Timeline Description: Laura Ingalls Wilder (born February 7, 1867) recorded her pioneer childhood in a series of novels, today referred to as the Little House books. These were adapted into a television series, Little House on the Prairie.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 7, 1867 | Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Was Born Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 to Charles Ingalls and Caroline Quincy Ingalls. She was their second child; they already had a daughter, Mary. |
| September 1869 | Family Moved to Kansas In September 1869, the family moved west to Kansas from Wisconsin. The family home in Wisconsin is familiar to readers as the Little House in the Big Woods. |
| August 3, 1870 | Caroline Ingalls Born Caroline Celestia Ingalls was born on August 3, 1870 in Kansas. She was the family's third daughter. |
| 1871 | Family Returned to Wisconsin The family returned to Wisconsin in 1861; however, the wheat crops failed for several years, causing hardship. |
| February 1874 | Moved to Walnut Grove, Minnesota In February 1874, the family moved to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, spending their first year living in a dugout, as recorded in On the Banks of Plum Creek. |
| November 1, 1875 | Charles Frederic Ingalls Born In November 1875, Caroline gave birth to a baby boy. The child died only nine months later on August 27, 1876 |
| 1876 | Family in Burr Oak, Iowa The family moved again, this time to Burr Oak, Iowa. They briefly managed a hotel in town. |
| May 23, 1877 | Grace Pearl Ingalls Born Grace Pearl Ingalls was born in Burr Oak, Iowa, before the family returned to Walnut Grove, Minnesota in the late summer or early fall of 1877. |
| 1879 | Mary Loses Sight(Winter 1879) In the winter of 1879, Mary Ingalls became quite ill and lost her sight. In reviewing her case, modern physicians believe that she contracted viral meningoencephalitis. |
| 1880 | Moved to Dakota Territory In 1880, the family moved to the Dakota Territory. Charles Ingalls worked on the railroads, and the family settled in modern De Smet, South Dakota. |
| December 10, 1883 | Laura Became a Teacher In December 1883, Laura completed her schooling and became a teacher. Around the same time, Almanzo Wilder whose family had settled in the region, began courting her. |
| August 25, 1885 | Laura Married Almanzo Wilder Laura and Almanzo married on August 25, 1885. These years are recorded in the Happy Golden Years. |
| December 1886 | Rose Wilder Was Born Laura's daughter Rose, named for the wild roses on the prairie, was born in December 1886. She would be the couple's only living child. |
| July 17, 1894 | Laura and Almanzo Left for Missouri After the death of their infant son, Laura and Almanzo left De Smet, South Dakota to move to Missouri. |
| September 1894 | Purchased Farm in Mansfield, Missouri The couple purchased a large farm in Mansfield, Missouri in September 1894. The farm is preserved today as the Laura Ingalls Wilder home. |
| February 18, 1911 | Laura Began Writing Laura began writing for periodicals aimed at rural women in February 1911. She continued to publish a number of short pieces, including poetry for children, until 1930. |
| 1930 | The Little House Books Were Written(1930 to 1940) Laura wrote the Little House books between 1930 and 1940, starting with Pioneer Girl. Pioneer Girl eventually was edited to produce Little House in the Big Woods. |
| October 33, 1949 | Almanzo Wilder Died Almanzo Wilder died on October 33, 1949 at 92 years old. |
| February 10, 1957 | Laura Ingalls Wilder Died On February 10, 1957, Laura Ingalls Wilder died at home in Mansfield, Missouri. |