Category Archives: History

Branson’s unique vibrant downtown district filled with history and fun

Free Downtown Trolley is both an attraction and a connection between Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing.

BRANSON, Mo. “What a blessing,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center, “even in these trying economic times, historic downtown Branson is vibrant, alive and thriving.” She points out that the historic downtown district has it all, fun, shows, festivals, restaurants, shopping, attractions and history all in a unique, quaint, comfortable and laid back atmosphere that truly represents “small town” America at its best.

In terms of history, Branson, Missouri, the place that is today called “The live music capital of the world” got its start in historic downtown Branson. The “Baldknobbers Jamboree,” credited with being the “show that started it all,” held the city of Branson’s first commercial theatre performances in a small rented space inside a civic center building located in historic downtown Branson. Historic downtown Branson is the location the of grave of the man Branson is named after, Ruben S. Branson; it’s oldest free standing building Sullenger’s Saloon and the only buildings to survive the 1912 fire that virtually destroyed Branson’s downtown district within months after it was incorporated as a city on April 1, 1912.

If you’re thinking that makes Branson 100 years old in 2012 you’re right. And what a century it’s been, truly “A Century to Celebrate!” Branson’s Centennial Celebration, during the entire year of 2012, will do just that honoring “100 years of Heritage, Harmony & Hospitality.”

But, historic downtown Branson is much more than just history. With festivals, parades, shows, restaurants, attractions, and shopping galore, it’s a wonderful place to relax have fun and experience a special and unique part of Branson.

Its three primary festivals, “Plumb Nellie Days,” the “Fiddle Festival,” and “Autumn Daze,” help preserve Ozarks history and culture in terms of arts, crafts, music and just getting together and having fun. Historic downtown Branson has two major parades each year; “The Branson Veteran’s Day Parade,” which has been held at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month for the last 77 years and its “Adoration Day Parade,” a night parade which has been held for 64 years, honoring the true meaning of Christmas.

It offers shows such as Elvis and the Superstars, Breakfast with Mark Twain, Motown Downtown and others. It has a selection of restaurants located close together that includes four of Branson’s oldest the “Branson Café,” “Farm House,” “The Shack” and “Clockers,” all located within a block of each other and noted for their home-style cooking; “Rocky’s Italian Restaurant” and its three newest restaurants, Branson’s upscale “Level 2 Steakhouse,” located in the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel; the unique “Table 22,” “where the earth speaks,” and the “Downtown Dinner” located next to the historic Owen Theatre.

Just one of the many aisles of merchandise in the unique shopping experience that is Dicks 5 & 10.

Historic downtown Branson is a shopper’s dream in terms of the unique shopping opportunities it offers. From unique shops such as “Branson Bills Emporium” “Rosa’s Lost Treasure Chest,” “Lil’ Shoppe of Leather” “Hollywood Studio Store & More,” the “Burlington Annex” and dozens of others, the shopping experience in historic downtown Branson is unique and special. And, if that’s not enough there is a “Free Downtown Trolley” service” between the historic downtown district and Branson Landing, which opens up a whole new area of exciting shopping opportunities.

And that’s not counting ,“Dick’s 5 & 10,” celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2011, a one of a kind shopping experience harking back to the old time “5 & 10” stores. Dicks is so unique that it is also one of Branson’s most popular attractions. It’s wide selection of varied merchandise has led some to say, “If you can’t find it at Dick’s you don’t need it.” Historic downtown Branson also has other attractions such as horse and buggy ride,a  “Free Downtown Trolley” that runs through the historic downtown area to Branson Landing and along the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront every few minutes, the Branson Scenic Railway, and its newest attraction, the “Gone With the Wind Museum” commemorating the spectacular 1939 film that won 10 academy awards. In this writer’s opinion, the totality of the experience that historic downtown Branson offers is in itself an attraction.

When Branson became a city on April 1, 1912 downtown Branson was the “heart” of its business district, now almost 100 years later, in terms of history, heritage, harmony, and hospitality, it’s still a major part of the “heartbeat” that makes Branson the special place that it is. For additional information on historic downtown Branson and all it has to offer or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (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.

Festivals add another exciting element to the Branson experience

Silver Dollar City's Worldfest.*

(Branson, Missouri) The word “festival” can be defined in many ways, but in Branson, Missouri we define it as “A celebration of fun!” Many people return to Branson with their families every year because they feel like their time in Branson is one big family festival of fun, entertainment, adventure and excitement.

In addition, although known primarily for its live shows, entertainment, attractions and shopping, proportionately speaking, there’s not a town in America, perhaps the world that offers more quality, variety and numbers of festivals than Branson. From “Kewpiesta,” a three day festival in April celebrating the “Kewpie Doll” and its inventor, Rose O’Neil to the two month celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas there is a festival being celebrated as part of the fun and excitement Branson offers.

