on location: midwest ❖
sue arko
BRANSON AT THE CENTURY MARK This Missouri group favorite celebrates its 100th year in 2012 The Branson Landing Fountains, on the Taneycomo lakefront in historic downtown Branson, feature sound, light, fire cannons and 120-foot geysers.
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nown as the “Live Music Show
Near the turn of the century, minister
Capital of the World,” Branson
Harold Bell Wright traveled to the
has been welcoming guests to the
Ozarks for health reasons. He
Ozarks for 100 years. With more
stayed at the homestead of John
than 50 live performance theaters,
and Anna Ross, who became the
three pristine lakes, 12 champi-
characters Old Matt and Aunt Mol-
onship golf courses, a theme park,
lie in his best-selling novel The
dozens of attractions and museums,
Shepherd of the Hills, published in
and a historic downtown district, plus shopping, dining and hotels for every
When Ozark Beach Dam (also called
This vintage scene from the 1940s, looking west onto Main Street and downtown Branson, shows the old bridge over Lake Taneycomo.
Powersite Dam) was built in 1913, Lake
100th birthday and in celebration, 100
ational activities. Branson was incorpo-
became popular with outdoor enthusi-
Days with 100 Ways to Celebrate will
rated as a town on April 1, 1912, but the
asts who came to fish, boat, swim, hunt
take place April through July to show
history goes back more than a half cen-
and enjoy the rugged beauty of the
groups a good time and ignite spirit and
tury before that. The first family attraction
Ozark Mountains. In 1959 the comple-
hope for the next century.
to draw visitors was Marvel Cave, de-
tion of Table Rock Dam created Table
scribed by geologists in the 1860s and
Rock Lake, also renowned for bass fish-
explored in the 1880s by adventurers
ing and water sports.
budget, it is a long-time favorite with tour groups. This year marks Branson’s
Photos Courtesy of Branson/Lakes Area CVB
1907.
Highlights of the Early Years Early settlers were lured by the beauty of the Ozarks and outdoor recre18 February 2012
who lowered themselves on ropes 200 feet into the main chamber.
Taneycomo was created, and the area
The area first gained national attention in the entertainment industry in 1954