Branson, Missouri
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| Branson, Missouri | |
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| Nickname: The Live Entertainment Capital of Missouri | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Counties | Taney, Stone |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Raeanne Presley |
| Area | |
| - Total | 16.3 sq mi (42.3 km²) |
| - Land | 16.2 sq mi (41.9 km²) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Elevation | 778 ft (237 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 6,050 |
| - Density | 374/sq mi (144.4/km²) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 65615-65616 |
| Area code(s) | 417 |
| FIPS code | 29-07966[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0739970[2] |
| The Live Entertainment Capital of the World | |
| Website: http://www.cityofbranson.org/ | |
Branson is a city in Stone and Taney counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named for Rueben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s.[3]Historically, Branson was a small city. Today it is sometimes referred to as a "Family-Friendly Las Vegas" because of the numerous shows and attractions, as well as the flashy building decorations and neon lights. The population was 6,050 at the 2000 census. The Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area embraces Stone and Taney counties.
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[edit] History
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This section may contain an inappropriate mixture of prose and timeline. |
In 1882 Rueben Branson opened a general store and post office. In 1894 William Henry Lynch bought Marvel Cave outside of the town and began charging visitors to see it. In 1907 Harold Bell Wright published The Shepherd of the Hills set in Branson. The story about life in the Ozarks and skirmishes with the vigilante Bald Knobbers was a national bestseller and tourists began visiting the city.
In 1912 Branson was formally incorporated and construction of the Powersite Dam nearby on the White River which would form Lake Taneycomo was completed. In 1947 work began on Bull Shoals Lake on the White River. In 1949 Artist Steve Miller created a Nativity scene atop Mount Branson overlooking Lake Taneycomo. The Nativity was quite a spectacle; some figures reached heights of twenty eight feet. By 1953 the lighting of the scene was so popular that the Chamber of Commerce began hosting an Adoration Parade that continues to this day.
In 1950 Hugo and Mary Herschend bought Marvel Cave and began hosting square dances in it that were televised on Red Foley’s Ozark Jubilee. The Herschend Family also began to modernize the cave with electricity and cement staircases. In 1959 construction of Table Rock Dam began. The Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree Show began. The first show is in the Branson City Hall with 50 folding chairs.[4]
In 1960 the the Herschends opened Silver Dollar City, an above ground attraction at Marvel Cave consisting of a recreated frontier town of five shops, a church, a log cabin with actors playing out the feud between Hatfields and McCoys. The Old Mill Theater began its first outdoor production of Shepherd of the Hills. The Presley family began a music show in the Underground Theatre which would become Talking Rocks Cavern. In 1963 Table Rock Dam on the White River was completed creating Table Rock Lake.
In 1967 the Presley family became the first to move the Highway 76 "strip" and would be joined on the strip in 1968 by the Baldknobbers. This would eventually grow to more than 52 theaters in the area -- most on the strip. The Presleys were to say later that if the new theater did not work out they "could use the building for boat storage."[5]
In 1983 Branson began its transformation into a major draw when the 7,500 seat Swiss Villa Amphitheatre opened in Lampe, Missouri. The theatre which was later renamed the Black Oak Mountain Amphitheatre before utlimately closing in the early 2000s proved there was a market for large music gatherings -- ironically starting out as a venue for rock bands Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Steppenwolf, and Ozzy Osbourne.[6]
Also in 1983, Roy Clark opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre, becoming the first famous country music star to have his own venue in Branson. It was the first actual theatre in Branson to have theatre seating. Roy Clark helped inspire a trend which would eventually cause Branson to become the important center of live music performance that it is today. Many of the celebrities that have played in Branson, first played at the Celebrity Theatre. A whole series of larger theatres opened within short order. In 1987 Box Car Willie became the first entertainer with a permanent schedule in Branson.
In April 2008 Table Rock Dam and Table Rock Lake reached a record level of 933.4 feet, the flood control gates were opened to release 48,500 cubic feet of water per second.
[edit] Live Entertainment
The foundation of the entertainment industry in Branson has humble beginnings. Several family groups opened shows in various Branson locations from city hall, roller skating venues to natural caves.[7] The Mabe family lays claim as being the first, but was shortly followed by the Presley, Braschler and Plumber families. These families have laid the foundation for other family groups such as the Haygoods, Duttons and Warnocks; while also helping to attract national known headliners.
Today there are over fifty theatres producing over 100 live shows. Theatres are no longer metal storage containers. They cost several million dollars and come in many shapes and sizes. The largest is known as The Grand Palace, with seating for over 4,000. The Palace has one of the largest laser systems in America and eighty feet above the audience, various harness and trapeze equipment allow entertainers to fly, even parachute from the ceiling to stage.[8] Following closely behind the Palace is the 3,200 seat Mansion. Andy Williams performs in a twelve million dollar 2,000 seat theatre featured in Architectural Digest. Mr. Williams’ theatres exterior is covered in lush waterfalls and Koi filled ponds, while the interior is decorated with million dollar works of art by artists ranging from Jackson Pollock to Andy Warhol.[9] Shoji Tabuchi’s theatre is known for its exquisite million dollar restrooms filled with crystal chandeliers and gold leaf pool tables.