Branson’s biggest and most popular attraction, the 1880s theme park Silver Dollar City features six major festivals each year starting with World-Fest the country’s largest international festival. It wouldn’t be Spring in the Ozarks without this colorful international festival of fun, entertainment, and food. World-Fest allows you and your family to experience the traditions, culture, music, dancing, and excitement of many countries without leaving the beauty and peace of our Ozark hills, but the fun and excitement doesn’t end there.

As is the case with all its festivals, festival activities are in addition to everything else for which Silver Dollar City is famous. You can enjoy any of the 30 rides and attractions in the park including everything from “Wildfire,” a world class multi-looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour to their new $1 million “Half Dollar Holler” designed for kids through age 7, dozens of demonstrating craftsmen and some of the best live shows and entertainment available in Branson, all amid the natural wonder of its Ozarks Mountain setting.

In addition to the Festivals at Silver Dollar City, there are a variety of other festivals held throughout Branson every year to celebrate everything from the “Kewpie Doll, ” Ozark history, heritage and crafts to fiddle playing, Bonnie and Clyde, the traditional Christmas, food and wine and many other things. Here’s a list of just some of the festivals taking place in Branson throughout the year sorted chronologically:

18th Annual IMAX Film Fest – March 18 – April 24
See the World in Branson – No Passport Needed – May 1 – May 30
Silver Dollar City’s Young Christians Weekend – April 1 – 3
Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest – April 7 – May 8
Kewpiesta 2011 – April 13 – 17
Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients – April 28 – 30
3rd Annual Missouri Wine and Food Festival – April 29 – 30
Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ Festival – May 12 – May 30
Compton Ridge Campground Fiddle Convention – May 19 – 22
Plumb Nellie Days Arts and Crafts Festival – May 20 – 21
Silver Dollars City’s KidsFest – June 11 – July 24
Shepherd of the Hills Summer Cruise 2011 – August 11 – 13
Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic – August 25 – September 5
23rd Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid America Fiddle Championship – August 25 – 28
Shepherd of the Hills Fall Festival – September 6 – October 22
Compton Ridge Campground Fiddle Convention – September 8 – 11
Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival – September 10 – October 29
38th Annual Autumn Daze Festival – September 16 – 17
13th Annual Hollister Grape & Fall Festival – September 24
Bonnie & Clyde Festival – October 15
Ozark Mountain Christmas – November 1 – December 31
Veterans Home Coming – November 5 – 11
Silver Dollar City’s – An Old Time Christmas – November 5 – December 30
236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball – November 10

On a day to day basis, Branson’s fun, excitement, entertainment and adventure provides a unique and memorable vacation and entertainment experience. Its broad selection of festivals provides you with an opportunity to make that experience even more special and memorable.

*Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City

The Branson Story of the Year: Celebrating 50 Years of passion for “creating memories worth repeating”

Silver Dollar City's founders, left to right, Jack, Mary and Peter Herschend.

There are a lot of reasons why people come to Branson, Missouri, but one single entity has been helping people “Create memories worth repeating” for over 50 years and is responsible for more people coming to Branson than any other. That entity is Silver Dollar City, Branson’s award winning 1880s theme park, who has been celebrating its 50th Anniversary during the 2010 season.

The Story of the Year is not the celebration itself, but what it represents, 50 years of entertainment excellence, commitment and leadership that has helped to not only bring millions of people to Branson, but bring them back time and time again. 50 years of commitment, passion and service on the part of the Herschend family and all the Silver Dollar City employees, past and present, who took Silver Dollar City’s motto of, “We create memories worth repeating,” and made it a reality for their guests. In talking about Silver Dollar City’s 50th anniversary celebration this season, Peter Herschend, one of the co-founders of Silver Dollar City, said, “What a year. We’ve laughed and cried and shared memories with thousands of people whose families have been coming to see us for 50 years.”

Brad Thomas, Silver Dollar City’s General Manager was asked, “What is it that makes Silver Dollar City so unique?” He replied, “From opening day in 1960 to 2010 we’ve had a cast of characters as employees who truly loved to live and breathe in this place called Silver Dollar City. The guests experience at Silver Dollar City includes rides, festivals and shows, but beyond anything it’s about the people.” He went on to say that it is the effort, friendliness and passion of Silver Dollar City’s employees to serve the park’s guests and make sure they have a great experience that has created “the memories worth repeating” and relationships that has made Silver Dollar City so successful.

