Category Archives: History

Clams “button” up a “pearl” of Branson History

“La Riviere Blanche,” as the White River, was called by the early French traders, has been a source of water, transportation, recreation, and livelihoods from the days the first inhabitants set foot in the White River Valley. Cruising on Lake Taneycomo today, with its depth controlled by two dams, it’s hard to picture a White River that, most of the time was so low that the appearance of even a shallow draft steam boat, with about the same draft as Main Street Lake Cruises’ Lake Queen‘s four feet, was a rare occurrence or, although relatively infrequently, was flooded its banks with water so high and swift that it destroyed virtually everything in its path. However, that was the White River of Ozark and Branson history until the Power Site Dam formed Lake Taneycomo in 1913 and Table Rock Dam was completed in 1959.

From the trapping done by the early trappers to the electricity generated at various dams since 1913 and the tourism industry supported by lakes like Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Lake Taneycomo today, the White River has played a central part in daily lives and economic opportunities available to those living in the Branson area. One of the lessor known was from “clam digging,” which, from a White River perspective, has an entirely different meaning than “clam digging” does along ocean coast lines.

The White River was home to over two dozen different type of mussels, which are referred to alternately as “clams” in different history books. The early Indian inhabitants of the White River region used the mussels for food, implements and what would today be called “jewelry.” However, even though mussels, like the “oyster” make pearls it was not until 1897, when Dr. J. H. Myers found a “14 grain, fine luster, pinkish colored pearl” that the pearl and related industries got their start along the White River. The news of his discovery spread quickly and there was a virtual “pearl rush” to the mussel bars along the White River in search of pearls.

The value of a pearl then was determined about the same way it is today based on shape, size, color and other characteristics. Although records show that prices as high as $1,100.00 were paid for some pearls, prices above $2.00 per pearl was the exception not the rule with many selling for a dollar or less. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but when the prevailing wage in the region at that time was about $.50 cents a day the “pearl hunter” did pretty well.

In 1900, soon after the pearling industry started, it was discovered that there was a market for the thick mussel shells. Button plants, in Kansas, Iowa and elsewhere were making “Pearl Buttons” from the shells, but there was a very high ratio of shells to finished buttons estimated by some to be 40 tons of shells to get one ton of buttons. To overcome this challenge “button blank” plants to be set up at various places along the White River where the raw shells were processed into various sized “button blanks” by “punching” them out of the shell.

These blanks were purchased by shell buyers when they came down the White River by flat boat, twice a year for consolidation and shipment to the button factories where they were processed into the finished button. With the coming of the railroad to Branson in 1906 the button blanks were transported overland to Branson and shipped by rail to button plants including Muscatine, which was, at the time known as “The Pearl Button Capital of the World” and the “Iola Button Factory,” which went out of business during the “great depression.”

When the supply of mussels started to dry up and newer and easier to work with materials came along toward the end of the 1930’s there was no more demand for the shells and the “clam digger” went the way of the railroad “Hacker” before them. One thing remained constant however, “La Riviere Blanche” rolled on and, with the completion of the Table Rock Dam and formation of Table Rock Lake in 1959, helped grow and nurture the tourism industry which is the current economic foundation of Branson today.

3 “Hidden” Historical Gems in downtown Branson

The gravestone of Ruben Branson, the man Branson is named after is readily visible without having to go into the cemetery.

“We are fortunate to have a vibrant downtown historic district,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center, who has lived or worked in Branson since childhood. “It’s alive and thriving with galleries, shows, attractions, festivals, restaurants, great specialty shopping, ‘Dick’s 5 and 10’ and history; all set in a unique, quaint, comfortable and laid back atmosphere presenting ‘small town America’ at its best.”

Historic downtown Branson has a number of historic spots. Three of them, covering key aspects in Branson’s history timeline, are located within a leisurely ten minute walk of each other and are virtually “hidden” right out in the open with no indication of their historical significance.

It is suggested that you park your car in the free lot behind “Dicks 5 and 10” located at the corner of Atlantic and Commercial Streets. As you exit the lot onto Commercial Street turn left, north, and walk one block to the Branson Cemetery located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Oklahoma and Commercial Streets.

