Branson, Missouri

There are no records, and only sparse evidence, of the first human occupation of the area surrounding Branson. Scholars theorize that the ancestors of the Osage Indians appeared in central Missouri sometime in the 14th century. These people were nomads, following game around the region east of the Mississippi between the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers. The tribe lived this way for centuries, dominating other tribes who shared their homelands and aggressively attacking any others who invaded their territory. When the first Anglo men began to arrive in the region in the early 1700s, the Osage were engaged in war with tribes from the southern woodlands as well as with many of the plains Indians.

After Spain claimed the region, Spanish and French traders began plying their goods with the Osage in exchange for fur, but the warring traditions of the Osage disconcerted the Spanish and contributed to the crown's decision to transfer the Louisiana Territory back to France. One month later, the area was sold to the United States as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The following decades were tragic for the Osage people, as the United States government made and broke treaties and forced the Osage into submission. The subsequent end of Indian occupation opened the door to homesteaders.

Moving west from Kentucky and Tennessee, English, Irish and Scottish farmers carved an existence and created a unique culture in the Ozark Mountains. Pride and individuality came with these people, who thrived on the isolation that the deep woods provided, becoming fiercely independent and suspicious of outsiders. This isolation served to preserve their culture well into the 20th century.

Existence for these settlers was tough, with limited soil for farming along the river valleys and steep, heavily forested slopes that made raising livestock a challenge. In fact, timber was what actually proved to be first practical economic stabilizer. To satisfy the railroad's insatiable hunger for crossties, farmers became loggers and sawyers, while once-forested tracts of land were clear-cut. As more and more farmland became available, strawberries and tobacco became cash crops, contributing to the area's cash flow. In 1837, the Missouri State Legislature created Taney County and named the town of Forsyth as the county seat. The area grew for the next 20 years, as lumber, ranching and farming drove the economy.

This progress would all end in 1861, though, when civil war literally tore the area apart. Taney County lay on the border between the Confederacy and the Union, with the land changing hands many times during the war. Battles left innocent citizens dying and wounded, homes broken and burned, and the area's infrastructure devastated. Once the war was over, the few who remained tried to rebuild, but it would be nearly a half a century before the gashes left by the war scarred over.

Among the war's ill side effects were the renegades and outlaws who used the turmoil of conflict and the ruggedness of the Ozarks as an opportunity to practice their violent ways of life. The region's most feared outlaw during the war was Alf Bolin, who along with his gang ambushed stages and caravans along the roads leading north out of Taney County. (Legends of gold bullion hidden in the hills around Branson still bring treasure-hunters to the area today.) As this lawlessness continued, it eventually gave birth to the band of 13 vigilantes who would become known as the Bald Knobbers (after their meeting place atop Snap's Bald). Dispensing their own brand of justice, the group swelled to include more than 1,000 members in just a few months; the governor of Missouri was actually forced to step in and stop them.

Meanwhile, the region's population continued to grow. A demand for electricity in the towns and villages, coupled with a desperate need to control the devastating floods that ravaged the White River Valley, led to an ambitious plan. As early as 1907, government officials and engineers began masterminding the construction of a dam on the White River, up river from Branson. But the first dam would come four years later, 12 miles downstream, near the county seat of Forsyth. The water that backed up behind Powersite Dam created Lake Taneycomo, the first major lake in Missouri, and began the alteration of the landscape and way of life of Branson. World War II delayed construction of the next dam until 1947. When completed, Bull Shoals Dam backed up the waters of the river 75 miles to the base of Powersite Dam.

However, flooding continued until 1958 when Table Rock Dam was built above the warm waters of Lake Taneycomo, creating a 50,000 surface-acre water wonderland just south of Branson. The new lake changed many things. Cold water from the bottom of Table Rock created a quality trout fishery in adjacent Taneycomo, while the warm waters of Table Rock heated things up in Branson, leading visitors to began arriving in droves.

Entrepreneurs began to take advantage of this influx of tourists. A limestone cave northwest of Branson was eventually transformed into Silver Dollar City, one of the nation's most popular theme parks. A novel by Harold Bell Wright that had drawn attention to the area since 1907 became the setting for the Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama. An amphitheater was built in a rolling pasture, and each year, hundreds of thousands of theatergoers come to relive the telling of this story of love, betrayal and forgiveness.

The roots of modern-day Branson's economy lie deep within the hills and culture of the mountains. Ozark Mountain jug bands were always locally popular, and two long-suffering groups, the Baldknobbers and the Presleys, were finally able to build theaters along Highway 76 in the late 1960s. Their popularity was instantaneous, yielding regularly sold-out crowds. Several nationally known entertainers took notice of these groups' successes, moving to Branson to take advantage of the throngs of entertainment-tourists hungry. Today, no less than 40 theaters line the streets of this entertainment mecca.

