History of Tourism in Branson

Neil Sawford • June 28, 2024

History Of Tourism in Branson

History of Tourism in Branson


In 1960, tourism in Branson began to thrive, prompting the Missouri Pacific to suspend all passenger operations on its White River Line.

With so many people arriving by car, traffic on the twisting U.S. 65 from Springfield to Branson frequently delayed passage. To reduce the 75-mile route between Springfield and Branson to 40 miles, dynamite teams and earth-moving equipment helped create a new road through the limestone hills. Branson has long received an influx of visitors from adjacent Missouri communities since the construction of this new route.

Branson has become a popular tourist destination due to its gorgeous landscape, rich history, outstanding attractions, and exciting activities. The thrilling boat adventure in Branson is one of the newest things many visitors want to enjoy on the water. Check out these crucial Branson historical facts to learn more about the city's tourism history.


Early Beginnings

Tourism in Branson began to take root in the early 20th century. In 1894, Canadian mining expert William Henry Lynch purchased Marvel Cave, a natural wonder discovered by the Osage Indians around 1500 AD. Lynch transformed the cave into a tourist attraction, marking the start of Branson's appeal to visitors. By the 1920s, Marvel Cave drew significant attention, with tourists traveling far and wide to explore its depths.


Literary Influence

Harold Bell Wright moved to the Ozarks in 1898 and settled at the property of John and Anna Ross. Inspired by his lovely life in Branson, Missouri, Wright penned The Shepherd of the Hills, published in 1907 as a tribute to the grandeur of the Ozarks and its people. The novel's publication was a major success, with millions of copies sold.

The publication of "The Shepherd of the Hills" in 1907 significantly boosted tourism in Branson. The novel, which depicted the beauty of the Ozarks and the lives of its people, became a nationwide bestseller.


The story's setting attracted many fans to Branson, eager to see the real-life inspiration behind the book. In 1923, the Ross family's homestead, featured in the novel, was turned into a museum, further cementing Branson's status as a tourist destination.

Tourism to the area increased for over a decade after the book's publication, with many people inquiring about "Old Matt's Cabin," as Wright referred to the Ross Homestead in the novel. Lizzie McDaniel bought the Ross Homestead in 1923 and turned it into a museum. McDaniel was also the first to host the Shepherd of the Hills narrative reenactments on the homestead's lawn.


1959/1960s – Live Music Makes Its Mark in Branson

The Mabe brothers, known as the Baldknobbers, established Branson's reputation as the first city in Missouri to hold live entertainment events in 1959. The group's blend of country tunes and comedy became a great formula for the country music genre in Branson, which is still seen in many popular shows today.

The singing comedians relocated from their previous venue near Lake Taneycomo to their new theater on W. Country Rd.


Silver Dollar City and the Rise of Live Entertainment

Branson's tourism industry took another leap forward in 1960 with the opening of Silver Dollar City. Built around Marvel Cave by the Herschend family, Silver Dollar City featured an 1880s Ozark Mountain Village, complete with craftspeople, themed shops, and live entertainment. The park quickly became Missouri's most popular tourist attraction.

The same year, the Mabe brothers, the Baldknobbers, began performing country music and comedy shows in Branson. Their success established Branson as a live entertainment capital. This reputation continues today, with numerous theaters and performances drawing visitors year-round. Silver Dollar City is a favorite destination after a fantastic boat adventure in Branson.


1980s – More and More Things to Do in Branson

Visitors were drawn to the area by the live music shows in Branson and numerous other outdoor leisure activities. Branson has boosted its entertainment offerings and increased the length of stay for guests for many years.


1984 – Marvel Cave Opens for Tourists

Around 1500 AD, the Osage Indians found Marvel Cave for the first time. In 1541, the Spanish visited the area in search of the Fountain of Youth but were disappointed. St. Louis miners visited the location in 1869, searching for lead ore and marble, but were equally disappointed.

When Canadian mining expert William Henry Lynch learned about the Marvel Cave, he bought it. He relocated to the Ozarks with his two daughters to develop the Ozarks' first tourist attraction. Marvel Cave opened its doors to visitors in 1894 and has operated for nearly 50 years.


