The Bald Knobbers & Branson

Neil Sawford • January 12, 2024

The Bald Knobbers & Branson

The Bald Knobbers and Branson


Every visitor to Branson who wants to have a fantastic vacation by participating in enjoyable activities or taking a roller coaster ride in Branson will come to know that the "Baldknobbers" was Branson's first show, "the show that started it all," on April 1, 1912.

However, long before a Baldknobbers Jamboree or the city of Branson was incorporated, the "Bald Knobbers" had already become known in the history and legend of the Ozarks. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in America.

As is often the case, something good ends up going horribly wrong. In 1883, a group of men under the leadership of Nathaniel Kinney established an organization to protect the citizens of Taney County from the criminal activity of the "outlaws" who had moved into the region.

They were known as "Bald Knobbers" due to their peculiar masks and the fact that they initially met in a bald area at the top of one of the mountains in the region. They tragically became their own law, to the point when Kinney shot one of the "anti-Bald Knobber" leaders in "cold blood." Then, they realized their first objective and gained a substantial portion of what is now referred to as "political power."

The Missouri Governor's office ordered the original Taney County Bald Knobbers to disband after their vigilante methods cost them the community's support. Ironically, even though the Bald Knobbers he created had been separated, Kinney was murdered by an assassin hired by an "anti-Bald Knobber" group, and his murderer was cleared in self-defense.

This may have gone unnoticed in history had it not been for Harold Bell Wright's influential book "Shepherd of the Hills," published in 1907 and featured the Bald Knobbers as the adversaries. A case might be made that the book and the tourists it brought to the Branson area to visit the locations it described were the original "sparks" of tourism for the area, which over time blossomed into the Branson of today with everything it has to offer.

The Shepherd of Hills Outdoor Drama, presented in 1959 on the very site where Harold Bell Wright wrote his book, beautifully and inspiringly brought Wright's writing to life. The thrilling, motivational drama's 55th season ended with its performance on October 25, 2014.

An almost football-field-sized outdoor stage, galloping horses, a buckboard, and the "Bald Knobbers," who actually burn a cabin every night, are among the production's standout attractions. The cast includes about 100 actors.

The Mabe family decided to start a show in 1960 to entertain visitors who were arriving in the Branson area as a result of the opening of Silver Dollar City, a new theme park, and the construction of Table Rock Dam, which created the 43,000+ square acre Table Rock Lake. Many intrepid travelers who want to experience a thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson will find this wonderful theme park superb.

In the past, one of the band's founders, Bob Mabe, claimed that the name "Baldknobbers" was his idea and that he had "chosen it from the book." Still, he later said, "I wished that I had said the "Mabe Brothers" instead because there are four of us brothers [Bill, Bob, Jim, and Lyle]."

The Baldknobbers performed in Branson near Lake Taneycomo for the first time in 1959, and they have since continued to amaze audiences with their distinctive song and humor. The family tradition continues to enthrall guests with everything from timeless country music to funny comedy and the hottest songs. The Baldknobbers have a troupe of musicians, stand-up comedians, and energetic vocalists who play modern and classic country tunes and humorous material.

The funniest jokes, your favorite songs, and the best country music are all performed live by them. The relocation of what was formerly family entertainment from the storied Branson City Hall to the well-known Highway 76 Strip contributed to the area's rise to fame as a Midwest holiday destination. The thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson is the next ideal thing to do after watching the Baldknobbers.

The more than 50 theaters in Branson, including live music, comedy, variety, and magic performances, are already known by most visitors. In fact, many won't believe that Branson has more theater seats than Broadway in New York City. With the Mabe Brothers' involvement in the Baldknobbers Jamboree, now known as Branson's Famous Baldknobbers, Branson made its stage debut in 1959.

The first music venue to be built on Highway 76 (commonly referred to as "The Strip") in Branson was Presley's Country Jubilee. The Baldknobbers and Presley's Country Jubilee continue to perform in their original locations along Highway 76 on the Strip. Numerous entertainers, like The Lennon Sisters and The Osmonds, frequently perform in Branson.

Tourists who have just visited this vibrant city don't hesitate to come again because of the numerous top-notch activities it offers, including the thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson.

