Branson (pop. 12,638), a town in the Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri, ranks as a world center of country and contemporary music. Millions of people visit the town annually. Performances of country and other music are the main attraction. Theme parks, shopping malls, and outdoor activities in the area also draw many visitors.
Branson began in 1882 with a general store and post office serving a few families. Its first economic boom came in 1906, when a railroad reached it, and in 1907, when The Shepherd of the Hills was published. This book by Harold Bell Wright praised the natural beauty and caring people of the Ozarks, and attracted visitors. Branson was incorporated in 1912 and has a mayor-council form of government. The Powersite Dam, completed in 1913, created Lake Taneycomo. By the 1930’s, Lake Taneycomo had become a popular vacation spot. The completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958 created Table Rock Lake. Fishing and water recreation increased in the area. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, music theaters, motels, and restaurants were established for the growing tourist trade. Branson’s biggest boom began in 1983, when it started attracting country music stars. During the 1990’s, many contemporary musicians also began performing in Branson.