In 1882, Ruben S. Branson opened a general store near the mouth of Roark Creek and the White River, started a post office and named it “Branson.” The name of the post office was changed “Lucia” in 1902, changed back to “Branson” again in 1904 and became the name of the city of Branson when it was incorporated on April 1, 1912. The grave site of Ruben S. Branson may be conveniently viewed from the outside of the cemetery.

The bank building that survived the 1912 Branson Fire.

A two block walk south on Commercial Street, back past the parking lot, will take you to the northwest corner of the intersection of Main and Commercial Streets where you will be standing in front of “Patricia’s Victorian House.” In August of 1912, a few months after the City of Branson was incorporated, a fire engulfed the entire downtown business district destroying virtually the whole downtown area. One of the few buildings that survived, and the only one on Commercial Street, was the “bank” which is now “Patricia’s Victorian House.”

Continue one block further south to the intersection of Pacific and Commercial, turn right, west, and go about a half block until you arrive at the parking lot with the city restrooms. That is the spot where Branson’s live entertainment industry started in 1960 when the Mabe Brothers, along with Chick Allan on the “jaw bone,” started performing the Baldknobbers Jamboree show in a room of the “Old Community Building” that also housed Branson City Hall.

Bob Mabe, one of the original Baldknobbers said, “We’d have our wives go out and stand on the corner with signs advertising the show.” He said that they had to have about a dozen people before they did a show and probably averaged about 30 with their largest crowd around 80.

As you turn around and head east back to Commercial Street you will notice a pawn shop on the southeast corner of the intersection of Pacific and Commercial streets. Back in 1912 it was the spot where the “Commercial Hotel” was located. The 1912 fire that destroyed the downtown business district started in that hotel when, according to lore, a maid let a fire in a wooden stove get out of control.

Wait, I know that’s four not three. Couldn’t help myself, but one thing is for sure, if you visit these spots and know their historical significance you have experienced a bit of Branson history and heritage that the vast majority of the millions of people who come to Branson each year don’t even know exists.

Anyone for a unique and fun way to experience Branson history?

One of the beautiful and unique views from inside Marvel Cave.

BRANSON, Mo., December 29, 2013 – “Branson is steeped in the history and heritage of the Ozarks,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “In fact, Branson’s now famous tourism industry got its first major push from a book based on that very thing when Harold Bell Wright published the novel ‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ in 1907.”

Even before that however, Branson’s oldest attraction, “Marble Cave,” operated by the Lynch family, had been providing tourists with an opportunity to go deep beneath the Ozark Mountains on cave tours since about 1894. The cave is now called “Marvel Cave,” is a National Natural Landmark and offers “free”offers, but interestingly, each year hundreds of thousands rush right past its entrance seemingly without noticing or, if they do, without a second thought.

There’s a pretty good reason for that however, because the cave is actually located just inside the main entrance to Silver Dollar City, the international award winning 1880s styled theme park that is easily Branson’s most popular attraction. From a historical perspective, Silver Dollar City is also Branson’s first and longest continuously operated attraction because it includes “Marvel Cave” which was continuously operated by the Lynch family for 50 years prior to the Herschend family leasing it in 1950. In 1960 they started “Silver Dollar City” at the entrance of the cave as a way to entertain visitors waiting for their cave tour and as some say, “The rest is history.”

A tour of Marble Cave is one of the many activities included with an admission ticket to Silver Dollar City and provides those taking the tour a unique and interesting opportunity to experience something that is a special part of Ozark Mountain history and, most certainly, something they will not see in any other theme park. Weather permitting, tours depart every 30 minutes, take about 60 minutes and include a unique exit, from far below the surface, via an inclined tram built by the Herschend family prior to the opening of Silver Dollar City.

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson invites anyone wanting more information about “Marvel Cave” and “Silver Dollar City or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 and talk with one of its trained Branson based Travel Planners.

Al Capone’s Ozark Hideaway?

Al Capone's summer retreat?

BRANSON, Mo., January 5, 2013 — When Main Street Lake Cruises’ Lake Queen slipped her moorings at Main Street Marina in Branson Landing for her sightseeing cruise on beautiful lake Taneycomo the morning of January 4 most of the passengers on board expected to see majestic Ozark vistas, bluffs that are “tens of thousands” of years old, Bald Eagles and more. Some might even have expected a mention of the Baldknobbers, a vigilante group featured in Harold Bell Wright’s famous novel, “The Shepherd of the Hills” and a mainstay of local history. What most didn’t expect was anything tying one one the most “famous gangsters “of all time, Al Capone, to the Branson area..

