See Also: Missouri Attractions  Lakes & Fishing  College of the Ozarks  Precious Moments
              Eureka Springs  Weddings

BRANSON MISSOURI`s history starts back in 1882 sixty-one years after MISSOURI joined the Union. Settlers were coming to the area seeking and finding plentiful game and fertile land and needing supplies. So in 1882 a jovial entrepreneur named Ruben Branson opened the first general store and post office. BRANSON MISSOURI was named after its postmaster by general agreement of the town folk.

BRANSON MISSOURI thrived for the next 15 years because of the great fishing in the White River. In 1903 the completion of the Iron Mountain and Southern railroad allowed visitors from all over to come and explore the untouched and unspoiled area around Branson.

Harold Bell Wright, a Kansas minister, was drawn to BRANSON MISSOURI because of his health and the untouched setting of the area. He was so impressed with the people and natural beauty of the area that he wrote his best selling book "Shepherd of the Hills" which upon it`s publishing in 1907 drew thousands of new visitors to the area. In 2005 the SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS OUTDOOR THEATRE is celebrating its 47th season of performing the play celebrating Harold Bell Wrights book.

BRANSON MISSOURI continued to grow in popularity as a result of the building of the Table Rock Dam in 1959. Resorts near Branson encouraged visitors to come and enjoy the fishing and see the new attractions in the area. In 1960 Silver Dollar City and The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre opened. Today Shepherd of the Hills is the most performed Outdoor Drama in the United States.

BRANSON MISSOURI boomed again in the late 1960`s when the Presley`s and the Baldknobbers opened the first music shows in BRANSON. By the 70`s motels were going up everywhere and nationally famous stars made the move to Branson following the lead of stars like Roy Clark and Box Car Willie.

Today BRANSON MISSOURI has more theater seats than Broadway and stars like Andy Williams, The Lennon Sisters, Mel Tillis, Glen Campbell, Mickey Gilley, Moe Bandy, Yakov Smirnoff, The Oak Ridge Boys, Neal McCoy and many many more.

BRANSON MISSOURI is rich with state- of- the- art theaters, wholesome family traditions. Ozark beauty and heritage, Southern hospitality, Home Cookin`, Crafts, Bargains and attractions appealing to every generation.

As time goes by, the value of BRANSON MISSOURI stays constant.