
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.

Two British socialites find that they still have a lot to learn when they visit their friends, the Cartwrights.

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.

Shortly after the Ponderosa cattle herd arrives in San Francisco at the hands of Hoss, Joe and Ben, two of their trail drivers are shanghaied and destined for Hong Kong.