Capone was a “famous” Chicago gangster during the prohibition era in Chicago and was the head of the “Chicago Mob.” Although no one was every tired for it, it is suspected that he was responsible for the infamous 1929 “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” in retaliation against Bugs Moran, the leader of a “rival gang” during which seven were brutally shot to death. Capone’s criminal career came to an end when he was convicted on federal charges of income tax evasion sentenced to federal prison in 1932, spending the majority of that sentence in Alcatraz, until his parole in 1939. The effects of his neurosyphilis, the repeal of prohibition in 1933 and his incarceration led to Capone’s retirement in Florida where he died of a heart attack at the age of 47.

The question comes to mind, “What does a Chicago gangster have to do with the Ozarks?” After gliding past just about the full length of Rockaway Beach’s scenic lake front, Captain Brian Ayers alerted the passengers to the ruins of a very old two story stone and wooden house at the foot of a bluff, immediately off the right side of the boat and on the opposite shore from Rockaway Beach. He pointed out that in its heyday Rockaway Beach was the premier vacation destination in southwest Missouri and that local legend has it that Al Capone, not only vacationed in Rockaway Beach, but stayed in that house while he was there because of its isolated location and water only approach.

There is no hard evidence that he did, but neither is there that he didn’t, but during the 20s he was known to disappear for periods of time. Could this house be one the places where he went? Who knows for sure, but one thing is certain, as Captain Ayers tells the story of Capone’s Ozarks  legend, it sure seems possible and one almost expects to see cigar smoke curling out the windows of the house.

What is Ozark Mountain Christmas?

The center of Silver Dollar City's "Old Time Christmas." It's town square and five story special effects Christmas Tree.

BRANSON, Mo., October 9, 2012 —  “A common question for us at this time of the year is, ‘What is Ozark Mountain Christmas?’” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. She answers, “It’s a combination of things adding up to a unique Branson area wide celebration of the true spirit of a traditional American Christmas that has been celebrated for over two decades.”

From Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing on the shores of Lake Taneycomo on the east to Branson’s most popular paid attraction Silver Dollar City on the west, Ozark Mountain Christmas is a world class celebration of the Christmas Season. With millions upon millions of beautiful colored lights, drive through lighting displays and everything from a spectacular five story high special effects musical Christmas Tree; reindeer; Santa Claus and a “Fantasy Princess,” to Branson’s shows, attractions, shopping and other activities taking on the festive look and feel of the season, it is a unique holiday celebration unlike anything anywhere.

If that was all there was that would be plenty, but that’s not all there is. Ozark Mountain Christmas has its roots in a community that will be holding its “64th Annual Adoration Parade and Nativity Lighting Ceremony” in Historic Downtown Branson on December 2, as it gathers together to celebrate the reason for the season and honors the birth of the child for whom Christmas is named, Jesus Christ. While appreciating and respecting those who celebrate other holidays associated with that time of the year such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and others, Ozark Mountain Christmas is a special place for those who appreciate the traditional American Christmas and the real “reason for the season.”

A centerpiece of Ozark Mountain Christmas is Silver Dollar City’s world class festival, An Old Time Christmas, running from November 3 through December 30, and has been recognized as one of the nation’s top theme park Christmas celebrations. The 1880s-style theme park is transformed into a glowing Christmas spectacular with a twice nightly 100,000 light Holiday Light Parade; over four million sparkling lights throughout the park; one-of-a-kind handmade gifts made and showcased by Silver Dollar City’s demonstrating craftsmen; foods of the season and special shows including the Broadway style production of an original musical adaptation of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” and new this year, the debut of an adaptation of “It’s A Wonderful Life!” an original production with a cast of 14 strong which was produced exclusively for Silver Dollar City.

Ozark Mountain Christmas features two major drive through lighting displays, the Branson Area Festival of Lights and The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. The “Branson Area Festival of Lights” is a one mile trip through more than 175 sparkling displays, many of which are animated. It is conveniently located a few blocks from the heart of the Branson Strip. The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights is a two and a half mile journey through millions of Christmas lights, hundreds of gorgeous displays, holiday music, and animated scenes most of which have been integrated into the natural terrain of the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. It is one of the most unique and memorable drive through lighting experiences most people will ever experience and also includes a “trip to Inspiration Tower where guests can ride glass elevators up 230 feet for a “Santa’s eye view” of the lights from above.”