Entertainers who have or had established theatres in Branson are Roy Clark, Lowe Sisters, Boxcar Willie, Cristy Lane, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mel Tillis, Mickey Gilley, Jim Stafford, Ray Stevens, Andy Williams, Bobby Vinton, Charlie Pride, Lawrence Welk, Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando, Barbara Fairchild, Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Yakov Smirnoff, Osmond Family, Glen Campbell, John Davidson, Moe Bandy, Loretta Lynn, Shoji Tabuchi, The Duttons, and The Hughes Brothers. Famous Celebrities in Branson have included Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, Phyllis Diller, Rich Little, Ann-Margaret, Lennon Sisters, Charo, Dino Kartsonakis, Petula Clark, Robert Goulet, Captain and Tennille, Pat Boone, Gladys Knight and Shari Lewis. In the spring of 2006, the surviving members of the original Bill Haley & His Comets began a long-term residency at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.
Branson has also played host to several production shows, some with big named celebrities and others simply known for their choreography. Direct from Las Vegas the Country Tonite show was quickly joined by Legends in Concert. Other shows have included Will Rogers Follies, The Promise, Spirit of the Dance, Cirque, Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Opening its doors in 2008 is the Strasburg, Pennsylvania based Sight and Sound Theatre’s production of the musical Noah. A theatre is being built specifically for the companies large productions that include live animals, elaborate sets and a 300 foot wrap around stage.
[edit] Vacation Destination
Over the years Branson has grown to include more than 100 live shows in nearly 52 theaters; other tourist attractions include museums, three pristine lakes, 12 championship golf courses, year-round festivals and events, nearby mountains and wilderness areas.
Other local attractions include Celebration City, Dixie Stampede, White Water, an IMAX Theater, Big Cedar Lodge, Titanic Museum, Showboat Branson Belle, Chateau on the Lake, The Shepherd of the Hills, Stone Hill Winery, Ride The Ducks, Branson Landing, the Tracks and Splash Country.
In 2006 the Titanic Museum joined nearly a dozen other area museums. The Titanic Museum includes artifacts from the actual wreck. Also on display are models of the ship, a full scale replica of the grand staircase and recreations of various rooms of the ship, in addition to eye-witness accounts of the events that occurred.
Another museum in Branson is the American Presidents Museum, one of only six similar museums in the nation, the American Presidents Museum showcases the lives and Presidency of those that have led the United States. The American Presidents Museum is under the direction of the National Center for Presidential Studies, a private non-profit educational organization. [1]
Branson Landing opened in the summer of 2006 on the Lake Taneycomo waterfront in downtown Branson. The lakefront project includes retail space with Bass Pro Shops and Hudson Belk as anchors in an outdoor shopping mall of 100+ stores and restaurants. "The Landing" as it is also known contains a boardwalk as well as a fountain that performs hydrotechnic shows every 15 minutes. Also, every hour on the hour, The Star-Spangled Banner, Moondance, or Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh is played. In addition the site also offers condominiums located above the retail space, and a Hilton hotel sits at the key entrance of it all. The new Branson Convention Center, which is situated between the Landing and Historic Downtown Branson, opened September 7, 2007.
In June 2007, As the World Turns shot on location in Branson, venues included Silver Dollar City and the Moon River Theatre.
Developers are laying out plans for Pinnacle Falls to be located adjacent to Celebration City off of Highway 76. The first Phase, a $250 million dollar European-themed development, is planned to open in 2010 and will contain year-around attractions including an indoor water park, aquarium and themed restaurants and shopping.
[edit] "Family-friendly Las Vegas"
A quote from The Simpsons goes as far as Bart saying "My dad says it’s like Vegas — if it were run by Ned Flanders."
Originally envisioned as a center for lumber shipment from the Ozark Mountains, the city began to develop tourism in the 1930s. Today, Branson is a major national destination in the United States with a well-known reputation for live music theaters. The city hosts three major amusement parks, as well as live theaters that house everything from comedy and magic shows to variety music and dancing. Built along a portion of Route 76 nicknamed "The Strip" because of its Las-Vegas-style roadside neon signs, Branson has built its reputation as the family-friendly version of its Nevada counterpart.
[edit] Demographics
As of the 2000 census[1], there were 6,050 people, 2,701 households, and 1,661 families residing in the city. The population density was 374.0 people per square mile (144.4/km²). There were 3,366 housing units at an average density of 208.1/sq mi (80.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.50% White, 0.84% African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 4.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,701 households out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,997, and the median income for a family was $43,145. Males had a median income of $31,769 versus $21,223 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,461. 12.1% of the population and 9.7% of families were below the poverty line. 15.6% of those under the age of 18 and 17.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] External links and references
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Branson Travel Guide and Travel Information - Lonely Planet
- ^ Baldknobbers History
- ^ Branson singing a new tune - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - May 20, 2006
- ^ Fire damages former concert stage in Stone County - ky3.com - October 4, 2007
- ^ Jamboree Show History http://www.baldknobbers.com/history/
- ^ Grand Palace Information http://www.thegrandpalace.com/tour/default.asp
- ^ Moon River Theatre http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/22/lkl.00.html
- Branson, Missouri is at coordinates Coordinates:
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