A hundred years ago Branson, Missouri was just a patch of
wilderness in the quilt of the Ozarks. Then along came the
railroad, a book and a dam and now Branson is known as "Little
Las Vegas."
1903 brought the railroad to Branson. This allowed easy access
for tourists looking for some quiet time away from the busy city
life.
Harold Bell Wright's best selling book, Shepherd of the Hills,
brought national attention to the natural resources found in
Branson. It didn't hurt when John Wayne was in a 1941 movie
version of the book either. Since 1959, The Shepherd of the
Hills Outdoor Theater has performed this Ozark story and is
considered the most performed outdoor drama in the U.S.
Congress gave its permission in 1911 for the Powersite Dam. When
they built the dam it, in turn, created Lake Taneycomo and a
lake resort town was born. When we visited the area, we were
struck by the beauty of the mountains as you roll closer and
closer to town and by the incredible things to do once you get
there.
A visit to Branson is a treat for all ages and tastes. Outdoor
addicts can find fantastic fishing and more. For the shopper,
there is a great outlet mall, which was my personal favorite. If
you want to be entertained it has everything from theaters to
country music legends. For the kids, there are a couple of theme
parks. And it only took a railroad, a book and a dam. Oh, and
maybe a hundred years of progress helped, too.
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