One of the many spectacular numbers in the 2011 "Andy Williams Christmas Show."

And what would the place that many call the “Live music show capital of the world” be like at Christmas, or any other time of the year, without its live shows. There is a wide selection of Christmas Shows that are only available during Ozark Mountain Christmas such as the Andy Williams Christmas Show, which involved Mr. Williams “in all phases of the show including production, its music and the selection of the acts that [would] be in the show,” prior to his passing; Lennon Sisters Christmas Show Johnny Mathis Christmas Show, Tony Orlando Christmas, A Christmas Snow, Christmas in Hollywood, Christmas on the Trail, Mollie B Christmas Show, Sanders Family Christmas, The Bellamy Brothers Tropical Christmas, and others.

In addition most of Branson’s regular season shows also perform Christmas shows which are typically a combination of the best of their regular season show and Christmas and are as unique as the show themselves. This includes some of Branson’s most popular shows such as Shoji Tabuchi, SIX, Pierce Arrow, Haygoods, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Dixie Stampede, Duttons, George Dyer, Hamner and Barber Variety Show, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Yakov Smirnoff, Duttons, Hughes Brothers, Rankin Brothers, Baldknobbers, Haygoods, Doug Gabriel, Grand Jubilee and many others. Other shows such as Acrobats of China, Joseph and Legends of Kung Fu, although not having a specific Christmas segment, are spectacular and add to the fun and excitement that is a part of Ozark Mountain Christmas.

Click here for a complete list of Branson Shows including information, pictures, videos, schedules, pricing and ticketing or call the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550.

Many of Branson’s attractions have special activities for Ozark Mountain Christmas. A partial list includes the Polar Express operated by Branson Scenic Railways from November 8 through December 22;” Titanic Christmas and Winter Celebration at the Titanic Museum Attraction from November 1 through December 31,including, new this year, “The Fantasy Princess,” from Thanksgiving Weekend to December 31st,Wednesday through Sunday and “White Flight” at the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest November 1 through January 15.

Branson is a virtual Christmas shoppers dream. “From the shops at Branson Landing on the shores of Lake Taneycomo to handcrafted items by the craftsmen and artists at Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, two major outlet malls, the shops of Historic Downtown Branson and specialty shops galore throughout Branson, Branson Christmas shopping sparkles as brightly as its Christmas lights.

A highlight of Ozark Mountain Christmas will be the 64th Annual Adoration Parade and Nativity Lighting Ceremony on December 2. The lighting ceremony will be conducted near the intersection of Commercial and Main Streets in Historic Downtown Branson at 5:00 p.m. However, when the switch is flipped it will light the giant 30 foot tall figures of a Nativity Scene located on top of Mount Branson on the opposite side of Lake Taneycomo overlooking Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson. The lighting ceremony is followed by one of the few, if not the only, noncommercial, lighted nighttime parades in the United States devoted to the theme of “Keeping Christ In Christmas.”

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson says, “If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What has happened to Christmas?’ a visit to Branson during Ozark Mountain Christmas just might answer that question. She also reminds everyone that it is one of the busiest times of the year in Branson and advises advance reservations for shows and lodging.

For additional information on Ozark Mountain Christmas or for tickets or information for any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/

Branson Centennial Museum shares 100 years of Branson history

This display emphasizes that the outdoors has been a part of Branson tourism since its earliest days.

BRANSON, Mo., June 28, 2012 — “The ‘Branson Centennial Museum’ offers a unique glimpse into Branson’s past,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. The Museum, located on the corner of State Highway 76 and Business Route 65 in historic downtown Branson was established as part of the celebration of Branson’s Centennial, is free to the public and open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.

During a visit to the Museum today, Mary Ann Sharp, Museum Manger, said that its exhibits are themed to include many different aspects of Branson’s History from “School Days,” “The White River/ Flooding,” “The Branson Fire,” “Conflict” and its current exhibit, “The Roots of Tourism” which will be on display until the latter part of July when “Fire and Flood” will replace it. The current exhibit has displays relating to early figures involved with the development of tourism in Branson such as Harold Bell Wright, Lizzie McDaniel, Jim Owen, the Baldknobbers, Presleys and others. It includes pictures and memorabilia and items from Branson’s early tourist activity involving shows, float trips, attractions, nightclubbing and fishing including the 1970s era costume of Steve Presley.

