Branson Changes

by Dale Grubaugh

I heard a TV preacher say the other day, “I hate change!” There are shore times when I can agree with his sentiment! Although in this day and time, frustation over change can be, well, mighty frustratin’.

Livin’ in the Branson area for the past thirty-five years, I have seen a lot of change. Some for the better, and some — well — the jury is still out to my way of thinkin’.

But I’m mighty glad I was around to see the change — mainly because I can remember how things were when I first came to this part of the Ozarks.

In those days, Highway 76 was just a two-laned road that wandered through the hills.

Where 76 and Hwy 13 intersected, there was just a little store where you could buy gas, a few groceries and fishin’ tackle. It wasn’t called Branson West or Lakeview back then. It was just the crossroads as I recall.

There wasn’t much between the crossroads and Silver Dollar City ’cept for the orchard and a farm known back then as the Pace Farm.

The house later became known as the Wooden Nickle Restaurant.

There was a big tree that the owners of the restaurant constructed the building around.

They surrounded that tree with a salad bar. I had to laugh a little first time I ever ate at the restaurant. I had eaten many a meal in that farmhouse and sat under the shade of that old tree long before it ever got moved “inside.”

At Silver Dollar City, you could tour Marvel Cave, ride the train and a stagecoach, climb up into the treehouse and float through the Flooded Mine. Watchin’ the street shows was one of my favorites!

And there were, of course, the craftsmen makin their wares and plenty of music. When you stepped through the Hospitality House, it was like steppin into another world: a world where the term “hillbilly” wasn‘t an insult but badge of honor!

As 76 wandered east from Silver Dollar City, ya drove past an old cemetery and then the home (and antique store) owned by Chick Allen and his wife. They were sure fine folks that made a young stranger feel mighty welcome.

Next, ya came to The Shephard of the Hills Farm. They offered tours of the farm and at night ya could watch the outdoor drama. Back then, most (if not all) the performers were native Ozarkians. Many of them were kinfolk of mine.

Inspiration Point didn't have a big tower on it then — Just some picnic tables, the concrete statues of the main characters in Harold Bell Wrights story, and beautiful cedar trees. The best part was a magnificent view across Mutton Hollow unmarred by road construction or buildings.

Good old 76 wandered on down around Dewey Bald. Up on the left, — pointing east — was a sign on a big flat rock that read “Sammy's Lookout.”

At the bottom of Dewey Bald ya came to Mutton Hollow Craft Village. Folks learned a lot about hillbilly livin’ there.

Jim Lane’s Cabin sat on the right side of the highway east of Mutton Hollow. Not a big place but mighty purdy. On the left was a field that I believe was used as a landing strip for private airplanes.

On east was the Corn Crib Theatre (another outdoor theatre that wasn't real big). The stage was a log cabin front porch. Guests sat on benches made from chunks of oak logs with rough cut 2x10s stretched between them. Shad and Molly Heller were the owners and main characters in this hilarious outdoor vaudeville act!

The country (or hillbilly) music shows were the Baldknobbers, the Presleys, the Plummer Family, the Foggy River Boys, the Campbells’ Ozark Hayride and the Bob-O’Links Country Hoe Down.

There wasn’t a lot of flash but it shore was a lot of fun!

One of my favorite places was called the Fun Spot. It sat where Grand Country Square is now. It was the original arcade in Branson.

As a teenager I spent a lot of time and money there. carnival rides, skee ball and bumper cars were just a part of the Fun Spot. All that remains as a reminder is the indoor golf course there now.

There was a drive-in theatre over on Highway 248 (as well as the Owens Movie House in downtown Branson).

There was a big stand of yellow pines on the south side of 76 that was mighty purdy!

And yes, there was a handful of motels and eatin’ houses.

Highway 76 went on east across Taneycomo, but if ya didn’t make the turn at the bottom of what we call Hamburger Hill — and went on straight — you wound up in Lake Taneycomo.

There were several resorts along the lakefront, the Eagle Hotel, and a big park. Now, it’s pretty much long gone. That shore was a mighty handsome place.

You could catch a ride on the Sammy Lane and cruise the lake. Maybe even get heldup by the local hillbilly pirate if you weren’t careful.

It was all simple but it shore was a lot of fun. I’m glad I was able to experience Branson before it got all growed up.

Some remember even further back. And some remember as I do. It is unfortunate others will only be able to read about what was.

’Till next time,

Elias Tucker

February 27, 2011