Ponderosa Ranch According to the Andersons, tourists would regularly show up at their gates asking where the Ponderosa was. Smelling opportunity, the Andersons contacted NBC and "Bonanza" creator-producer David Dortort. They proposed turning their small ranch into a theme park. NBC, Dortort, and the cast saw the tie-in as a "bonanza" for everyone. All parties being of one accord, the cast agreed to promos being shot at the ranch site and the Virginia City set - including the nearby Silver Dollar Saloon - for financial consideration. The ads stimulated revenue for the park. The park opened to the public in 1968, complete
Flying S Ranch Airport Flying S Ranch Airport Flying S Ranch Airport is a private airport located approximately northeast of Caliente, California. During World War II it was a United States Army Airfield, known as Caliente Flight Strip. It was one of the many Flight Strips which were built by the USAAF during the war for the emergency use of military aircraft. The Caliente Flight Strip was listed on a table of Second Air Force Flight Strips which indicated that construction of the strip was completed in 1943. The strip was described as consisting of a 6,400' paved runway, adjacent to the south side