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1960
- In 1960, two families opened businesses that became popular family-oriented attractions in the Branson/Lakes Area.
In 1960, two families opened businesses that became popular family-oriented attractions in the Branson/Lakes Area. Hugo and Mary Herschend opened a small old-time Ozarks village attraction atop the long-popular Marvel Cave, about 10 miles west of Branson on Highway 76.
- Baldknobbers
Don’t miss the show that started it all....Branson’s Famous...
- Andy Williams
View Branson show schedules, photos, video, and more! Call...
- White Water
Explore your own piece of paradise tucked into the Ozark...
- Branson Scenic Railway
Branson Scenic Railway offers a special gift for women in...
- Silver Dollar City
Complete information for Silver Dollar City in Branson. Find...
- Duttons
The Duttons put the ‘entertainment’ in family-friendly,...
- Haygoods
It’s “The Haygoods” and it’s an amazing Branson experience!...
- Limited Time Offers
Limited Time Offers - Branson: A history of great...
- Baldknobbers
- 1894 - Marvel Cave Opens to Tourists
- 1907 – Shepherd of The Hills Puts The Ozarks on The Map
- 1910s – Rockaway Beach Becomes A Vacation Hot Spot
- 1959 / 1960s – Live Music Makes Its Mark in Branson
- 1980s – More to Do, More to See
- 1990s – The “60 Minutes” Boom Boosts Branson Nationally
- 2000s – New visitors Discover Branson
- Today – Ensuring A Bright Future
Marvel Cave was first discovered around 1500 AD by the Osage Indians. 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. Louis miners looking for lead ore, and then marble (but they didn’t find them either!). Canadian mining expert William Henry Lynch heard about Marvel...
In 1898 minister Harold Bell Wright relocated to the Ozarks from Kansas and settled in at the farm of John and Anna Ross. 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. The book’s success was immediate, with millions of copies sold. Tourism t...
The Ozark Beach Dam near Forsyth was built in 1913, producing Lake Taneycomo, which encouraged the growth of the resort community, 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. Many of these new tourists arrived via the White River Li...
Branson’s reputation as the place for live entertainment was birthed in 1959 by the Mabe brothers, who called themselves the Baldknobbers. The trio’s combination of country hits and comedy become the winning formula for thecountry music variety show genre in Branson that is still utilized in several successful shows today. In 1969 the Baldknobbers ...
The live music shows, Silver Dollar City and outdoor recreation continued to draw visitors to the area. But by the 1980s, Branson began to expand its entertainment offerings which, in many cases, extended the amount of time visitors vacationed in the area. Several entrepreneurs set their sights on providing families the best in summer fun in Branso...
On December 8, 1991, Branson was featured on the popular television program, “60 Minutes” as the “live music capital of the entire universe.” This national exposure initiated an unprecedented era of growth for Branson. The number of theaters, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and attractions rapidly grew, and more and more visitors chose Branson ...
Perhaps the most prominent change in Branson during the early 2000s was the opening of Branson Landing, the $420 million waterfront development along Lake Taneycomo near Historic Downtown Branson. In addition to the impressive water spectacular that synchronizes light, sound, music and fire, Branson Landing brought new shopping, restaurants and hot...
With now more than 9 million visitors a year, Branson has established itself as a go-to destination with something for everyone, and it continues to evolve. Silver Dollar City continually invests in the growth of the area by bringing new and exciting attractions to the park. In 2013 they opened Outlaw Run, voted Best New Ride of 2013 worldwide by A...
Nov 19, 2023 · However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that Branson truly came into its own as a popular tourist destination. Today, Branson’s vibrant entertainment scene, family-friendly attractions, and stunning outdoor landscapes have made it a favorite vacation spot for people from all corners of the globe.
The real transformation of Branson began in the late 20th century when it emerged as a major tourist destination. The opening of Silver Dollar City, a theme park celebrating Ozarks heritage, in 1960 marked a turning point. The Presleys’ Country Jubilee, a family music show, also gained popularity during this time, drawing visitors to the area.
The Presley family was performing in Kimberling City during the late 1950’s. The family came from Springfield, Missouri to entertain the new found tourist of Table Rock Lake. They played at the Underground Theatre of Lakeview, inside of a cave. This cave is now known as Talking Rocks Cavern.
- 1105 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, 65616, MO
However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the Branson began to develop into what it is today. Named after Reuben Branson, owner of a general store that doubled as a post office in the 1880s, Branson was officially incorporated in 1912.
May 17, 2015 · Branson’s First Tourism Attraction – In 1884, when most people just saw a cave filled with bat dung when they looked at “Marble Cave,” William Lynch sensed tourism potential, bought the Cave, “sight unseen,” moved, along with his daughters Miriam and Genevieve, from Chicago to Branson and opened it up for tours. After his death and ...
