The History of Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is now ranked #1 in The Best ValueMany well-known people traveled through the area of
for the Money Spent by Destinations Magazine and #3Branson, Missouri throughout the years. Jesse James
with The Most to Offer Groups by the sameand his brother Frank roamed this land, and were
magazine. Though over 8.4 million people a year nowheroes that are still celebrated today. Harold Bell
visit Branson, Missouri, it had very humble beginnings.Wright's novel Shepherd of the Hills, written in 1907,
Rootswas the first to throw Branson into the tourist limelight.
In 1882, a man named Reuben Branson opened aThe first five episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies were
general store in the area. Reuben was raised as aset in the Branson area, and were inspired by creator
farm boy, and was only able to get a home-basedPaul Henning's trip to the Ozarks as a boy. And the
education. However, he later received formalPresley family was the first to take their tour to
education at his own expense later in his life. ThisBranson in 1967.
allowed him to be a teacher in Osage County, whereThe Attractions
he met and married his wife Mary T. Cooper. TheyTourism skyrocketed in the early 1980's with the
moved to Taney County in 1882 and he opened hisopening of several theaters and concert venues,
general store. This store eventually became the postespecially the 7,500 seat Swiss Villa Amphitheater in
office, and the area was named Branson, after thenearby Lampe, Missouri. Silver Dollar City has also
owner and post master.  Though he later sold hisalways been a popular site. Though it started as just a
store to William Hawkings, he became the Taneycave to visit and hold square dances, in the 1960's
County Assessor.electricity and cement staircases were added to
Growthcreate what is now a recreated frontier-town theme
Though Branson is a relatively new city compared topark.
cities back east, it has grown very quickly. MarvelNowadays
Cave, now a part of the Silver Dollar City amusementBranson, Missouri has over 50 live performance
park, was bought in 1894 and has long served as atheaters with more than 59,000 seats—more seats
tourist attraction. In 1904, when a bank, hotel and liverythan Broadway and Las Vegas combined. It is known
were built, resorts started to appear, catering toas the "Live Music Capital of the World" for a reason! It
fisherman and travelers. Already, it was starting to bealso offers mountain lake frescos, over 200 shops,
a resort town. However, the town wasn't officiallyand an amusement park in Silver Dollar City. Lake
incorporated until April 1st, 1912, with 1,200 people thenTaneycomo is annually stoked with three-quarters of a
residing in the town.million rainbow trout each year, making it an ideal
The Peoplelocation for fishing aficionados as well.