Steve Presley's 1970 era show costume.

Although the vast majority of the displays will change with the next exhibit. Sharp said that a constant is the six minute historical CD, produced and provided courtesy of Branson Visitor TV that is continually “looping” and may be watched while sitting on a wooden pew from the “Old Stone Church” that predates the incorporation of Branson on April 1, 1912. I would estimate that a trip through the Museum would take an average of 20 minutes to an hour, including watching the CD, depending on how much time one spends reading documents and looking at pictures.

The Museum is extremely accessible, on the Highway 76 Main Street route to Branson Landing; is conveniently located on the ground floor of the multi story building, is air conditioned and has parking located just outside its main entrance. It may be contacted directly by calling.at 417-239-1912,

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson points out that the Museum is only one of many interesting things to see while in historic downtown Branson including Dick’s 5 & 10, the grave of the man Branson is named after, Ruben S. Branson, the historic Owen Theatre, riding the free Downtown Trolley and much more. “And that’s just one small part of all that Branson has to offer,” she continued. For more information on the Museum, historic downtown Branson or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center through their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 to talk with one of their Branson located full service Vacation Planners.
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Branson’s Centennial Concert just might be “The Branson Show of the Century!”

Presleys' Country Jubilee comedian "Herkimer," Gary Presley, in the red shirt and drummer, Steve Presley, have been performing on a continuous basis since the show first opened on the Branson Strip in 1967.

BRANSON, Mo. “Although there will be other special events in connection with Branson’s Centennial celebration, the show billed as ‘Branson’s Birthday Spectacular – The Show of the Century’ will truly be one of the most popular highlights of the Centennial,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “It might very well be the most unique and entertaining show ever presented in Branson,” she added.

Bill Lennon, the show’s producer concurred adding, “It’s a show that will be full of history, nostalgia and entertainment, but most of all fun. After all, it’s a birthday celebration!” From the show’s original overture, incorporating 100 years of Branson history and music, to its historical elements, entertainers and the way it is all woven together, it is truly a once in a hundred year event of special significance.

There will be some special and unique performances. How often have the Baldknobbers Jamboree, acknowledged as Branson’s first show, and the Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Branson’s first show on the Branson Strip, performed together? How about a jam session with Jim Stafford and Ronnie Prophet and perhaps another special guest performer? Is there a possibility that the “Foggy River Boys” might be singing with “New South?” The unique possibilities and potential surprises for this once in a lifetime show are as endless as they are exciting.

Shoji Tabuchi and his daughter Christina are just two of the many Branson stars, present and past, scheduled to perform in the show.

That’s even more so when performances by the incredible Shoji Tabuchi and his daughter Christina; the Lennon Sisters; Yakov Smirnoff and a host of other Branson entertainers including “local songstress and portrayer of Aretha Franklin at the Legends in Concert, Nedgra Culp…; The Haygoods; Roy Rogers, Jr. and the High Riders; a special pre-show welcome from noted ventriloquist Jim Barber; a Happy Birthday sing-along with ‘Marilyn Monroe’, who also appears at Legends in Concert” and other surprises are factored in. It is easily one of most star studded shows Branson has seen in its 100 year existence.

To add to the enjoyment and fun, the live performances, Carrie April Tillis will act as the mistress of ceremonies and there will be a live 11 piece house band. Other special events and surprises will be incorporated into the show highlighted by an interactive performance of historical pictures and videos, music and a live narration presented by an “Original Ozark’s Mountain Gem,” Greg Pyron.

“In a sense, it has taken 100 years for this show to come to fruition and it’s not something most of us will see again in our lifetimes,” said Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson. She points out that there will only be one performance of this show, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday April 15, tickets are selling fast and suggests that those wanting tickets get them as soon as possible. She expects large crowds in Branson that weekend because of the combination of Silver Dollar City’s WorldFest and the Titanic Museum Attraction’s “A Night to Remember” on April 14 in addition to Branson’s Birthday Spectacular – The Show of the Century and all the fun and excitement Branson offers on a regular basis. For additional information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center either by calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“Speech, Song and Celebration” to start Branson Centennial

