanciest house that Laura lived in with her family.
Mansfield, Missouri - The Rocky Ridge Years
--After the events of the books, eventually Laura and Almanzo bought the Rocky Ridge farm and settled in for a peaceful life. You can go through it room-by-room to discover where Laura lived her adult life and where she penned her famous books.
--Pa's fiddle is at this home! And the book contains a full-layout of the house. You can see that the home was built a room at a time, cause often each room opened into the next (rather than there being a hallways of doors. The Kitchen opens to the dining room which goes to either a bedroom or a music room, which you can follow to the parlor or a porch.
--There's also the Rock House, which was built in 1928 and is on the same property. Rose (Laura's daughter) built the house for her parents and Laura wrote the first four books in it. This book said it is being restored and a quick look at the website says that it is open for tours!
Malone, New York - Farmer Boy
--This is the childhood home of Almanzo Wilder (Laura's husband) who she wrote about in his own book. This is an 88-acre farm that Almanzo's father eventually sold but in 1987 the Laura Ingalls Wilder Association was able to purchase the Wilder Farm.
--After a very long restoration process, the 140-year-old farmhouse was returned to its original appearance (even going so far as to bring the doors and windows back to their original appearance).
--Many of the outbuildings have been lost to time but one of the goals mentioned in this guide was to re-build some of the barns (and a quick peek at the website confirmed this!). It's now a living history museum.
Overall Thoughts
--I really enjoyed this guidebook. I've wanted (for ages) to tour the Little House homes - to travel Laura's path and see what is left of her locations. And that goal is fairly far off for now but I feel like I have a good idea of what I'll see through this book.
--I loved the photographs - seeing Pa's fiddle, the handmade furniture, the little writing spots - they really fuel my desire to go out there and see the locations myself.
--If I'm ever able to tour these places, I'll check back in and let you all know how it goes!
They started in Pepin, Wisconsin, in a little log cabin and she eventually moved to Mansfield, Missouri with her husband, Almanzo.
This little guidebook takes the reader through each location the Ingalls family lived in, provides details about which structures have been preserved or reconstructed, and gives an overview of the town (including dining and other things to do while there).
A quick caveat: the edition I read was published in the early 2000s, so I cannot vouch for how many of the businesses mentioned or Laura Ingalls Wilder festivals are still up and running, but at the same time I did really enjoy reading about the "real" locations where Laura lived - they even threw in a few bonuses that weren't mentioned in the book series!
Pepin, Wisconsin - Little House in the Big Woods
--This is the first place mentioned in Laura's books. Her family lived in a little cottage built by Pa. They actually sold the place when Laura was one year old, but returned to it when the buyer defaulted on the payments, the family lived in the cabin until she was about four.
--The events from book 1 occurred when they were in the home for the second time. Pa decided that the Big Woods of Wisconsin was becoming too crowded and so the family packed up and moved.
--The local library committee was able to locate the land owned by the Ingalls in the early 1960s. Since then, there was a replica homestead (the real one disappeared in the 1920s) placed on the property. Inside the little cabin is a living room, a bedroom, and a pantry but the rooms are unfurnished for fears of vandalism.
Independence, Kansas - Little House on the Prairie
--The Ingalls family found a lovely spot in what is now Montgomery County, Kansas but unfortunately, Pa chose land that belonged to the Osage Diminished Reserve. This book says it's accidental (but I've also read that Pa had an idea that the land was owned by the Osage tribe, but was banking on the government taking more land for US citizens). Either way, Pa never officially filed for an homestead but the family was included in the 1870 census.
--A year after the family moved to the Little House on the Prairie, Pa "discovered" that their land belonged to the Osage and the family decided to move further west rather than to find a plot of land to claim in the area.
--The Kansas State Historical Society was able to track down the land that where the family lived, including foundation rocks and a well that Pa hand-dug (and nearly killed him). The log cabin is furnished. There's also a couple of other buildings that date back to Laura's time that you can visit (a post office, and Sunnyside School).
Walnut Grove, Minnesota - On the Banks of Plum Creek
--This is the location of the infamous sod dugout that the family hunkered down in during the winter months, after which they moved into a 2-story house built by Pa. The family eventually had to leave after the grasshopper invasion ruined their crops.
