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Preparations
for the construction of Table Rock Dam began in 1954, and were
completed in 1959. In the same year that Table Rock Lake was complete
the Mabes family from Springfield,
Missouri
began the Ozarks Jubilee, a music show. Beginning in the basement of
Branson
City Hall, folding chairs were set up to accommodate fifty people.
Silver Dollar City, so named for the
change first given customers, was opened in 1960 by the Herschend
family, with a single street of shops and a stagecoach ride.
Tourists came in growing numbers to enjoy
the big new lake, the Herschends' 1890's Silver Dollar City theme
park, and the Trimbles' new outdoor theater at the Shepherd of the
Hills Farm.
In the late 1960s another
musical family – the Presleys, set up a
simple metal building on the road west of
Branson
and began to entertain the tourists. 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
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 more.
Branson
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.
Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains,
Branson
holds claim to three mountain fed lakes surrounded by millions of
acres of unspoiled mountain wilderness. The pristine natural
surrounding brings millions of visitors each year.
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