When one thinks of Silver Dollar City and what makes it unique, a portion of the “Branson Promise” comes to mind. It says, “We believe in our American values and celebrate them every day, respect for the individual, patriotism, faith, hope, optimism, family, courage, generosity, and opportunity for all.” For over 50 years, Silver Dollar City and its employees have lived those values and shared them with their guests helping them to “create memories worth repeating.”

As Branson moves into the excitement and opportunities of 2011, a paraphrase of the words of Brad Thomas saying, “Branson includes attractions, shows, shopping and so many other fun filled activities, but beyond anything it’s about the people” seems appropriate. Thank you Silver Dollar City employees, past and present, for your 50 years of example in setting the standard that Branson’s guests should expect in terms of their entertainment experience and for actually “Creating Memories Worth Repeating.”

Its historic downtown is a unique part of the Branson experience

In the snow of winter or the heat of summer, Dick's 5 & 10 is just one example of the unique things Historic Downtown Branson has to offer.

“Many downtown areas are a shell of what they used to be,” says Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center, “but historic downtown Branson is alive and vibrant. It has history, shows, restaurants, shopping and attractions and is truly the place ‘where it all started.’”

The Mabe family and their “Baldknobbers Jamboree,” Branson’s first show, is credited as being the “show that started it all.” They first performed in a small rented space in a civic building located behind the historic Owens Theatre in 1959 and now, 51 years later, the rest is history. The only buildings to survive the 1912 fire that virtually destroyed Branson’s downtown district within months after it became a city, the grave of the man it is named after and it’s oldest free standing commercial building are also located in historic downtown Branson.

Interestingly, Branson’s first show started its performances behind Branson’s first theatre, the “Owen Theatre,” built in 1936 by Jim Owen, a local float trip operator on the White River, to provide entertainment for the fishermen when they weren’t fishing. It was originally called the “Hillbilly Theatre” and, although originally a movie theatre, is considered Branson’s first “theatre,” movie or otherwise. Its distinctive architecture and beautiful interior stone walls make it one of the most unique buildings in Branson.

Miller goes on to point out that the term “Elvis is in the building” takes on new meaning in historic downtown Branson with two “Elvis” shows right across the street from one another. Dave Ehlert is currently performing “Elvis and the Superstars” in the “Hot Hits Theatre.” He has been performing the show in Branson for 16 seasons with one hour of his show devoted to “Elvis.”

The Kyle Hall family has completely remodeled and restored the historic Owens Theatre right across the street and it is the venue of Branson’s newest Elvis show, “Joseph Hall Presents Eras of the King.” Hall has placed in the top ten of the “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest,” since its inception in 2007, had a top ten finish on “NBC’s America’s Got Talent” in 2008 and is officially recognized by “Elvis Presley Enterprises.” It is two hours of nonstop Elvis, one number after another covering all the eras of “Elvis’ career.

Historic downtown Branson has a variety of restaurants from Thai to good old fashioned Ozarks café cooking. “In fact,” Miller says, “Branson’s oldest cafes and restaurants are located in historic downtown Branson within a block of each other including the “Branson Café,” “Farm House,” “Clocker’s and “The Shack.” Also located within the historic downtown district is Thai Thai Cuisine,” “Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar,” “Rocky’s Italian Restaurant” and Branson’s newest upscale restaurant, the “Level 2 Steakhouse,” located in the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

In terms of shopping, historic downtown Branson has too many opportunities to mention by name, but suffice it to say from the working art studio of noted outdoor and wildlife artist T. Morgan Crain to the unique merchandise of specialty shops such as “Branson Bills Emporium” and the beads of the “Plum Bazaar,” a shopping experience in Historic Downtown Branson is unique and special.

“Dick’s 5 & 10” is not only a one of a kind shopping experience harking back to the old time “5 & 10” stores, but is also one of Branson’s most popular attractions. It’s wide selection of varied merchandise has led some to say, “If you can’t find it at Dick’s you don’t need it.” Historic Downtown Branson also has a horse and carriage ride, a free “Discovery Trolley” that runs through the historic downtown area to Branson Landing and along the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront and the Branson Scenic Railway offering scenic excursions throughout the beautiful Ozark area surrounding Branson.

Keeping Branson’s history and heritage alive is an inherent part of doing business in Historic Downtown Branson. Among other things, Historic Downtown Branson sponsors a number of festivals and events throughout the year. The “37th Annual Plumb Nellie Arts & Crafts Festival,” featuring 200 crafters exhibiting their work, demonstrations, seminars entertainment and special sales by downtown merchants will be held in historic downtown Branson May 21st through the 23rd. Click here for a full schedule of the various events and festivals sponsored Historic Downtown Branson.