--This site was made even more famous because it was mentioned in the first episode of the original television series. People flocked to Walnut Grove to visit the Ingalls's land.
--The Gordon family (who owned the land) would take people on tours to see the location of the dugout and other spots mentioned in the story. Unfortunately the two-story house is no longer standing and the dugout's roof collapsed in the 1920s but the impression is still there on the banks of the river.
Burr Oak, Iowa - The Masters Hotel
--This location isn't mentioned in the book, but the Ingalls family lived with Pa's brother for a time in Wabasha County, Minnesota as they mourned the loss of Laura's little brother (Charles Frederic, who passed away as a baby and wasn't included in her books).
--The family then spent two years in Burr Oak and helped run the Masters Hotel. It wasn't until the 1970s when the town realized that Laura and her family lived there. They also discovered the original frontier hotel was found still standing.
--The family moved once again but this time due to Pa's job with the railroad.
De Smet, South Dakota - By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years
--The family settled in the surveyor's house in De Smet for the winter. The Ingalls family became members of the town - participating in church and community activities. Laura also met and married Almanzo Wilder in this town.
--This town is the final resting place of Pa and Ma. You can see the inside of the Surveyor's house (which is also the oldest building in De Smet). The local library has a few relics from the Ingalls family, like Mary's raised-print bible.
---Many other locations from the stories can be seen, including the Ingalls Home - which began as a 2-room house but was added on by Pa to include three more bedrooms and a parlor. This is the fanciest house that Laura lived in with her family.
Mansfield, Missouri - The Rocky Ridge Years
--After the events of the books, eventually Laura and Almanzo bought the Rocky Ridge farm and settled in for a peaceful life. You can go through it room-by-room to discover where Laura lived her adult life and where she penned her famous books.
--Pa's fiddle is at this home! And the book contains a full-layout of the house. You can see that the home was built a room at a time, cause often each room opened into the next (rather than there being a hallways of doors. The Kitchen opens to the dining room which goes to either a bedroom or a music room, which you can follow to the parlor or a porch.
--There's also the Rock House, which was built in 1928 and is on the same property. Rose (Laura's daughter) built the house for her parents and Laura wrote the first four books in it. This book said it is being restored and a quick look at the website says that it is open for tours!
Malone, New York - Farmer Boy
--This is the childhood home of Almanzo Wilder (Laura's husband) who she wrote about in his own book. This is an 88-acre farm that Almanzo's father eventually sold but in 1987 the Laura Ingalls Wilder Association was able to purchase the Wilder Farm.
--After a very long restoration process, the 140-year-old farmhouse was returned to its original appearance (even going so far as to bring the doors and windows back to their original appearance).
--Many of the outbuildings have been lost to time but one of the goals mentioned in this guide was to re-build some of the barns (and a quick peek at the website confirmed this!). It's now a living history museum.
Overall Thoughts
--I really enjoyed this guidebook. I've wanted (for ages) to tour the Little House homes - to travel Laura's path and see what is left of her locations. And that goal is fairly far off for now but I feel like I have a good idea of what I'll see through this book.
--I loved the photographs - seeing Pa's fiddle, the handmade furniture, the little writing spots - they really fuel my desire to go out there and see the locations myself.
--If I'm ever able to tour these places, I'll check back in and let you all know how it goes!
February 16, 2020
This is more a travelbook then a picture book. For the first one it is perfect, but not what I was looking for. The book was also older and so I don't know if the information is still correct. However, it had information I didn't know about the life of Laura which is not in the TV series or other books.
January 31, 2021
Of course I rated it 5 stars, I love all things Little House. This great contribution to the oeuvre by the Little House expert, William Anderson, is a literal guidebook to the key home sites of the Ingalls & Wilder families over their lifetimes. From Pepin, Wisconsin, to Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri, and all the places in between, Anderson gives us directions to where we can find each site, a description of what is on the site, other important and relevant places of interest in each area, and addresses and contact information of where to stay and eat. The all-in-one guide to the perfect Little House road trip. Sure it was published several years ago so expect some changes regarding available hotels and restaurants. Regardless, it's a great starting point. It's full of beautiful pictures, and references to Laura Ingalls' stories.
