The Virginian, loosely based on the Owen Wister novel and set in the 1890's, revolved around a foreman, played by James Drury, who went by the name The Virginian; his real name was never revealed in the nine years the show was on the air. The series took place in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and revolved around The Virginian's quest to maintain an orderly lifestyle for the ranch he worked on, which was called Shiloh Ranch. Other key characters included Trampas (played by Doug McClure) and Steve Hill (played by Gary Clarke). The main horse on the show was named Joe D.

The ranch had four owners throughout its run: Judge Garth (played by Lee J. Cobb), the Grainger brothers (played by Charles Bickford and John McIntire) and Colonel Alan McKenzie (played by Stewart Granger; the Graingers were replaced by a Granger who didn't play a Grainger). The theme song was titled "Lonesome Tree" and was written by Percy Faith and conducted by Revue musical director, Stanley Wilson.

The Men From Shiloh (24 full color episodes), is actually the last and final season of The Virginian, a sort of sequel to the long-running hit TV western featuring James Drury and Doug McClure. The show is now set in the 1890's, 10 years after the last/previous season of The Virginian, and it continues to tell the adventures of The Virginian, and his friend Trampas, in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. However, the Shiloh range, a staple feature of the series, has now been brought by Englishman Colonel Alan Mackenzie [Stewart Granger] and added to the show's cast is ranch hand Roy Tate, portrayed by a post-Big Valley Lee Majors.