By Neil Sawford November 22, 2024
Adventures & Shows for Kids & Families
By Neil Sawford November 15, 2024
Hidden Gems of Branson MO
By Neil Sawford November 8, 2024
Why Not Grab Dessert After Your Downhill Branson Adventure
By Neil Sawford November 1, 2024
Branson's Night Life & Night Rides at the Coaster
By Neil Sawford October 25, 2024
Understanding the history of a place is one of the best ways to enjoy its flavor. There are many different types of museums in Branson, MO, that will appeal to people of all ages. It's just one of the many things you can do with your family while on vacation in Branson. You will enjoy the exciting attractions in this popular Midwest vacation destination, including the mountain roller coaster in Branson . So, while in Branson, MO, why not add some museums to your itinerary? Titanic Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Branson, offering a historical tour throughout the year. This world's largest museum attraction will allow visitors to become passengers on this grand ocean liner and experience the tragic maiden voyage through over 400 artifacts and countless exhibits. As you get through the exhibits in the Memorial Room, you will learn about the passengers who died or survived the disaster. This historic Branson attraction is a wonderful place to visit after you have enjoyed an exciting ride with the mountain roller coaster in Branson because the area houses historical treasures as well as numerous priceless artifacts. The sensational tour at the museum takes all visitors through the Grand Staircase, beautiful hallways, first-class staterooms, and 20 different public rooms. This one-of-a-kind museum in Branson has many interesting exhibits that reflect the Titanic's historical background. World's Largest Toy Museum Because it houses millions of toys of various shapes and sizes, the fantastic museum in Branson lives up to its name as the world's largest toy museum. This tremendous museum houses nearly every type of toy imaginable. Everything from collectible Legos to a full-size Rolls-Royce is on display at the museum, which can be a lot of fun for everyone. Toys of all kinds, from dollhouses to Star Wars, can be found in this fantastic museum, where ladies grew up with things for the boys like General Lee items, John Deere memorabilia, and much more. The exhibits inside the museum display over 100 antique toy trains where many of the visitors remember growing up with. This one-of-a-kind museum features a diverse collection of toys dating from the 1800s to today. Beautiful toys from the past and present can be found here. The museum has extensive collections of the vintage ship, plane, and train designs, classic cars and motorcycles, cap guns, BB guns, pedal cars, bicycles, tin wind-ups, dolls, Star Wars, Disney characters, G.I.Joes, trucks, and toy soldiers. The museum's entire collection of toys from the 1700s to the present is a must-see in Branson. Branson Auto & Farm Museum The Branson Auto & Farm Museum is one of Branson's most well-known museum attractions. It was built in May 2009 as a purpose-built museum dedicated to preserving and appreciating historic automobiles. The museum is beautifully nestled in the former "Engler Block" crafts mall, which you can easily access after enjoying a thrilling ride with the mountain roller coaster in Branson. This famous museum for both children and adults is 78,000 square feet and houses approximately 220 automobiles and farm equipment. The museum is divided into sections that wind their way through the building, making it an ideal setting for a museum. Over 100 vintage cars and tractors are on display at the Branson Auto & Farm Museum, many of which are for sale. The museum's car and farm inventories change regularly, so if you're not satisfied with the current displays, just come back another time. The museum houses a two-row wooden corn planter made by Brown Company in 1853 and an early 1900s wooden steam engine. The museum also features a favorite piece, a 1950s Chevy Nomad, a station wagon with a distinct shape. Branson Dinosaur Museum If your children enjoy seeing dinosaurs, bring them to the Branson Dinosaur Museum, which is the only place in Branson, MO, where they can see and learn about the exciting and towering creatures. Lifelike replicas of many dinosaurs allow visitors to get up close and personal with these creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago. This museum, which is beautifully located on Highway 76 on the Strip next to Wal-Mart, features evidence and facts about some of the most powerful animals that ever lived on Earth. See the life-sized dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals sculpted by artists. This museum houses one of the world's largest collections of prehistoric animals, ranging from a two-story-high Tyrannosaurus Rex to a tiny 12-inch-tall Microraptor. The fantastic dinosaur recreations will provide you with hours of entertainment and excitement. At the Branson Dinosaur Museum, you can watch educational films in a high-definition movie theater. After a day of exploring museums, a large dinner, a leisurely hike, and a thrilling ride on the mountain coaster in Branson , you'll want to do nothing but relax at home.
By Neil Sawford October 18, 2024
