‘Bonanza’ theme park closes its gates

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Ponderosa Ranch has faded into the sunset.

The 570-acre Western theme park overlooking Lake Tahoe, made famous by the 1960s television series “Bonanza,” shut its gates last month after nearly four decades.

Thousands of people visited the park during its final weekend for one last snapshot of the Ponderosa and the TV show that featured the Cartwright family: Ben, Little Joe, Hoss and Adam.

“Bonanza,” which was first broadcast in 1959, went off the air in 1973. But the Ponderosa Ranch – with its Western town, memorabilia, “Hoss” burgers and hay ride breakfasts – stayed open.

Owners of the ranch sold it in July to Incline Village resident and developer David Duffield for an undisclosed price. Duffield has said he has “no immediate development plans” for the property.