April 26, 2015
Three stars is a little harsh for a travel guide that I've read through twice already and keep handy by my table in case I need to plan my trip tomorrow.
Sorry! It has lots of stuff to do and see, good pictures, directions to get everywhere and even some restaurant tips. I won't know how good those directions and tips are until I go, but I'll definitely give them a shot.
My only criticism is that the book could have been twice as long, with more museums and exhibits that maybe weren't Little House centric but still told the stories of the times. But then--if it had them--other people would have complained that he got off topic.
I'll switch back to four stars.
Sorry! It has lots of stuff to do and see, good pictures, directions to get everywhere and even some restaurant tips. I won't know how good those directions and tips are until I go, but I'll definitely give them a shot.
My only criticism is that the book could have been twice as long, with more museums and exhibits that maybe weren't Little House centric but still told the stories of the times. But then--if it had them--other people would have complained that he got off topic.
I'll switch back to four stars.
August 24, 2016
One book I’ve poured over through the years is the Little House Guide Book by William Anderson. I’ve got a signed copy from the author from Little House Days at Heritage Hill in Green Bay. The book details all of the Wilder sites around the country with pictures, how to get there, what is good to see, and other area attractions. I especially liked this book as you knew what to expect at the sites. It was a great reference for our trip to Pepin and Walnut Grove.
This review was originally published in my blog post about our journey at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2016/...
This review was originally published in my blog post about our journey at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2016/...
February 10, 2020
This is a very comprehensive guide to all of the Little House home sites. It's very easy to read and understand. The photography is outstanding! I actually have the 1996 edition which I'm sure is outdated, but I'm happy to see that there have been two updated editions since this one was published. The author even goes so far as to inform the reader of other things to do in the area of each home site and also gives information about the places to eat and stay nearby.
March 22, 2015
Anything about Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson is a must read. I saw a review that said more information about things non-Laura would be appreciated. These are very small towns where they haven't disappeared because of their connection to Laura. There's not much else there. Also this book is helpful because the options are limited.
May 2, 2011
Another book I read a while ago. Definitely a book I go back to often and reference when I am planning a trip near one of the Little House sites, as I make sure I have time in the trip to visit the sites or want to relive memories of a visit.
June 12, 2011
I am seriously thinking about taking my geekdom to an all new level and going to tour the Laura Ingalls Wilder homesites. I just find it fascinating and really want to take a road trip. This was a great and informative guidebook.
December 13, 2011
This was really fun! Makes me want to do a roadtrip. I only gave it four stars because some of it will (or has already) go out of date pretty quickly. But the parts about the sites and where to visit, combined with the websites make it worth checking out!
May 18, 2015
This is worth buying.
March 27, 2014
What a delightful book! Wonderful information, beautiful artwork, and fabulous photography. My only wish is that it would be updated so that the information is more accurate- some of the businesses mentioned have closed, and prices and hours have altered over the years as well.
July 31, 2012
A must have if you want to go searching for the "Little Houses"
January 20, 2014
This is such a helpful travel guide to all the Little House sites, giving history, biographical snippets, as well as places to see and stay and eat along the way.
February 4, 2023
I have long been a lover of any Little House related and regularly buy whatever I can get my hands on. This is the perfect addition to my collection and is ideal for those of us who plan on visiting the historical sites linked to where Laura and the Ingalls/Wilder families used to stay, or for those of us who think well maybe someday, or who don't have the time/money to spare traipsing around.
It's a lovely glossy book, full with colour photos of the sites, right from the Little House in the Big Woods (a reconstruction), to places where Almanzo and Rose used to stay. It does go into a lot of detail, about what has been reproduced, and what still exists from the Ingalls/Wilders time and what museums/memorials you can visit. It also lists how to get to these places (very useful if you're planning on taking a car around them all), where to stay and where to eat. I did mostly skim these latter parts, since I have no plans to visit any time soon, but these will be useful for those who are.
There are also some mentions/photos of where the family/familiar names from the books are buried, and the memorials, which appeals to the taphophile in me. All the photos are really good quality as well, which is a bonus and it is lovely for a flick through or to sit and read in a sitting. It will not take long either, as it is just under 100 pages long. It has also been written by William Anderson, who has had quite a hand in writing some biographies etc of Laura Ingalls Wilder, so you know that it has been well researched.
