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→History
==History==
==History==
Branson was hard to get to until 1903 when the Missouri Pacific Railroad came through. The town was an originally center of the lumber industry, which faded after 1930. Paved highways were built in the 1920s, making Branson a jumping off point for city folk who made recreational trips to the mountains, lakes and fishing spots. Entrepreneur Jim Owen opened the Hillbilly Theater in 1934, revealing the demand for live entertainment with an Ozark theme. Chicago businessman Hugo Hischend opened a cave attraction in the 1950s. After his death his family, inspired by Disneyland, opened the Silver Dollar City theme park in 1960 that replicates an old mountain village. Besides numerous rides, it continues to feature a chapel, regular church services and a saloon that serves only soft drinks. Two country music theaters opened in the late 1950s. Starting with Roy Clark's Celebrity Theater in 1983, country music became dominant. Country musicians rushed to Branson, seeing the opportunity to set up their own theater. Johnny Cash, Louise Mandrell, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and many others came, often looking for a second chance after their earlier stardom had peaked. As more performers arrived, more tourists came and attended the other shows as well. By the early 1990s Branson was the world's country music performance capital, second perhaps only to Nashville.
Branson had limited access until 1903 with the arrival of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The town was an originally center of the lumber industry, which faded after 1930. Paved highways were built in the 1920s, making Branson a jumping off point for city folk who made recreational trips to the mountains, lakes and fishing spots. Entrepreneur Jim Owen opened the Hillbilly Theater in 1934, revealing the demand for live entertainment with an Ozark theme. Chicago businessman Hugo Hischend opened a cave attraction in the 1950s. After his death his family, inspired by [[Disneyland]], opened the Silver Dollar City theme park in 1960 that replicates an old mountain village. Besides numerous rides, it continues to feature a chapel, regular church services and a saloon that serves only soft drinks. [[Presleys' Country Jubilee]] opened the still-operating theater in 1967 on the Highway 76 "Strip." Now in their fourth generations, the Presleys performed some five times weekly as the theater.
The area remains a major outdoor recreation center. Thousands of city folk have summer cabins in the area, and retirement homes are growing. Factory outlet stores have grown. A major new airport opens in spring 2009, making Branson more accessible to distant visitors.
Starting with Roy Clark's Celebrity Theater in 1983, [[country music]] became dominant in Branson. Country musicians rushed to Branson, seeing the opportunity to set up their own theater. Johnny Cash, Louise Mandrell, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and many others came, often looking for a second chance after their earlier stardom had peaked. As more performers arrived, more tourists came and attended the other shows as well. By the early 1990s Branson was the world's country music performance capital, second to [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]].
The area remains a major outdoor recreation center. Thousands of urban residents have summer cabins in the area, and retirement homes are growing. Factory outlet stores have grown. A major new airport opened in the spring 2009, as Branson became more accessible to distant visitors.
==Tourists==
==Tourists==