8.5/10685 votes#1 - A Harvest of Friends
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/11/1974
The Ingalls settle on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. To get the farm set up, Charles must take on several jobs at once. He promises one person that if he didn't get the job done in the specified time, the person could have his oxen.
Director: Michael Landon
Writer: N/A
8.6/10582 votes#2 - Country Girls
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/18/1974
Laura and Mary start school for the first time. That is where they meet Nellie Oleson. Since Laura hasn't been to school before, she tries especially hard with her schoolwork. The students have to write an essay to present in front of the class. Laura recites what she would have written on the paper if she could have, instead of what was actually written on it.
Director: N/A
Writer: Juanita Bartlett
8.3/10550 votes#3 - 100 Mile Walk
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 9/25/1974
In the beginning, things look very good for the Ingalls until a bad hailstorm ruins their crops. Charles and some other farmers must leave to look for work. They end up working in a quarry. While Charles is away, Caroline is able to get the women of Walnut Grove to join together to harvest the remaining crops.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/10495 votes#4 - Mr. Edwards' Homecoming
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/2/1974
While Charles is in Mankato, he runs into Mr. Edwards and invites him to come to Walnut Grove. Caroline tries to match Mr. Edwards up with Grace Snider, but instead she just ends up in the way since Mr. Edwards is able to charm Grace all by himself. Although there are a couple problems that must be overcome, things turn out for the best in the end.
Director: Michael Landon
Writer: Joel Murcott
7.1/10461 votes#5 - The Love of Johnny Johnson
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/9/1974
Laura falls in love with a new student, Johnny Johnson. Johnny, who is a lot older than Laura, is interested in Mary instead. Although Mary is not interested in Johnny, Laura's actions cause tension between the sisters. When Charles finds this out, he is appalled that either of his girls is involved with Johnny.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10488 votes#6 - If I Should Wake Before I Die
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/1974
After her friend dies, Miss Amy, an old lady, convinces the Ingalls and Doc Baker to help her stage her own death. Amy thought this was the only way to get her family to come and see her.
Director: Victor French
Writer: N/A
8.5/10514 votes#7 - Town Party, Country Party
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/1974
Laura connects with a sweet, shy classmate named Olga Nordstrom, who happens to have been born with a short leg. Charles has an idea that can change Olga’s entire life, but the challenge will be convincing the child’s stubborn widowed father.
Director: Alf Kjellin
Writer: N/A
8.0/10431 votes#8 - Ma's Holiday
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/6/1974
Charles and Caroline decide to go on a second honeymoon and leave Mr. Edwards in charge of the children. The honeymoon doesn't turn out very well because Caroline keeps worrying about the children. Back at home, Mr. Edwards has his hands full with Carrie.
Director: Leo Penn
Writer: Dale Eunson
8.4/10457 votes#9 - School Mom
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/13/1974
After Ms. Beadle sprains her ankle, Caroline becomes the substitute teacher. Caroline takes a special interest in helping an older student, Abel, learn to read. One day Mrs. Oleson shows up and causes Abel to quit school. Because of this Caroline quits, but returns after she convinces Abel to give school another chance.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/10437 votes#10 - The Raccoon
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/20/1974
Charles allows Laura to adopt a baby raccoon, Jasper. After being caged, the raccoon bites Laura and Jack and runs away. The family fears that Laura and Jack might have rabies until a healthy Jasper returns.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/10441 votes#11 - The Voice of Tinker Jones
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/4/1974
The town becomes divided when Mrs. Oleson offers to buy a bell for the church, but only if she can put up a plaque. The differences and arguing begin to affect the school children. A mute craftsman, Tinker Jones, steps in and with the help of the school children, is able to make a bell.
Director: Leo Penn
Writer: N/A
8.2/10415 votes#12 - The Award
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/11/1974
While studying for an optional history exam in the barn, Mary accidentally knocks over a reading lamp and starts a fire. Caroline punishes Mary by telling her she couldn't take the exam. Mary doesn't tell Ms. Beadle this until the day of the exam.