Branson Centennial Logo

BRANSON, Mo. It is not an April fool’s joke, the City of Branson was incorporated as a city on April 1, 1912 and will be celebrating “100 years of Heritage, Harmony, and Hospitality” with special events throughout 2012, starting with the kick off of its “Centennial Celebration” (Centennial) on April 1, 2012. Although many events will be tied into the Centennial such as the Titanic Museum Attraction’s, “A Night to Remember” on April 14, the “The 52nd Annual Plumb Nellie Days” May 17-19 and others; the primary Centennial events will be the “Centennial History Museum Grand Opening and Celebration,” in Historic Downtown Branson on Sunday, April 1; “Branson’s Birthday Spectacular – The Show of the Century,” on Sunday April 15 and “Branson’s 100th Fest and Street Dance,” at a place TBD, on Saturday, July 7.

The first official event of the Centennial will be the “Centennial History Museum Grand Opening and Celebration,” which will be held at the Museum, located at the corner of Main Street and Veterans Boulevard, Business Highway 65, in the heart of Historic Downtown Branson, on Sunday, April 1, with the actual ceremony starting at 2:00 p.m. The short ceremony will include “a blessing of the crowd by Bob Hubbard, the National Anthem, performed by renowned tenor George Dyer, and a Color Guard presentation by local Veterans will set the tone for an earnest, but uplifting celebration for its citizens. Celebrity Ventriloquist Jim Barber will serve as Emcee, and featured Speakers in addition to Mayor Presley include Museum Supporter Leon Combs and Katie Danner, Department of Missouri Tourism.”

After the ceremony the crowd can follow a Dixieland band into Historic Downtown Branson for more music, fun and festivities until 5pm. This will include an afternoon of street musicians, walking tours, and story tellers and other entertainment.

The Branson Centennial Museum will remain open throughout 1912 and is made possible through the combined efforts of “The Downtown Branson Main Street Association,” The White River Valley Historical Society, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (BLACC) and the City of Branson. It will be located at 101 Veterans Boulevard in a building formerly housing the Morris Oil Company and donated for the Centennial by Jim D. Morris, philanthropist and local merchant.

Some of the Museums initial exhibits are planned to include “Early Branson, prior to its 1912 incorporation,” “The White River,” “The Roots of Tourism” “School Days” and others. With its prime visibility, visitors and locals alike will find the museum attractive and engaging. To keep the exhibits fresh, interesting and exciting many will be rotated “on a six-eight week basis.”

Stephanie Milton, Director of Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, said, “The Centennial Celebration activities and events will be another unique and exciting thing for Branson visitors to experience in Branson during 2012.” For additional information on Branson’s Centennial Celebration or for information or tickets for any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Branson Centennial is a celebration of history, heritage, fun and excitement

The gravestone of Ruben Branson, the man Branson is named after, is readily visible. without having to go into the cemetery, from the northwest corner of the intersection of Okalahoma and Commerical Streets in historic downtown Branson.

BRANSON, Mo. In 1882, when Ruben S. Branson started a general store near the mouth of Roark Creek and the White River and named the post office “Branson” he had no idea of what was to follow. Who could have known that decades later the railroad would come down Roark Creek into the heart of a developing community benefiting not only from the intense logging industry in the area, but the building of the Power Site Dam on the White River near Forsyth and the tourism resulting from the publishing of the epic story of life in the Ozarks, Harold Bell Wright’s novel, “The Shepherd the Hills?”

Interestingly, all that took place prior to the incorporation of “Branson” as a city. In fact, in 1902 the name of the post office was changed to “Lucia” as competing sites and interests tried to get land and plat their own towns. The issue was settled in 1903 when Charles Fulbright and his “Branson Town Company” acquired both town sites and the name of the post office was changed back to “Branson” in 1904. A short eight years later the city of “Branson” was incorporated on April 1, 1912.

As  the city of Branson begins the celebration of its Centennial Year, it might be appropriate to note that Branson’s first show, The Baldknobbers Jamboree was 47 years away as was Table Rock Lake, Silver Dollar City was 48 years away and its first show on the now famous “Branson Strip,” Presley’s Country Jubilee was 55 years away. Yet today, as the city of Branson celebrates its Centennial, an estimated 8 million visitors a year come to Branson making it “Missouri’s top vacation destination.”

