The 'Bonanza' Quiz

"Bonanza" was one of the first color westerns. When it premiered, there were few color TV shows. Thanks to shows like "Bonanza," 50 percent of all U.S. televisions were color by 1971.

"Bonanza" is set near the Comstock Silver Lode around the time of the Civil War in the mining town of Virginia City, Nevada.

The Cartwright family homestead of Ponderosa Ranch takes its name from the pine trees native to the area.

"Bonanza" premiered on Sept. 12, 1959, and ran through 1973.

The classic western drama ran for 430 episodes over 14 seasons.

Ben Cartwright had three sons with three different wives, who were all dead by the time the show premiered.

Ben's three wives included Elizabeth Stoddard, Inger Borgstrom and Marie, who died after falling from a horse.

Ben Cartwright had three sons: Adam, Joe and Eric (better known as Hoss).

Eldest son Adam was the only Cartwright to attend college. After studying architecture, he returned home to help his family run the ranch.

Only Little Joe Cartwright tied the knot, but in true "Bonanza" fashion, his wife died shortly after the big day.

In the pilot, the Cartwrights open the show singing along to the familiar theme music. Fortunately, producers realized that the whole singing thing didn’t make sense and quickly dropped the idea.

Played by Victor Sen Yung, Hop Sing served as the loyal Cartwright family cook.

Ray Teal played Sheriff Roy Coffee in 98 episodes of "Bonanza."

Bing Russell starred as Deputy Clem Foster in 57 episodes of the show.

David Canary starred as Candy Canaday, the loyal ranch foreman.

After actor Dan Blocker died unexpectedly, his character Hoss suffered a fatal accident at the start of the 14th and final season.

Joe enjoyed a brief marriage to Alice Harper before she was beaten to death by Sloan.

The show won just three Emmy awards, for music, cinematography and editing.

Greene played father Ben Cartwright on 430 episodes of "Bonanza."

Michael Landon played Joe Cartwright for 427 episodes. He later starred on "Little House on the Prairie."

Pernell Roberts played big brother Adam Cartwright on 200 episodes of "Bonanza."

Uncle Gunnar Borgstrom came in to cause trouble for the Cartwrights several times throughout the series.

After Hoss accidentally kills a man during a bar fight, the victim's brother comes to Ponderosa Ranch to seek revenge.

During season four, Joe's half brother Clay comes to town and becomes a ranch hand at Ponderosa.

In season five's "Hoss and the Leprechauns," Hoss is convinced that he sees sprites running around the Ponderosa.

Hoss and Carol Attley's relationship falls apart after she's arrested for murdering her husband.

Joe debates whether to amputate his arm after a brutal break in the episode "A Matter of Circumstance."

After his con man grandfather dies, Jamie Hunter is left an orphan, so Ben adopts him, and Jamie becomes a Cartwright.

Bradley Meredith uses his appearance to his advantage, impersonating Ben in an attempt to score a big payday.

Ben gives parolee Griff King a second chance at life by hiring him at the Ponderosa after his release from prison.