1867

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born on February 7th in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls.

Pepin, Wisconsin pinpointed on a map.
Pepin, Wisconsin

1870

Ingalls family moves to where is now Independence, Kansas.

Red dotted-line from Pepin, Wisconsin to Independence, Kansas.
Pepin, Wisconsin to Independence, Kansas.

1871

Ingalls family moves back to Pepin, Wisconsin.

Family in covered wagon riding into the sunset.
A reimagination of the Ingalls family traveling together in their covered wagon.

1874

Ingalls family moves to Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

Footage of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.
Footage of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

1876

Ingalls family moves to Burr Oak, Iowa.

Map of Laura's Travels.
A map depicting the different mileages of Laura's family's travels.

1878

Ingalls family returns to Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

Sign that reads: Laura's Dugout Home on the Banks of Plum Creek: The Charles Ingalls Family home was located here in the 1870s. This depression is all that remains since the roof caved in years ago. The prairie grasses and flowers here grow as much as they did in Laura's time. And the spring still flows nearby.
A sign that stands where Laura Ingall's family dugout home once existed.

1879

Ingalls family moves west to unsettled country in the Dakota Territory.

Map of the Dakota Territory in 1861.
Map of the Dakota Territory in 1861.

1880

Settlers, including the Ingalls family, came together to build the town of De Smet in the Dakota Territory.

Townspeople coming together to build De Smet.
Townspeople coming together to build De Smet.

1880-1881

The winter during this timespan was known as the "hard winter" and almost wiped out the town of De Smet. This difficult period was notably written about in Laura's book The Long Winter.

Rendition of Laura braiding hay for her family to burn for warmth and fuel.
Rendition of Laura braiding hay for her family to burn for warmth and fuel.

1883

Laura Ingalls begins her first teaching job and is courted by Almanzo Wilder, a local bachelor homesteader.

Video courtesy of PBS

1885

Laura marries Almanzo and becomes Mrs. Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Actual photographs of Laura and Almanzo around this time.
Photographs of Laura Ingalls (left) and Almanzo Wilder (right) around this time.

1885

Laura and Almanzo have their first child, Rose.

Rose Wilder as a small child.
Rose Wilder as a small child.

1889

Laura and Almanzo have their second child, a boy, who passes away 12 days after his birth. He was never named.

Actual headstone for their son that reads: 'Baby Son of A. J. Wilder'.
Headstone for their son that reads: 'Baby Son of A. J. Wilder'.

1894

Wilder family moves to Mansfield, Missouri, and purchases the land that became Rocky Ridge Farm.

Courtesy of Stark Bros Youtube Channel

1931

Laura completes her draft of her memoir, Pioneer Girl.

Revised cover art for Pioneer Girl.
Revised cover art for Pioneer Girl.

1932

Little House in the Big Woods is published.

Revised cover art for Little House in the Big Woods.
Revised cover art for Little House in the Big Woods.

1933

Farmer Boy, about Almanzo Wilder's childhood, is published.

Revised cover art for Farmer Boy.
Revised cover art for Farmer Boy.

1935

Little House on the Prairie is published.

Revised cover art for Little House on the Prairie.
Revised cover art for Little House on the Prairie.

1937

On the Banks of Plum Creek is published.

Revised cover art for On the Banks of Plum Creek.
Revised cover art for On the Banks of Plum Creek.

1939

By the Shores of Silver Lake is published.

Revised cover art for By the Shores of Silver Lake.
Revised cover art for By the Shores of Silver Lake.

1940

The Long Winter is published.

Revised cover art for The Long Winter.
Revised cover art for The Long Winter.

1941

Little Town on the Prairie is published.

Revised cover art for Little Town on the Prairie.
Revised cover art for Little Town on the Prairie.

1943

These Happy Golden Years is published.

Revised cover art for These Happy Golden Years.
Revised cover art for These Happy Golden Years.

1949

Almanzo dies on the Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri.

Picture of Laura and Almanzo in their older age, prior to his death in 1949.
Picture of Laura and Almanzo in their older age, prior to his death in 1949.

1954

The American Library Association created the Laura Ingalls Wilder award for "lasting and significant contributions to children's literature." Laura is the first recipient of this award.

Picture of the Wilder Medal.
Picture of the Wilder Medal.

1957

Laura dies in Mansfield, Missouri, leaving behind her daughter and her legacy.

Video courtesy of PBS