Why do they come? “To experience all that Branson has to offer,” says Stephanie Milton, Director of Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Where else in America’s heartland, or perhaps anywhere, can a person go and experience the unique combination of 100 plus live shows, attractions, family entertainment, shopping, water activities, championship golfing and everything else Branson has to offer? What other destination has so beautifully integrated the entertainment, adventure and excitement of what it offers into the surrounding natural beauty of its magnificent and spectacular hills, valleys, lakes and hollows?”

Branson’s Centennial, “100 YEARS OF BRANSON, MISSOURI – a Story of Heritage, Harmony and Hospitality” has events scheduled to run from April 1 through July 7 with the “Centennial Heritage Museum” remaining open from April 1 throughout, at least, the rest of the year. It is a celebration of Branson’s history, heritage and spirit combined with all the fun and excitement that makes Branson such a wonderful family vacation destination.

The “Centennial Kick-Off Event” will be on April 1, exactly 100 years to the day from Branson’s initial incorporation, in its historic downtown district. The day will begin with the dedication and opening of the “Centennial Heritage Museum,” with the National Anthem being sung by Branson tenor George Dyer, comments by Branson’s Mayor Raeanne Presley and other dignitaries and other entertainment. Bogie Bohinc, the producer of the festivities that will follow, said that the entire historic downtown area will be a celebration of fun, action and entertainment until 4:00 p.m., including street performances; horse and buggy rides; bands; music of all genres from Bluegrass to Dixieland and much more including a “few surprises.”

Throughout the Centennial, there are a number of activities and events contributing to the excitement of the celebration. These include Silver Dollar City, Branson’s award winning 1880s styled theme park; the Titanic Museum Attractions “A Night to Remember,” on April 14, providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the 100th year remembrance of the fateful night the great ship sank in the north Atlantic; the Branson Centennial Celebration Show on April 15; the “52nd Annual Plumb Nellie Days Arts and Crafts Festival” in historic downtown Branson, May 17 through 19 and “Branson’s 100th Fest and Street Dance” on July 7.

Ross Summers, President/CEO, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “Throughout the town, our community welcomes you to our once-in-a-lifetime celebration. And our birthday wish is that you leave with a rekindled spirit and renewed hope for the next century.”

Branson Tourism Center’s (BTC) Milton suggests that Branson visitors make advance reservations for shows and lodging during the Centennial to ensure they get not only availability, but the seating and accommodations desired. She also points out that there is a limited number of VIP tickets available for the Titanic Museum Attractions “A Night to Remember,” on April 14 and that BTC’s exclusive package for the event also includes a special keepsake coin incorporating an actual segment of a piece of coal that has been brought up from the Titanic.

For additional information on Branson’s Centennial Celebration, any of the events connected to it or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact BTC, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“Ozarks Romance” first of many Branson historical exhibits during Centennial Celebration

This 1894 nightgown was worn by Delphia Francis Spradlin following her marriage to John Samuel Reish.Nightgown from the Reish Family Collection on loan to the WRVHS courtesy of Joe and Barbara Reish.

BRANSON, Mo “The White River Historical Society’s ‘Ozarks Romance’ is yet another unique and diversified activity for Branson visitors to consider while visiting Branson,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “The items from the Reish Family collection are opportune because Branson is celebrating its Centennial this year and the family still operates Branson’s longest running commercial business, ‘Reish Shoes,’ in historic downtown Branson,” she continued.

Information received from The White River Historical Society says “When did the tradition of a bride wearing white develop? What homespun remedy is a ‘sure cure, for a complexion problem? How can you be sure you dream of your future spouse? Answers to these questions and more are answered during the White River Valley Historical Society’s ‘Ozarks Romance’ exhibit, where love is in the air, through March 30.

“The exhibit, created by members of the Society, gives visitors a look at marriage and courtship in the area, including folklore, chivarees, anniversaries, hope chests, and shotgun weddings.  Vintage gowns and nightgowns are part of the display, as well as valentines from the 1930’s, albums, hope chest items, and a ‘parlor’ ready for the big day!”

The White River Valley Historical Society is located at 297 Main Street, Forsyth, across from the Taney County Judicial Facility, its operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and there is no admission charge. For further information on the “Ozarks Romance” exhibit, any of the many other special events that will be taking place during the celebration of the Branson Centennial or Branson’s shows, attractions or lodging, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.