As Branson grew in popularity and became one of the top tourist destinations in the country, the small Ozark town was transformed from a lakeside community into a full-blown resort. Theaters and theme parks sprouted like feed corn in the nearby fields. The increasing number of visitors created a demand for hotel and motel accommodations. What ensued was an explosion of hotel construction in the late 1970s and early 80s, resulting in more than 23,000 hotel, motel and bed and breakfast rooms, which run from ostentatiously expensive to pragmatically affordable.

Lap of Luxury Located on a hill just above the shoreline of Table Rock Lake, the 10-story Chateau on the Lake represents the finest and most expensive lodging in Branson. With towering architecture reminiscent of the alpine chateaus of France, the Chateau is visible for miles around. This facility boasts the only full-service convention center in the area.

If you think you will have time for a little golf while you're in town, there are several luxury resorts located right on the greens of one of Branson's dozen or so golf courses. The Pointe Royale Condominium Resort, where one to three-bedroom condo units line the fairways of a private championship golf course, is considered the premier golf resort in Branson.

For a little peace and additional tender-loving care, the Emory Creek Bed and Breakfast awaits you. Nestled in the wooded hills, this converted Victorian mansion can only be described as elegant. A four-course breakfast is served on a private patio where raccoons occasionally appear from the trees in search of a handout.

Staying on The Strip The Branson strip is an seven-mile mixture of theaters, restaurants, attractions and dozens of hotels and motels geared at providing quality accommodations to travelers who have come for one thing: entertainment. During summer, traffic snarls along the main street, as tour buses, motor coaches, visitors and residents all vie for limited road space. In this part of town, the hotels are in earnest competition with each other; the real winners, though, are the visitors. Hotels and motel rooms along the Branson strip can be found at almost rock-bottom prices, and they are all clean and cozy with generous amenities. The added plus is that most hotels on The Strip are located within walking distance of numerous theaters, restaurants and shopping, alleviating the need to enter the traffic fray.

The 1st Inn Gold offers comfortable lodging in the midst of the city's show palaces. The priority here is affordable lodging. Single rooms go for less than a good meal for two, and full kitchenette units are available for families. Plus, if you are too busy taking in the sights and sounds of Branson and do not have the time or energy to get tickets to the next show, the staff here will get them for you. Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame Inn, a three-story motel right across the street from the Hollywood Wax Museum, combines affordable rates with luxury accommodations. Several of the suites actually have Jacuzzis in the rooms and large patio balconies.

All in One Place If being within walking distance to shows restaurants and activities still is not enough, there are complexes in Branson that have it all in one building. The Grand Country Inn is an impressive combination of shops, a hotel, a theater, a restaurant and more. A water park on the premises is free to all guests—something you will learn to appreciate during those balmy Missouri summers. At the Grand Country Market, you can view the world's largest banjo (autographed by top names in country music), which is so big the neck sticks 40 feet out the side of the building. One of the oldest entertainment complexes in town is Baldknobbers Motor Inn. The inn here is not luxurious, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the rates are competitive.

Lakeside The Branson area is home to thousands of miles of shoreline along the edges of three diverse lakes, and there are an abundance of resorts and accommodations right on the water. The Villas At Lantern Bay on Table Rock Lake is just a 10-minute drive from Branson, but the quiet atmosphere of this luxury condo resort is worlds away from the fast-paced energy of The Strip. At Cooper Creek Resort, cabins in all price ranges stand less than a stone's throw from Lake Taneycomo. A private boat-and-fishing dock offers a doorway to the peace and tranquility that only a body of water as pristine as Lake Taneycomo can offer.

Cruisers The proliferation of recreational vehicles brings more and more visitors to Branson aboard private motor coaches each year. Branson is prepared to accommodate these guests, as it has some 5,000-plus full-service spaces for motor homes of all shapes and sizes. After a long day on the road, the last thing anyone wants is to have to search all over the busy Branson streets for a place that will accommodate a 50-foot coach with double slideouts.

With 167 sites capable of handling the new monster rigs, America's Best Campground lives up to its name. Shade trees occupy each space, and amenities such as a pool, a game room and a hot tub provide soothing diversions while you wait for show time. West of Branson near Silver Dollar City is Acorn Acres RV Park, a picturesque RV park carved from the hardwood forests of the Ozarks. It offers private, paved sites surrounded by woods where you can picnic beneath the canopy of the trees.