|
Branson Missouri History
Branson, Missouri is known today as the
"live music capital of the world" but it has a rich
history dating back to its first days in the 1800's. Starting
with a small store at a riverboat stop, the city now boasts over
40 theaters with 60,000 theater seats, over 70 live theater shows,
over 200 lodging facilities with over 23,000 lodging rooms, 5,000
camping spaces, over 350 restaurants, three lakes, 9 golf courses,
over 200 retail outlets, numerous attractions, caves to explore
and year round activities and entertainment.
Here is a brief time capsule of Branson's
history.
1837: Taney County was established with
Forsyth, a popular and important river town, named as county seat.
1882: Rueben Branson opened a general store
which became the post office and was listed as Branson, Missouri
- obviously named after Rueben. During the 1880's & 90's one
of the largest industries in the area was tomato canning.
1884: Settlers began to move to the Ozarks
for the promise of free land and the area was homesteaded on 160
acre lots.
1894: William Henry Lynch bought a cave
6 miles outside of Branson. Later, the Marvel Cave would become
a tourist attraction in the heart of Silver Dollar City.
1903: The men who founded Branson were
planning an industrial center that would generate trainload after
trainload of logs, lumber, and manufactured products for the world
outside the Ozarks.
1904: A new bank, livery stable and hotel,
and resorts began to spring up to accommodate travelers and fisherman.
1907: "The Shepherd of the Hills,"
a book written by Harold Bell Wright about this area of the Ozarks,
was published and became a nationwide best seller. Overnight,
tourists from across the country began coming to "Shepherd
of the Hills Country" and tourism was born.
1912: This was a banner year for Branson
with incorporation on April 1 with 1200 residents, and the idea
of Branson as a resort began to take root. Major industry came
to Branson in the form of The Winch Spoke Company, which built
spokes and wagon parts, and American Pencil Company of New York
established a logging factory in Branson. The business section
of Branson burned in August of 1912 and was rebuilt. The Powersite
Dam at Ozark Beach created Lake Taneycomo with its construction
in 1912 and 1913.
1914: The women of Branson, many of whom
were employed or helped operate family businesses, organized a
Civic League. They began a decades long effort to beautify the
streets, establish parks, and make life better in their community.
This included a well-equipped municipal bathing beach and picnic
grounds on Lake Taneycomo.
Post World War II: Many artists, craftsmen
and retirees came to the area, along with returning servicemen
and war industry workers. Branson proved to be the perfect spot
for a growing hand-craft community.
1949: Hugo and Mary Herschend bought the
Marvel Cave from Mr. Lynch's daughters and began square dances
in the cave. Artist Steve Miller and businessman Joe Todd, with
the help of local carpenters, created and constructed a huge lighted
Adoration Scene on the bluff of Mount Branson overlooking the
downtown and Lake Taneycomo. The crèche's figures, up to
28 feet tall, were lighted on the first day of December in front
of thousands of awe-struck visitors, beginning a Branson tradition.
1953: With more people coming for the lighting
of the Adoration Scene each year, the Chamber of Commerce included
with the lighting of the scene the Adoration Parade, adding to
the long history of other Branson parades. Today it draws crowds
as large as 30,000 people.
1959: The first show in Branson, The Baldknobbers
Hillbilly Jamboree Show, opened, taking the name of their show
from a vigilante group of the Civil War Era which roamed the area
making their own justice.
1960: "Shepherd of the Hills"
opened its Old Mill Theater and Silver Dollar City opened its
doors for the first time as a theme park. The Presley Family began
a music show in the Underground Theatre, now known as Talking
Rocks Cavern near Branson West. Just as tourism began to increase
rapidly in the area, the Missouri Pacific canceled its service
on the White River Line. With so many visitors now arriving by
automobile travel often slowed to a crawl on the 75 mile winding
route between Springfield and Branson. So, dynamite crews and
massive earth moving equipment blasted a new road through our
limestone hills, shortening the route to 40 miles.
1963: Table Rock Dam was completed and
the area's largest man-made lake, Table Rock Lake, was formed.
1964: The Baldknobbers music show moves
into a downtown Branson theater.
1967: The Presley family opened the first
theater on "the Strip," Hwy. 76.
1968: The Baldknobbers moved to a theater
on Hwy. 76. The movement to Hwy. 76 had begun and the first two
shows were followed closely by the Plummer Family Music Show on
West Hwy. 76.
