Ponderosa Ranch "Bonanza" episodes were shot at the theme park's Virginia City site, although the town was prominently featured in three "Bonanza" television movies. Because the movies showcased the next generation of Cartwrights, they began circa 1905. The Ponderosa park expanded beyond the buggy era to include an exhibit featuring antique cars. It was a fledgling endeavor as tourists wanted to see horses flanked by Cartwright saddles. The idea for the theme park came about in 1965. Bill and Joyce Anderson owned a small horse ranch, which is located in about the same area as the fictional Ponderosa on the burning map.
Bonus Bonanza Bonus Bonanza Bonus Bonanza was the official state lottery game show of Massachusetts, running from 1995 to 1998. It was hosted by Brian Tracey and Dawn Hayes. The show was produced at WCVB-TV by Mark Goodson Production later Jonathan Goodson Productions, and all of its games and its theme were virtually identical to the Illinois state lottery game show "Illinois Instant Riches" (later "Illinois Luckiest"). All audience members wore name tags (a la "The Price Is Right") but only those that earned their way on to the show by means of a Massachusetts lottery ticket were chosen to be in