The Story of Branson, Missouri
Today, Branson Missouri is the live music capital of the world and a city brimming with tourism and action. It wasn’t always this way, considering the fact that Branson started out as a small riverside town. From its humble beginning, it grew rapidly over the years to become one of the top family destinations in the country.
How Branson Started
In 1837, Taney County, the county in which Branson is located, was developed. Many years later, in 1882, Reuben Branson built a general store and post office, and the location became known as Branson, Missouri, after the owner.
The year 1884 saw a large migration of settlers to the Ozark area in search of free land and a better life, allowing Branson to become an estate, with each family obtaining 160-acre lots. In 1912, Branson was officially incorporated with 1,200 residents, and businesses began pouring into the city. The Winch Spoke Company and the American Pencil Company were just a few of the companies that set up shop here.
The Birth of Branson Tourism
Throughout the following years, tourism began with the birth of Silver Dollar City and Marvel Cave, founded by William Henry Lynch in 1894. As early as 1904 a tourist city began to take shape, with the creation of a new bank, hotel, stable and resorts. , all of which were formed to accommodate local travelers and workers.
Famed author Harold Bell Wright wrote the book “The Shepherd of the Hills” in 1907, which drew thousands of tourists to the city to experience the Ozark country for themselves. This further stimulated Branson’s tourism and made it a must-see destination. His work is now performed in a theatrical performance several times a week in downtown Branson.
The beginning of the Branson shows
In 1959, an enterprising family began putting on shows in the basement of Branson’s City Hall out of nothing more than folding chairs. The Mabes family entertained visitors with their wit and musical charm, calling themselves “The Baldknobbers”. They toured the area putting on shows on homemade instruments while their wives stood on the roadside holding billboards. Today, they are one of the most popular Branson shows.
Another entertaining family, the Presleys, started their own show along a highway just west of Branson. They erected a small metal building and played every night for anyone who passed by. It was slow going, but they also became one of the most popular local shows in Branson.
Growth and development in Branson from 1950 to the present
In 1963 the Table Rock Dam was completed, creating the area’s first major fishing lake and halting the constant threat of flooding that terrorized the coastal city. In the mid-1970s, a two-lane highway was opened through the area to reduce driving time to reach Branson, and a decade later, the number of shops, shows, and dining options along the newly built highway 76 skyrocketed. A tribute to rapid growth was evidenced by the fact that in 1959, Baldknobbers was the only show in the area, and by 1980 there were 16 entertainment options in Branson.
Major news publications began to see the potential for Branson Missouri beginning in 1991, when it was featured in Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. The hit show 60 Minutes also highlighted the city and began a flow of tourism that fueled the city’s growing tourism market.
After the public media attention, many big-name stars began to see the potential of this thriving seaside city. Ray Stevens, Moe Brandy, Mel Tillis and Andy Williams are just a few of the stars who began bringing their business and attention to Branson.
In recent years, Branson’s tourism industries have continued to grow, with the addition of the massive Branson Landing with its rows of massive outlet stores, fine dining, and entertainment options. Championship golf courses have shaped vacation tourist destinations, and a new convention center has attracted large corporations seeking convenient meeting facilities. In 2009, construction broke ground on the new Branson Airport, which is sure to bring even more traffic to this thriving city.
Starting out as a humble riverside town, Branson Missouri has grown into an exciting city filled with entertainment and activities. With over 100 live shows, 12 golf courses, and three great fishing lakes, it’s easy to see why Branson is now considered a top vacation destination.