1974: The Foggy River Boys, who had been
performing since 1971 at a theater in Kimberling City, moved to
Hwy. 76. Mutton Hollow Entertainment Park opens. A four lane by-pass
was completed in the mid-1970's routing traffic away from Branson's
congested downtown district, creating interchanges at Hwy. 76
and Hwy. 248, and a new bridge across Lake Taneycomo. At that
time, businesses were just beginning to develop along W. Hwy.
76 with only a few scattered shops and music shows. Today the
number of theaters top 40 and there are over 70 live theater shows.
1981: The Wilkerson Brothers Theater, Hee
Haw Theater and Starlite Theater are completed.
1983: While tourism remained steady throughout
the 1970's and 1980's, 1983 marked the start of a tremendous boom.
The Swiss Villa with 7,500 seats opens. The Lowe Family moves
to "The Strip." The Roy Clark Celebrity Theater, The
Thunderbird Theater, and the Echo Hollow Amphitheater at Silver
Dollar City open.
1984: The Braschlers Music Show opens in
the old Lowe's Theater. Musicland USA opens with the Lester Family
and The Sons of the Pioneers opens at Lowe's theater
1985: The Braschlers Music Show moves to
Musicland USA, The Hee Haw Theater becomes Country Music World
and the Sons of the Pioneers join the Foggy River Boys.
1986: The Texans join Bob Mabe and open
the Texans/Bob-O-Links Music Show. The Ozark Mountain Amphitheater
opens with 8,500 seats.
1987: "Box Car Willie" becomes
the first celebrity entertainer to perform on a permanent schedule
in his own theater. Campbell's Ozark Country Jubilee and the 76
Music Hall open their doors.
1988: The first Ozark Mountain Christmas
is held and The Factory Merchants Mall opens.
1989: Inspiration Tower opens at Shepherd
of the Hills. Shoji Tabuchi opens a music show. Christy Lane buys
the Starlite Theater and Danny Davis & the Nashville Brass
perform at Country Music World.
1990: Shoji Tabuchi moves to Shepherd of
the Hills Expressway. Mel Tillis moves to Branson and starts a
music show. Mickey Gilley starts a new theater.
1991: National news organizations "discover"
Branson. In August of 1991 "Time" magazine published
a story about their "discovery" of Branson and the interest
by that media giant was followed closely by coverage in "People,"
"The Los Angeles Times" and the "Wall Street Journal."
"60 Minutes" put the television spotlight on this small
town in the Ozarks that had more theater seats than Broadway and
a host of impressive names headlining its then 22 theaters.
1991: Shepherd of the Hills and Ray Stevens
start the Ray Stevens Theater. Moe Bandy opens the American Theater
and Buck Trent opens a dinner theater.
1992: Mel Tillis and Andy Williams each
open their own theaters. Willie Nelson plays at the Ozark Theater
and Jim Stafford starts performing at Stars of the Ozark Theater.
Kenny Rogers and Silver Dollar City start the Grand Palace. The
Osmonds and Jennifer Wilson come to town.
1993: Pump Boys and Dinettes, John Davidson,
Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton, Five Star Theater, Yakov Smirnoff,
IMAX, Branson Scenic Railways and Wayne Newton all start shows
and open venues in Branson.
1994: The Polynesian Princess sets sail
on Table Rock Lake. Charley Pride, The Welk Resort & Champagne
Theater, $25,000 Game Show, Will Rogers Follies, Radio City Rockettes
and Country Tonite all open shows.
1995: The Dixie Stampede and The Showboat
Branson Belle open their new dinner theaters.
1997: Shepherd of the Hills becomes America's
most performed outdoor drama with it 5,000th show.
1999: Grand Palace opened its doors to
feature a host of legendary stars appearing for select dates.
The Oak Ridge Boys, Tony Bennett, Charlie Pride, LeeAnn Rymes
and more.
Every year holds new surprises
for the residents and guests of Branson, as familiar faces thrill
and entertain our audiences while talented new ones continue to
join the ranks of Branson veterans. The changing seasons bring
a panorama of the mountains, valleys, and lakes of our beautiful
Ozarks. The scenic beauty of the lakes, fabulous fishing and water
sports keep the outdoor enthusiasts busy. The list of challenging
world-class golf courses continue to grow along with the number
of outlet stores (somewhere over 200) and other one-of-a-kind
shops. Daily life in Branson is history in the making
Branson
Real Estate, Homes, Condominiums,
Lots, Land,
and Complete Branson Missouri Area Information.
