Petticoat Junction is one of three interrelated shows about rural characters produced by Paul Henning. The series was created upon the success of Henning's previous rural/urban-themed sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) The success of the series led to a spin-off, Green Acres (1965–1971).
The show centers on the goings-on at the rural Shady Rest Hotel. Widowed Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet) is the proprietress. Her lazy but lovable Uncle Joe Carson (Edgar Buchanan) supposedly helps her in the day-to-day running of the hotel. Early on, much of the show also focuses on the Hooterville Cannonball, an 1890s vintage steam-driven train.