
Ben Cartwright is the patriarch of an all-male Nevada ranching family. Set during and after the Civil War, "Bonanza" is the story of life on the family's thousand-acre spread, known as the Ponderosa, near Virginia City. Ben has his three sons, each with a different (and deceased) mother. Serious eldest son Adam hopes to follow in his father's footsteps; middle son Hoss is a gentle giant -- physically strong, but sometimes naive; and youngest son Little Joe is the most impetuous and romantic of the offspring.

Ben tries to help his paraplegic neighbor Tom by setting up a grain mill on his unused land; Tom's hired hand raises his suspicion about Ben's plan.

Outlaws plot to steal a trunk containing the savings of a religious group heading for a new life in the West.

The Cartwrights' neighbor (Franchot Tone), a former soldier and lawman, seeks security for his daughter.

Bigoted Ike Daggett takes action when Ben gives an Indian and his wife land after the Indian saves his life.