Definitely one to grab and add to your collection for all the Little House fans, whether you plan on visiting or just want to "visit" from the comfort of your home.
It's a lovely glossy book, full with colour photos of the sites, right from the Little House in the Big Woods (a reconstruction), to places where Almanzo and Rose used to stay. It does go into a lot of detail, about what has been reproduced, and what still exists from the Ingalls/Wilders time and what museums/memorials you can visit. It also lists how to get to these places (very useful if you're planning on taking a car around them all), where to stay and where to eat. I did mostly skim these latter parts, since I have no plans to visit any time soon, but these will be useful for those who are.
There are also some mentions/photos of where the family/familiar names from the books are buried, and the memorials, which appeals to the taphophile in me. All the photos are really good quality as well, which is a bonus and it is lovely for a flick through or to sit and read in a sitting. It will not take long either, as it is just under 100 pages long. It has also been written by William Anderson, who has had quite a hand in writing some biographies etc of Laura Ingalls Wilder, so you know that it has been well researched.
Definitely one to grab and add to your collection for all the Little House fans, whether you plan on visiting or just want to "visit" from the comfort of your home.
July 25, 2017
I just finished a road trip hitting 7 of the 8 Laura Ingalls Wilder sites in the last week, and this book was super helpful. The author included enough details so that I didn't miss anything at the sites. Some of the reviews mentioned that some of the information (like hotels and restaurants) is outdated, but that's what the internet is for. :) It was really nice having the information all in one spot, and because of those sites are remote, the directions were also super important. There will have to be an updated edition at some point: Mansfield added a new museum/gift shop at a new site just down the road in 2016 and Independence is planning an expansion in the next couple of years.
June 29, 2020
This is a lovely little book to plan a trip to Little House, and Ingalls-Wilder Family historic sites. It does have numerous photos of the historic, travel sites. I believe this is the latest edition, from 2007---so as others have said the info may be a bit out of date from 13 years ago.
May 22, 2024
I’ve been a fan of the Little House books since first grade. I grew up with the TV series as well. I enjoyed this book. Great photography. Very comprehensive. Hopefully one day I can take it along as I visit the actual sites.
July 20, 2025
Bill Anderson is the commnensurate story teller. His depth of knowledge regarding everything about Laura Ingalls Wilder shines through this book. Highly recommend.
July 19, 2012
Far better than Little House Country, this has updated photos that actually make all of the places look like something you'd want to go see! My disappointment comes from the very stilted cleaned-up version of history that's presented when it comes to the Little House on the Prairie site, though, where it's explained that Pa didn't know that he was settling on Indian Territory (highly unlikely) and that eventually all of the unrest was settled when the Indians were given a "fair price" for the government for the land. (Yep--he actually uses the phrase "fair price.") It would have been nice to see a lot more balance in that little blurb.
September 3, 2012
It was fun reading this book after I visited most of the sites this summer. My only complaint is that, even though this is an updated version of the book published in the 1990s, it is woefully out of date (the problem with guidebooks). The prices are higher than the book lists and the tours weren't quite the same. What I think should be added to the book in the next update is how to get to the beach in Pepin to pick up pebbles. I'd love to know, too, if there is an idea at which point the Ingalls crossed the river.
October 18, 2014
I am wanting to do a road trip of most of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homesites and this is definitely the resource you need to do that. It gives information on the homesites, which is great but it also gives information on how to get there, where to stay and where to eat. Some of these little towns don't have hotels and restaurants to the book tells you where the nearest places are as well. The pictures in the book are phenomenal as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2015
It would be fun to follow the trail detailed is this little guide from homestead site to homestead site, maybe sit on the banks of Plum Creek. The facts - both historical and contemporary -- are out of date and somewhat backward in tone but the journey is nicely photgraphed.
May 18, 2013
Good, helpful information. Hopefully, we can plan a road trip in the near future to visit all the famous Laura Ingalls sites
November 19, 2013
One of the best guidebooks for a little house trek
February 1, 2015
What I thought would be uninteresting has totally renewed my wish to some day make a trip to see all of the places Laura Ingalls Wilder lived. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews