1959 / 1960s – Live Music Makes Its Mark in Bransonīranson’s reputation as the place for live entertainment was birthed in 1959 by the Mabe brothers, who called themselves the Baldknobbers. However, over the last decade, Rockaway has reinvented itself as a quaint lakeside community with some of the best trout fishing in America just steps away. With its lake no longer comfortable for swimming, Rockaway lost its wide appeal as a tourist destination. Rockaway Beach flourished for many years until the construction of Table Rock Dam in 1959, which created Table Rock Lake (now nationally known for its bass fishing) but also turned the warm waters of Lake Taneycomo much cooler. Local legend says that Al Capone, the famous Chicago gangster, vacationed in the resort community but also had a hideout nearby! Soon Rockaway Beach become one of the premier tourist destinations in Missouri, including visits from movie stars and U.S. Many of these new tourists arrived via the White River Line Railway depot in nearby Hollister, Missouri, and then took a boat down Lake Taneycomo to Rockaway Beach. The number of permanent residents began to grow, followed by an influx of tourists eager to enjoy boating, fishing and swimming in the warm lake. The Ozark Beach Dam near Forsyth was built in 1913, producing Lake Taneycomo, which encouraged the growth of the resort community, Rockaway Beach. 1910s – Rockaway Beach Becomes a Vacation Hot Spot McDaniel was also the first to host reenactments of the story of Shepherd of the Hills on the lawn of the homestead. Other businesses capitalized on the success of the novel, opening businesses named after characters in the book, such as The Sammy Lane Resort.Īround 1923 Lizzie McDaniel bought the Ross homestead and opened it as a museum. Tourism to the area spiked for over 10 years after the book’s publication, with many visitors inquiring about where to find “Old Matt’s Cabin,” which is what Wright called the Ross homestead in the novel. The book’s success was immediate, with millions of copies sold. So impacted by his new home, Wright wrote and published his novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, in 1907 as a tribute to the beauty and people of the Ozarks. In 1898 minister Harold Bell Wright relocated to the Ozarks from Kansas and settled in at the homestead of John and Anna Ross. By 1960 the Herschend family had built an 1880s Ozark Mountain Village around the entrance to Marvel Cave, the beginnings of Silver Dollar City (more about that later!).ġ907 – Shepherd of the Hills Puts the Ozarks on the Map In 1950 the cave was leased by the Herschend family who made vast improvements to the accessibility of the cave for tourists. Marvel Cave opened to visitors in 1894 and operated for over 50 years. Louis miners looking for lead ore, and then marble (but they didn’t find them either!).Ĭanadian mining expert William Henry Lynch heard about Marvel Cave, purchased it and moved to the Ozarks with his two daughters to open what would become the first Ozarks tourist attraction. In 1541, it was explored by the Spanish, who were looking for the fountain of youth (but they didn’t find it!), and in 1869 by St. Marvel Cave was first discovered around 1500 AD by the Osage Indians. This brief history of tourism in Branson will reveal the town’s ability to both preserve its roots and continually adapt to the future, ensuring that tourism in Ozark Mountain Country will be alive and well for years to come. Over the years, Branson and the surrounding communities have continued to evolve, offering more and more entertainment and recreational opportunities that allow visitors to experience beautiful Ozark Mountain Country in a fresh, new way every time they visit. The beautiful landscape, outdoor activities and hospitality of the region are what initially enticed people to visit the Branson area. Tourists have been flocking to Ozark Mountain Country for well over a century.
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