The Railroad, A Book, And A Dam
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 many 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.
About the Author: Using her writing as paint on the canvas of her life, Holly Bliss is an eclectic writer, a seasoned traveler - thanks, in part, to her military husband - and an author on http://www.Writing.Com/
which is a site for Creative Writers.
© 2003-2006 Holly Bliss. All Rights Reserved. This document may be freely redistributed in its unedited form and on the condition that all copyright references are kept intact along with the hyper linked URLs.
Tags: Branson, fishing, Missouri, shopping, travel