The Science Behind Roller Coasters Because of technological advancements, roller coasters are becoming more prominent, faster, and scarier. The gravity-propelled Branson mountain coaster , for example, provides a modern sort of entertainment. Unlike the first roller coasters, which were built in the mid-1880s, they were used to transport coal from the mountains to the town of Pennsylvania. Those coasters were rented out on weekends by fare-paying riders who rode just for amusement. Theme parks are thriving nowadays. But, with waits as long as eight hours for an average ride of lesser than two minutes – not to mention accounts of riders suffering strokes, brain deformity, and catastrophic injury as a result of crashes — how can we put up with it? What is it about roller coasters that some people adore, and is it an experience we get tired of as we get older? The desire to enjoy various innovative and intense physical experiences such as rock climbing and parachute jumping is linked to roller coaster enjoyment. But what is it about roller coasters that make them so appealing? At first look, it may appear to be due to speed experience. However, the evidence for a relationship between sensation seeking and speed is weak. For example, driving at speeds beyond the legal limit is something many individuals do, not only thrill-seekers. Perhaps the attraction of the Branson roller coaster is the visceral experience of terror itself, similar to viewing a horror movie. The "fight or flight reaction" refers to physical indications of fear such as a racing heart, quicker breathing, and an energy surge generated by the release of glucose. Researchers who recorded riders' pulse rates on the double-corkscrew Coca Cola Roller in 1980s Glasgow discovered that a roller coaster ride is likely to elicit this response. Heartbeats per minute more than doubled from an average of 70 before the ride to 153 shortly after it began. Some senior motorcyclists came dangerously near to what would be considered medically risky given their age. In another adrenaline-pumping activity, beginner bungee jumpers not only reported heightened sensations of well-being, wakefulness, and happiness immediately after completing a jump. They also had higher amounts of endorphins in their blood, which are widely known to cause emotions of tremendous pleasure. Surprisingly, the higher the endorphin levels, the more blissful the jumper reported feeling. In this case, there is clear evidence that people appreciate the sensations associated with the fight or flight response in a non-threatening situation. Pleasure vs stress Bungee jumpers also had higher amounts of cortisol, which is known to rise when people are stressed. So, how can a person feel both worry and pleasure simultaneously? The answer is that not all stress is detrimental. Eustress – derived from the Greek "eu," which means "good," as in euphoria – is a type of stress that people intentionally seek out. Thanks to a fascinating study conducted by two Dutch psychologists, we now know that a roller coaster ride can be described as "eustressful." They were curious about asthma, specifically its relationship with stress. After noting prior research findings that stress causes people with asthma to view their asthma symptoms as more severe, they wondered if administering eustress could reverse. As a result, several asthmatic student volunteers were transported to a theme park and rode a roller coaster while their respiratory function was tested in the name of science. The research findings were astounding. While the yelling and general turmoil diminished lung function, it also reduced the sensation of shortness of breath. This shows that thrill-seekers who ride roller coasters regard the experience as stress-free. The role of dopamine However, roller coasters are not for everyone. Could variations in brain chemistry explain sensation-seeking behavior? The bungee jumper experiment suggests that those with higher endorphins experience higher degrees of euphoria. However, no evidence resting endorphin levels may explain sensation seeking; they are more likely a reaction to the thrill than a predictor of whether we love it. On the other hand, a recent analysis looked at the role of dopamine, another chemical messenger component in the brain that is essential for the proper functioning of neurological reward circuits. According to the study, people who have higher amounts of dopamine also do better on tests of sensation-seeking behavior. While this is a correlation rather than causality, another study discovered that administering haloperidol, a drug that alters dopamine's actions within the brain, resulted in a substantial drop in sensation-seeking behavior. This line of research raises the intriguing notion that appreciation of severe physical events, such as roller coaster rides, reflects individual variances in brain chemistry. People with higher dopamine levels may be more prone to various sensation-seeking behaviours, ranging from harmless roller coaster rides to drug use or even theft. People like a Branson roller coaster for various reasons, including speed, conquering fear, and the sound effects connected with a significant increase in physiological arousal. For generations, people have been willing to pay money in exchange for the thrill of a terrifying ride.
By Neil Sawford October 11, 2024
Beyond the Theme Parks Lies Runaway Mountain Coaster
By Neil Sawford October 1, 2024
Foodie Guide to Branson MO
By Neil Sawford September 20, 2024
Outdoor Branson Adventures
By Neil Sawford September 13, 2024
Rivers, Lakes, and Caves: The Ultimate Outdoor Guide to Branson
More Posts
Share by:
Update cookies preferences