In 1950, the Herschend family leased the cave and made significant modifications to give tourists easy access. The Herschend family began the development of Silver Dollar City in 1960 when they erected an 1880s Ozark Mountain Village surrounding the entrance to Marvel Cave.

With so many tourist attractions in Branson, many guests who have had a good vacation in this renowned Midwest vacation location want to extend their stay and enjoy extra activities, such as a thrilling boat adventure in Branson.

By Neil Sawford November 22, 2024
Branson Vacations Perfect For Teens
By Neil Sawford November 15, 2024
First Trip To Branson?
By Neil Sawford November 8, 2024
Thrills & Tranquility in Branson
By Neil Sawford November 1, 2024
Water Power - Branson's Water Adventures
By Neil Sawford October 25, 2024
Bring Your Group to Branson Arranging some thrilling activities and experiences for the group members if you intend to take your group to Branson is a good idea. Look for well-known locations ideal for holding group meetings, and list team-building activities and experiences that can be enjoyed all day. Here is a list of popular Branson attractions to which you should take your party seriously. Runaway Mountain Coaster Every group member can enjoy a one-of-a-kind coaster ride that leverages the topography and natural elevation fluctuations to give an exhilarating journey of a lifetime by taking a thrilling ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. To guarantee a safe journey, individuals are seated in separate carts. The carts are propelled to the top by a chain similar to those used on regular roller coasters, allowing riders to enjoy spectacular views. A unique and exhilarating ride adventure can be enjoyed instantly when carts are unleashed at the top of the mountain and sent rolling down the hill. Branson Jet Boats You and your group can decide to take a water adventure ride on the Branson Jet Boats after an exhilarating ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. You will be able to witness the fabled Ozark woodlands and cliffs, the beautiful waters of Lake Taneycomo, and breathtaking lakefront vistas during a fantastic trip in a jet boat for the entire group. As the jet boat cruises along the lake, you will get to take in the breathtaking vistas and enjoy water splashes as the boat slides over the lake's clear, sapphire-blue waters. Jet boating is a unique lake excursion that combines the adrenaline of speeding down the river with unrivaled lakeside vistas. Branson Scenic Railway Groups can embark on an exhilarating journey with the Branson Scenic Railway train tour, which travels 40 miles round trip to mountain locations only accessible by train. It's about an hour and 45 minutes journey during the excursion. As the train travels, you'll enjoy a quiet moment in the first-class dining car. You'll be given hot cocoa, delicious baked cookies, and a gift of a unique commemorative mug. You can view many incredible sights, including theaters, live entertainment venues, outlet malls, and specialty shops, as the tour moves through downtown and draws to a close. Showboat Branson Belle Your group may rediscover the romance and majesty of those old riverboat days on a lake cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle! The grand paddle wheel boat from the 1890s with 700 seats is the perfect setting for your group gathering or business outing! Three food courses and a lively show include singing, dancing, comedy, and more during the tranquil and beautiful cruising on Table Rock Lake. Titanic Museum In Branson, the Titanic has been faithfully recreated. Your group can forge strong emotional bonds with accident survivors by seeing the Titanic Museum and hearing their testimonies and views. About 400 objects are on display as you walk through the museum. With attractions like walking through the first-class cabins, the bridge, the grand staircase, and even touching an iceberg, the Titanic Museum offers more than just a standard museum visit. Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Show A spectacular performance featuring 32 magnificent horses, ostrich races, stunt riding, and audience participation in a friendly North/South competition will undoubtedly be enjoyed by your company. A four-course dinner featuring a creamy vegetable soup, whole rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked barbecue pork loin, corn on the cob, herb-basted potato wedges, and an apple turnover for dessert will be provided to you as you watch the performance! If you and your group have enjoyed a great time visiting many popular attractions in this part of the world, why not let them experience an adventure ride on a mountain coaster or jet boat in Branson ?
By Neil Sawford October 18, 2024