Director: N/A
Writer: Michael Landon
8.4/10482 votes#13 - The Lord is My Shepherd (1)
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 12/18/1974
Caroline becomes pregnant. Shortly after the baby is born, he becomes ill.
Director: Michael Landon
Writer: Michael Landon
8.5/10517 votes#14 - The Lord is My Shepherd (2)
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 12/18/1974
Believing that her jealousy was responsible for her infant brother's death and that her parents would rather have a son than a spare daughter, Laura climbs the highest hill she can find, hoping to get as close to God as possible to ask Him to take her instead and return the baby boy to the family. While Charles and Mr. Edwards desperately search for her, Laura meets Jonathan, a mystical mountain man who seems to have been sent purposely to guide her through this life-changing experience.
Director: Michael Landon
Writer: N/A
8.5/10477 votes#15 - Christmas At Plum Creek
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 12/25/1974
The Christmas holiday is approaching and the members of the Ingalls family go about their holiday shopping in secrecy. Laura is able to buy her mom a stove that she wanted after she sells her horse to Mr. Oleson.
Director: N/A
Writer: Arthur Heinemann
7.9/10380 votes#16 - Family Quarrel
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/15/1975
After a major disagreement, Nels and Harriet go their separate ways. Many people in town try to get the two back together.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10420 votes#17 - Doctor's Lady
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 1/22/1975
Dr. Baker and Harriet's niece, Kate, fall in love with each other. Then their age difference becomes an issue.
Director: Lewis Allen
Writer: Arthur Heinemann
8.5/10433 votes#18 - Plague
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 1/29/1975
Several people in Walnut Grove get very sick. A quarantine is set up in the church while the source of the illness is being sought.
Director: N/A
Writer: Michael Landon
7.3/10382 votes#19 - Circus Man
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/5/1975
A traveling circusman, O'Hara, comes to Walnut Grove and tries to get everyone to believe he has magic healing powders. However, he is really found out when Mrs. Oleson almost loses her life when she tries his healing powders instead of having an operation.
Director: Victor French, Michael Landon
Writer: N/A
8.2/10408 votes#20 - Child of Pain
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 2/12/1975
When it is found out that a young boy, Graham, is being beaten by his alcoholic father, John, Caroline takes care of the boy while Charles stays with John to try to get him to stay sober.
Director: Victor French
Writer: John Meston
7.9/10370 votes#21 - Money Crop
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 2/19/1975
A college-educated farmer named Joe moves to Walnut Grove with his pregnant wife. He tells the Walnut Grove-area farmers of a new hybrid of corn that would produce good crops, to which the farmers are very enthused. They decide to buy some of this new seed. While on the way back to Walnut Grove with the seed, Joe gets into an accident, as the farmers wait for his return.
Director: Leo Penn
Writer: John Meston
8.2/10420 votes#22 - Survival
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 2/26/1975
The Ingallses have to seek shelter when a blizzard hits. There they meet an Indian who helps them out. A marshall, looking for the Indian, comes by...
Director: William F. Claxton
Writer: N/A
6.9/10367 votes#23 - To See The World
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/5/1975
Johnny Johnson leaves to ""see the world"" and Mr. Edwards goes along with him to keep him out of trouble. Johnny meets up with a girl who is able to trick him out of a lot of money. Mr. Edwards talks to this girl to try to have her convince Johnny to go back home.
Director: Michael Landon
Writer: N/A
8.0/10383 votes#24 - Founder's Day
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 5/7/1975
Walnut Grove celebrates this great day with several different competitions. There are very competitive spirits between the Olesons and the Ingallses.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Little House on the Prairie Season 1
Every episode of Little House on the Prairie Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Little House on the Prairie Season 1!
Little House on the Prairie is an American Western drama television series, starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, and Karen Grassle, about a family living on...
Genres:WesternDramaFamily
Network:NBC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"A Harvest of Friends" is the best rated episode of "Little House on the Prairie" season 1. It scored 8.5/10 based on 685 votes. Directed by Michael Landon and written by N/A, it aired on 9/11/1974. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Country Girls".