In terms of its history and heritage, historic downtown Branson is “The Heart of Branson.” In terms of having fun and sharing in a special unique experience, historic downtown Branson has it all and has it all within walking distance of each other.

For further information on historic downtown Branson or its events please call Historic Downtown Branson at 417-334-1358 or visit their website www.downtownbranson.org. For Branson lodging, show or attraction information or reservations please call Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Sullenger’s Saloon- Branson’s oldest commercial building predates Branson

The Sullenger's Saloon building has been in the same location for over 100 years.

Although Branson did not become a city until 1912 it was platted in 1903. In her book “A Living History of the Ozarks,” Phylis Rossiter said that “Sullenger’s Saloon” was “the first business building to appear in Branson after it was platted in 1903 and is the oldest building still standing in Branson.”

Jo Stacey Albers, coauthor of the book, “Hometown Branson: Early History” with Dorothy Stacey, points out that the saloon was owned by Henry Sullenger and was originally located at Third and College Streets. He moved the saloon to its current location at 123 E. Main Street, on the northwestern corner of Sycamore and Main Streets sometime prior to 1909 because Branson’s main commercial area, called “The Shelf,” was developing in the Commercial Street area a few blocks east of his original location. With the move he was one block east of the Commercial Street and right on the western edge of the Branson’s railroad development.

Soon after it was incorporated on April 1, 1912, an early morning fire, starting in the Commercial Hotel located in the southeastern corner of the intersection of Commercial and Pacific Streets, virtually destroyed all the businesses in the downtown area. Four commercial buildings survived the fire, the Branson Hotel, the bank building located on the northwestern corner of Main and Commercial Streets, the railroad depot and a two story structure near the depot commonly known as “Sullenger’s Saloon.”

According to Albers during its “heyday” Sullenger’s was very popular with the railroad workers and, among other things, was operated as a saloon and a pool hall. Since then it has been
used for different things over the years. These include a boarding house, a collector card shop and its current use, the “Plum Bazaar,” a business that sells beads, custom jewelry, beading supplies, and gifts as well as conducting classes on “beading.”

Albers points out that in the mid 40’s “Mrs. Noel” operated it as a “real nice boarding house.” That use and its current location are ironic because today it is located kitty corner from Branson’s newest “boarding house,” the luxurious 12 story, 293 room Hilton Convention Center Hotel and Branson’s largest and newest major shopping attraction, “Branson Landing,” is located just one block to the east of the building that moved to its current location, over 100 years ago, because of the development of a new retail area to its east.

Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, points out that the building “Sullenger’s Saloon” was in is currently being operated as the “Plum Bazaar.” It is readily visible at the corner of Main and Sycamore Streets, at the foot of the Main Street hill, as one drives to and from Branson Landing on Main Street.

Moon River

“Moon River” is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini in 1961. It was sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Audrey Hepburn, the movie’s star, while the song itself won that year’s Academy Award for Best Song for Mercer and Mancini. The success of the song was responsible for re-launching Mercer’s career as a songwriter, which had stalled in the mid-1950s as rock and roll replaced jazz standards as the popular music of the time.

Mercer and Mancini originally wrote the song for Hepburn to fit the actress’ limited vocal range (Hepburn was not an accomplished and established singer). “Moon River” is introduced by Hepburn during the sequence where George Peppard’s character, Paul ‘Fred’ Varjak, discovers Holly Golightly (Hepburn) singing (with guitar in hand) on the ledge of her apartment during a rainstorm.

Although an original score album to “Tiffany’s” was released, it did not contain Hepburn’s original version. Instead, an album version recorded by Mancini and his chorus was released as a single and became a Top 40 hit. Subsequently, it was released by UK singer Danny Williams, who got a UK #1 with it. Shortly thereafter, Andy Williams would make the song an even bigger hit (even going as far as making it his theme song). Many other artists have recorded it since. It was only months after Hepburn’s death in 1993 that the original version was finally released on an album. Despite Williams’ success with the song, for many Hepburn’s simple recording is considered the definitive performance.

An inlet near Savannah, Georgia, Johnny Mercer’s hometown, was named “Moon River” in honor of this song. Williams later named his production company and venue in Branson, Missouri after this song, whose lyrics read:

Moon River, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style someday
Oh, dream maker, you heartbreaker,
Wherever you’re goin’,
I’m goin’ your way
Two drifters off to see the world
With such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me.
  • In the movie, Holly and Paul perform some petty shoplifting at a five and dime store, stealing a pair of plastic Halloween masks. Appropriately, Holly’s mask is that of cartoon character Huckleberry Hound, a reference to the “huckleberry friend” of the song.