This History of Branson's Lake Taneycomo Branson is home to three stunning lakes: Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Taneycomo. With its calm waters, the beautiful Lake Taneycomo offers more water recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages, including boating, fishing, swimming, and even scuba diving. This artificial lake in Taney County was created from a segment of the White River. The name of the river comes from the county it is in. Water sports enthusiasts constantly come to Lake Taneycomo for more exhilarating water activities, such as a fantastic adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson. When the White River was obstructed by the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, Missouri, in 1913, Lake Taneycomo was created. From 1913 to 1958, it was a lake with warm water. In the 1920s and 1930s, tourists started to swarm the lake and the nearby towns of Branson and Rockaway Beach. Visitors were drawn to the stunning and crystal-clear waters of Lake Taneycomo for activities like water skiing, boating, fishing, sunning, and swimming. The lakeside communities had restaurants, lodging, and amusement centers, including skee ball and bumper cars. After the Table Rock Dam was built in 1958, Lake Taneycomo's water source changed. The White River's flowing waters transformed Table Rock Lake's bottom tailwater into Lake Taneycomo by pouring from the dam overflow. The deep tailwaters of Table Rock Lake are released via the dam into Lake Taneycomo. The cold water of Lake Taneycomo made swimming and other water activities challenging. Rockaway Beach saw a decline in visitors as Branson and Table Rock Lake saw an increase. Up until 1958, the White River was a lake with warm water. After the Table Rock Dam was built in August 1958, the water for Lake Taneycomo originates from the lake's bottom. The lake's temperature has remained in the mid-50s ever since. As you might anticipate, this change has reduced the number of people swimming near the Rockaway Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo Beach region. Many tourists who planned to swim in the lake instead chose to partake in other activities like an exciting adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson. Put, swimming in a chilly lake was not enticing. Both lake and river characteristics can be seen in Lake Taneycomo. Wading and bank trout fishing is possible in the shallow cooler water near the Table Rock Dam, which has an average temperature of 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) and resembles a river. The average temperature of Lake Taneycomo climbs near the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, and the lake's depth exceeds 50 feet (15 meters). When Table Rock Dam produces electricity, the river's current is quite strong over its whole length, the water cools, and it turns into an intense, swift-moving river. The water's depth, temperature, and speed depend on how many generators are being used to produce energy at Table Rock Dam. Because of the frigid water at Lake Taneycomo, anglers quickly learned that the lake had become a top spot for trout fishing. Whether you want to fly fish or use other techniques, finding a better location to catch trout will take a lot of work. Following the completion of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in 1957, Lake Taneycomo was transformed into one of the most popular locations for year-round trout fishing. At any time of year, finding no fishermen on the lake is unusual. Lake Taneycomo combines the most significant aspects of rivers and lakes, making it the perfect location for boating, sightseeing, fishing, hiking, and other water sports. Although Lake Taneycomo is well-known for its trout fishing, it also offers a range of leisure activities, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing. The restaurants, hotels, shops, and performances in the Branson region are accessible to visitors to Lake Taneycomo. After spending significant time in Branson Landing, travelers who want to extend their aquatic adventure frequently head to the lake. Although tourism at Lake Taneycomo has fallen significantly, fishermen discovered that the lake's cold water made it one of the best trout fishing lakes in the country. In 1957, the Missouri Department of Conservation built the Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery. All types of trout fishing, including fly fishing, artificial bait, and live bait fishing, are permitted year-round at Lake Taneycomo. Visitors who want to see the natural beauty of the lakefront often travel to Lake Taneycomo. Visitors to Lake Taneycomo come to enjoy a meal at a floating restaurant, a stroll along the promenade, or a show at Branson Landing Promenade featuring stunning fountains. People commonly travel to the lake to shop and eat at the numerous excellent restaurants at Branson Landing. Branson Jet Boat from Branson Landing also offers a regular river tour of this lake. Many travels to Lake Taneycomo to escape the hectic city life, find tranquility, and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Lake Taneycomo is known as the most popular tourist destination in the region as it offers many fantastic water activities that every thrill-seeker wants to enjoy, including the newest water adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson.
By Neil Sawford October 11, 2024
Camping Under the Stars: The Top Campsites Near Your Branson Boat Tour
By Neil Sawford October 1, 2024
Branson's Natural Playground: Outdoor Adventures for Every Season
By Neil Sawford September 20, 2024
From Zip Lining to Jetboats: 7 Must Try Outdoor Activities in Branson
By Neil Sawford September 13, 2024
The History Of Tourism in Branson
More Posts
Share by:
Update cookies preferences