Robert Ayres - Created "Bonanza" Map`

Robert Ayres designed the map of the Ponderosa Ranch that appeared in the opening credits for "Bonanza which had a 13 year run on NBC starting in 1959. The map was shown for seconds and then burst into flames revealing the "Cartwrights" played by Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon. The show followed the lives of Ben Cartwright and his sons on their Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada in the late 1800's.

Illustrators made copies of it to before filming the burning scene. The original map was in the home of the show's creator and producer for 50 years. After David Dotort died in 2010, his family donated the map to the Autry Center of the American West.

Ironically, Mr Ayres visited the Center three days before his death on February 25, 2012. He was 98 and lived in Cherry valley, CA.

He spent his career as an illustrator, landing a gig at MGM where he did illustrations for "Ben Hur" and other movies. He also did drawings for set builders, using their blue prints.

When he saw the map before his death, he remarked that he had not seen it in over 50 years.