Branson
Missouri's Best Information
All Around Real Estate Referral and Relocation Services.
My Goal is to help you locate the Property that you are looking
for by Assisting Personally
or by Referring You to another Knowledgeable Area Agent or Agency
that Can
Better Serve You " The Customer "
Greg
Hensley-Broker
Complete
the
Branson Real
Estate Locator
so I can best assist You.
Locate
Your Branson Dream
Homes, Commercial, Rental & Leasing
Properties
or Condominiums, Lake & Golf Frontage/Courses,Lots
With the
Branson
Real Estate Locator
Click Here
The
Best Branson
Missouri Vacations Area Sites
Branson Missouri Music Shows Hotels Motels
Complete Branson Reservation Services
Branson Missouri Vacation Rentals Golf Lake
Cabins Condos Hotels Motels Villas
Branson Missouri Golf And Lake Vacation
Super Packages And Ticket Specials
Branson Missouri Real Estate Sites + Multiple
Branson Area Vacation Search Links Below
Branson Missouri's Site For Vacation Packages
Reserve
Your
Branson
Missouri Music Shows +
Book Vacations To Remember With Us Here
Attractions, Music Shows, Cabins, Condos, Hotels.
Branson Missouri
Vacation Packages Information
Branson Music Show Tickets Attractions Lodging
Golf Lake Cabins Condos Hotels Motels Vacations
Best Branson Missouri Reservation Services Sites
***Click
Here***
**************************************
We
are looking forward to assisting you with all
your Branson, Missouri Tri-Lakes area Lodging,
Motels, Cabins, Condos,Vacation Specials,
Branson Golf Lake Vacation Packages.
Try
Any Or All Of The Following Links
For All Your Branson Vacation Needs.
Complete
Branson Missouri Vacation Information:
Click
Any Or All The Following Links
For Money Saving Vacation Specials
Branson
Vacation Package Click Here
Branson
Vacation Packages Click Here
Branson Rental Package Click Here
Branson
Rental Packages Click Here
Branson Golf Info Search Click Here
Branson
Condo Info Search Click Here
Branson
Condo Rental Search Click Here
Branson
Nightly Rental Info Click Here
Branson
USA Condos Search Click Here
Branson
USA Rentals Search Click Here
Branson
USA Vacations Search Click Here
Branson
USA Vacation Search Click Here
Branson
USA Travel Search Click Here
Branson
USA Lodging Search Click Here
Branson
USA Hotels Search Click Here
StoneBridge
Golf Cabins And Condos
Branson
Missouri StoneBridge Golf Resort Sites
Branson A M Click Here
Branson
C B Click Here
For
Branson Missouri Cabin Searches
Rentals and Sales Please Click On
The Special Following Links
Branson
Cabin Search Click Here
Branson
Golf Cabins Click Here
Branson
Lake Cabins Click Here
**Branson
Missouri Real Estate Information**
Click
on the Following Links for Information,
Cabins, Condos, Golf, Land, Lots, Lake Rentals,
Lake Homes, Vacation
Homes, Villas,
**Branson
Missouri Informational Links**
**Branson
Real Estate Information**
Branson
Real Estate Vacation Golf Lake Homes
Click Here
Vacation
Promotions at Branson Area Real Estate
Click Here
Branson
Real Estate Golf Lake Vacation Condos
Click Here
Specials
In Branson Real Estate Cabins Vacations
Click Here
Branson
Real Estate Golf
Resorts Vacation Homes
Click Here
Branson
Area Real Estate Golf Lake Townhouses
Click Here
Promotions
in Branson Area Real Estate Resorts
Click Here
Branson
Area Real Estate for Condo Golf Specials
Click Here
Top
Branson Missouri Real Estate Land Lots Search
Click Here
Branson Lakes Realty Lake Cabins Condos Homes
Click Here
Branson
MO Tablerock Lake Golf Cabins Homes
Click Here
Search
For Tablerock Lake Land Lots With Views
Click Here
Search
Branson MO Tablerock Lake Real Estate
Click Here
Tour
Various Branson Real Estate Golf Lakes Resorts
Click Here
Reserve
Branson Missouri
Book
Secure Online Reservations
Show Tickets~Cabins~Condos
Hotels~Motels~Lodging
Click
Here
Home
|
